The Backyard Prayer: Your Quiet Spot Is a Perfect Place to Talk to God

Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Sunday. I hope today is a slow one with your family before the week kicks back in. Have you ever had a spot that's just yours? The one you walk to when you need to be alone for a minute. Maybe it's the corner of your backyard near the fence. Maybe it's the top of your treehouse. Maybe it's that patch of grass between the house and the bushes where nobody can see you. The place you go to think, or kick at the dirt, or just breathe. You go there when your house is loud, when you got in trouble, or when you just want it to be quiet for a minute. Most kids use that spot for everything except talking to God. I'm Pastor Justin, and this episode is all about the spot you go to be alone, and what God already wants to do there. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: your backyard, treehouse, or quiet corner is a perfect place to talk to God. Listen to this from Matthew chapter 6, verse 6. This is Jesus talking. "But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Religious leaders back then made a huge show out of praying. They stood on street corners. They used loud, fancy words. They wanted everyone to see how holy they looked. Jesus is basically saying, you don't need a stage. You don't need an audience. You need a quiet spot and an honest heart. A lot of kids think prayer only counts if it happens at church. Or right before dinner with the whole family. Or at bedtime when you're already half asleep. Those are good. Jesus is opening up something bigger. He's saying, take it where it's just you. If Jesus were sitting on the grass next to you in your backyard, He'd smile and say, "Go to your spot. The one I've already seen you go to. I'm there waiting." Sunday afternoon. The grass is warm. The dog is doing dog stuff. You walk to your corner. Maybe it's a tree. Maybe it's a swing. Maybe it's the patch of dirt where you used to dig as a little kid. The place that feels yours. You sit down. And for the first time, instead of just sitting there, you actually talk to God. Hey, this week, here are a couple things you could try. First. The spot move. Pick one spot you already go to. Decide that is your prayer spot. Then actually go there at least once this week and talk to God. Second. The talk-like-you-talk move. No fancy Bible voice. No special words. "God, hey. This is what's going on with me right now." He understands kid talk. Third. The listen move. After you talk, sit there for one minute and just be quiet. Don't reach for your phone. Don't fill the silence. The point isn't to feel something huge. The point is to learn that sitting still with God matters too. Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Your backyard, treehouse, or quiet corner is a perfect place to talk to God. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if you want more encouragement like this throughout the week, come follow us on Instagram. We post simple reminders, clips, and content you can share with your kids anytime. Hey, before you go, let's answer this question together. Where is your spot, and when this week could you go there and just talk to God? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.