On My Knees
I was flipping through the pages of one of my old journals today and came upon some prayers I had written for my children. Suddenly I burst into tears - literally great, heaving sobs - as I realized how God in His faithfulness had answered those prayers.
I should make something clear here. I don't pray surface prayers - "Lord. give them health, wealth, great success, and happiness" kind of prayers. Of course I want those things for my children but I want more - so much more - for them than that. I want a deeper spiritual walk, a greater passion for Christ, a hunger for God's Word, a consuming, compelling love for unbelievers, a compassion for their brothers and sisters in the Lord. I want them to have perseverance and strength for the long haul. No, my prayers for my children go far deeper than the surface circumstances of their lives. Which, of course, is asking for "trouble"!
My son called me the other day and said, "Mom! Stop praying! I want you to send me your prayer list - don't pray anymore until I approve what you're praying for me." He was kidding (I hope).
While I ache for my children as they encounter trials and challenging circumstances of life, on another level I also rejoice, and pray harder that they will learn the lessons God has for them in each situation. It's a little like praying for patience - you just know God is going to send opportunities for you to practice walking in the Spirit and producing that fruit - which of course means life is going to get complicated and quite likely frustrating! It also teaches us that we can't rely on ourselves and must rely on God.
So - Sorry, Son. No censoring of the prayer list. Call it love - or 'knowing what's best for you' or maybe - 'payback'?
All for Him
Missy
I should make something clear here. I don't pray surface prayers - "Lord. give them health, wealth, great success, and happiness" kind of prayers. Of course I want those things for my children but I want more - so much more - for them than that. I want a deeper spiritual walk, a greater passion for Christ, a hunger for God's Word, a consuming, compelling love for unbelievers, a compassion for their brothers and sisters in the Lord. I want them to have perseverance and strength for the long haul. No, my prayers for my children go far deeper than the surface circumstances of their lives. Which, of course, is asking for "trouble"!
My son called me the other day and said, "Mom! Stop praying! I want you to send me your prayer list - don't pray anymore until I approve what you're praying for me." He was kidding (I hope).
While I ache for my children as they encounter trials and challenging circumstances of life, on another level I also rejoice, and pray harder that they will learn the lessons God has for them in each situation. It's a little like praying for patience - you just know God is going to send opportunities for you to practice walking in the Spirit and producing that fruit - which of course means life is going to get complicated and quite likely frustrating! It also teaches us that we can't rely on ourselves and must rely on God.
So - Sorry, Son. No censoring of the prayer list. Call it love - or 'knowing what's best for you' or maybe - 'payback'?
All for Him
Missy
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posted by Missy at
12:01 AM
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