My prayers for her have changed. In the earliest days of mommy-hood I bombarded Him with prayers for her protection. Desperate prayers, whispered with fear at their root.
But the motive behind my intercession has changed. Granted I do not want to see my children hurting. My mama fury comes out when I hear of her broken heart. And to think of her encountering deep wounds tears at my core.
However, it has been through my own valleys that God has proven Himself faithful. In walking through darkness His glorious light shines ever-bright.
Do I truly want to pray away possible circumstances that are meant to strengthen and develop her faith in the Almighty?
So in these formative years I ask that He plant His word as seeds in the soil of her heart. And that I would be faithful to do my part in the sowing. I want her to know and trust His relentless love saturating the pages of scripture. And then I look at Him to teach me how to further pray.
Jesus taught that the Father knows our needs before we even speak them, therefore we are to pray this way…
First, remind our own hearts of who He is–secure on His heavenly throne worthy of continual praise.
Then, believe. Believe His will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” Believe Him to provide for our needs and forgive our filthy deeds, “as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Believe Him to be our protector, deliverer, and ruler “forever and ever. Amen.” {Matthew 6:8-15}
It’s there I rest, trusting Him to be good. That His great love motivates His will. That He never leaves or forsakes His own. That if He indeed leads my precious firstborn into a desert, His arms will carry her through.
“Fear not, for I am with you,” declares my Lord.
What motivates your prayers for your girls?
How have your prayers changed over the years?
12 Comments
How very challenging Lara! How very different to think about this in regards to our girls!
It is, Stacey. Huge challenge next to our deceptive hearts. But I think that is the rest He promises. The rest that comes in trusting His sovereign love over our children. I hope to believe Him faithful down whatever roads I have to walk as a mom. Blessings, friend.
lara recently posted..believing Him active when it feels He must be static
I now pray that I give her the good foundation of God to make her life what he wants it to be. I have faith in him. I don’t pray for what I want for her. I pray that she is happy and full of the wonderful life that God has planned for her.
She is six. I see so much in her. I am so blessed.
Amy Morgan recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
Laying that good foundation. So key. Thanks for sharing.
lara recently posted..believing Him active when it feels He must be static
The Lord has really been working on my heart in this, showing me areas of fear and selfishness in my prayer life. Truthfully, I’m still wrestling through this, but I’ve settled on the fact that prayer for my children is an expression of my love. I still pray for healing and all kinds of protection, but also pray with a heart surrendered to God’s will.
Melissa recently posted..Do They Know Your Story Part 1
I absolutely love what you said. “Prayer for my children is an expression of love…with a heart surrendered to God’s will.” I think you nailed it. It’s the heart behind the prayers for protection and healing. A heart resting in His faithful will and relentless love. So well said, Melissa.
lara recently posted..believing Him active when it feels He must be static
This is so true Lara. My prayers really have changed and I am sure they will continue to. I remember being so afraid when they were infants and they were sleeping. I had so much fear as a new mother and trying to do everything right.
Amy recently posted..BBQs aka Sloppy Joes
Fear paralyzes, doesn’t it? I guess that’s why he commands us to “fear not.” It is to our benefit to believe him faithful. Blessings, friend.
lara recently posted..comparing my to-do list with His
I love this. The only thing we see the disciples asking Jesus in the gospels …is how to pray. You’ve brought that reality to us moms today. Thank you.
Sara recently posted..Treasures Of The Darkness
That’s so true. They wanted him to teach them how to pray. Guess we should listen to his instruction. How I can be so slow to learn.
lara recently posted..comparing my to-do list with His
Today I was holding my girl’s shoes while waiting for her to come down from brushing teeth before school, and as I looked at how big they’ve gotten, yet how small they still were, I began praying…one of those foundational prayers you mention…and I prayed for her feet, for God to guide the footsteps, guide her in her choices about where she walks now as a 7 year old, and in her future, walking always towards God. I love your post, and thought I’d add my experience of today.
Joni recently posted..A southern gal is always ready to entertain
I love that her shoes prompted you to pray for where her feet would go. Great encouragement for us to be thoughtful in the moments.
lara recently posted..comparing my to-do list with His