My 5 Prayers

Every night, when I lay my wee ones down to bed, I take the time to individually wrap my arms around each, hold them a little bit tighter, listen to the stillness of their breathing, and whisper a sweet prayer over their being.

Its such a special time, and one that I know I will wish I had more slowly cherished. SO I try to remember that during the hustle and bustle of life, during the pre-dinner time meltdowns, and during the days and day and days that I am stuck in my house due to snow.

About a year ago, I began asking God to make my prayers more purposeful, asking Him to give me divine direction over how I could directly pray for each of my children. And God delivered. In a big way. I now pray sweet prayers over my children every night, as I hug them closely, and try and recite the Scripture promises that God gave me with each prayer.

So here they are, in no particular order, but all very important to my mothering heart.

1. I Pray the Lord would begin preparing the hearts of my children to accept salvation at a very early age.
I pray that my children will never say no to the God that loves them even more than their mommy does. When they feel that quiet, yet all-important tug at their heart that they would whole-heartedly and willingly be ready and able to accept, believe, and commit. I pray that they are young enough to bypass a life full of disappointment, hurt, and confusion that is known when navigating without a Savior; yet old enough to remember that moment in the heart forever and never waver on that decision. I also selfishly pray that I am nearby, ready to jump, shout, and celebrate that relationship shift from parent/child to sister/brother in Christ.

Ephesians 3: 17-19
These children are rooted and established in love; we pray that they may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ towards them, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.

2. I pray for boldness in their faith.
I pray that my children not only walk with the Lord, but do so in a manner worthy of it's calling. I pray that my children are not afraid of the Gospel, and are willing, ready, and able to share with whomever comes down the path. I pray that they are not ashamed, but rather are anxious that no one miss out on a life with Jesus and a life full of promise.

Mark 4:20
The hearts of our children are like good soil, they hear the word, accept it and produce a crop….100 times that which was sown.

3. I pray that God would call them to something great.
I pray that my children will do BIG things for His name. That they would be STRONG and courageous, devoted to a life of furthering the kingdom. As I hold each of my sweet babies, I can only imagine the greatness that God has for them, and I pray, so hard, that they would surrender to that greatness. That they would never fear it, but realize their potential as Christ works through them.

1 Timothy 4:12
No one will look down on our children because they are young, but they set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity.

4. I pray over my children's future spouses.
I earnestly pray that God would begin preparing the hearts of my children, and the hearts of their future mates. I pray that God would protect both of their hearts as they save themselves - mind, body, and soul - for each other. I pray that they would both be rooted in the Lord and when the time comes, that they would both be running the race of the Lord, at the same pace and towards the same prize. I pray that they would be obedient to their parents, practicing submission, and so that they may live a long life with each other.

Ephesians 5:1 and 21
Our children will be imitators of God and live a life of love. They will submit to others out of reverence to Christ.

Ephesians 6:1,2
Our children will obey their parents in the Lord. They will honor their father and mother so that it may go well with them and that they may enjoy long life on earth.

5. I pray during any and every trail, they would turn to You.
I wish I could pray that they would never see the down-hill side of a hill. I wish I could brush them under my wings and protect them from any harm, hurts, or hiccups. But the truth is, I cant. Trials are going to come, trials that MUST come for the maturing and growing of their faith. Trials that will try and overtake them, and try to rip them apart, and trials that will leave them with a broken heart. I pray that they would turn to the only ONE who can mend that broken heart. I pray that they would be so rooted in the Word, that they are prepared for any battle and every arrow the enemy tries to throw. I pray that I would be able to be a good example of such a daunting task. So much of me wants to throw my hands in the air and give up, as Satan works overtime to steal, kill, and destroy. But I know that if I don't show my children what a firm foundation in faith looks like, they may never see themselves as capable of doing so. I pray that they would not make the same mistakes as their mommy, but rather turn to God for ultimate comfort during all times.

Psalm 1:1-3
Our children do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly or stand in the path of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. But their delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law they meditate day and night. They are like the trees planted by the rivers of water, which yield their fruit in season and whose leaf will not whither, and whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 91:9-16
Our children have made the Most High their dwelling place. No harm will befall them; no disaster will come near their tents. For He will give His angles charge over them to guard them in all their ways. They will carry them so that our children do not dash their foot against a stone. They will tread upon the lion and the cobra; they will trample them underfoot. Because our children love You,
You will deliver them, You will set them on high. They will call upon You and You will answer them, You will be with them in trouble, You will deliver them and honor them and with long life You will satisfy them and show them Your salvation.

1John 4:4
Greater is He that is in our children the he that is in the world.

As I pray these things over my children, I am constantly reminded of the great task God has entrusted ME with in raising three beautiful, wonderful, sometimes ornery children into a nurturing relationship with Him. I sometimes (OK, maybe often) feel incapable and undeserving of such a task, but for some reason He has given it to me. Therefore, I (and all of us parents) must be faithful in carrying it out with all diligence and purpose. Keep up the good work all your parents out there, and don't forget - Great is OUR reward (Psalm 127:3)!