Month: April 2017

A new beginning brings us to ancient words.  I love that the next series of prayers focuses my mind on commands that bind me to millions of moms in every age on every inhabited continent.

It seems that with the record we have of God’s work, we would never think of allowing anything to take HIS place in our hearts- but that’s just not the way it is.  The most ancient commandment is still a challenge, even though the mystery has been revealed and the unimaginable scope of God’s love expressed on the cross and through the resurrection.  As our prayers take us through the Ten Commandments this one….this one can never be left behind.

Father, there is truly none like you.  We are foolish to try to replace you- forgive us, and reveal to us our foolishness.  I pray my children will know you, love you, and glorify you as the one true God for all their days. #prayersformychildren

I have a two part prayer for you, kids whom I love. As usual, it’s about truths that I still- and probably always will- pray for myself.

First, the resurrection means we are no longer slaves to sin. Oh, the struggle is real, and it may last your lifetime. I don’t know why it is that way, but I know that Jesus died and broke the chains so that we are free to fight. Maybe that’s actually the answer- maybe in the fighting we get stronger, and we grow into the person God created us to be. I don’t know. But I do know we are free.
And second, Jesus came back in his resurrected body with scars. I don’t understand everything about his resurrection; why didn’t his followers recognize him for so long? But then they eventually did? So he must have been changed in some ways, even though he could have come back perfect, with all the horrible signs of his suffering removed.

But he didn’t. Jesus came back with scars. And as much as I don’t want it to be true, you too will be scarred. I’m scarred. Our sin, our mistakes, the injustices we experience leave us broken, bruised, and far from perfect. But our scars- they bind us to Christ, and they create a bridge binding us to each other. Yes, this is a broken and fallen world. But Jesus rose from the dead, and that changes everything.

Thank you for the cross, Lord. Thank you for breaking the chains of sin through your  life,  death and resurrection. Thank you for returning with your scars, the horrible beautiful signs of your suffering.  Father, I pray these kids whom I love would know deep in their hearts that they are free from the bonds of sin. I pray that this knowledge and your Spirit would power their fight against the Satan, and that their scars would remind them of your victory, drawing them closer to your. Father, may these children of yours live the truth of victory, healing, and bridges formed by scars.  #prayersformychildren

I’m afraid I forget.  I’m afraid that I want to go straight to the empty tomb, the surprise and overwhelming joy of the resurrection. But we can’t let ourselves do that, can we?

Our joy loses it’s wonder if we move past the scandal and tragedy of the suffering, the injustice, the shockingly bold illegality of the suffering Christ chose out of his love for us.  God’s love is fierce- and it’s never revealed to its full extent until this week, these days, these final hours.  And if I skip over all of this because I can’t wait for the happy ending, I lose the power of his love for me.

Father, I pray we would remember. I pray that we would be outraged, scandalized, and horrified when we contemplate the injustice of Christ’s last days. I pray we would never become numb to the tragedy.  I pray this for these children whom I love, and I pray it for myself.  That we would stop, and think, and mourn, and remember that your love is bigger, and stronger, and longer suffering than anything the world has ever known. #prayersformychildren

Truer words were never spoken. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” cried the crowds, but did the people saying these words really believe them? How could they, when only a few days later they were caught in a whole different mood, yelling “crucify him!”?

It sounded so good, so right on Palm Sunday. But what was underneath couldn’t have been true faith. How did it collapse so quickly? Maybe the crowds were too attached to their own ideas of kingly behavior, and they did not realize that the path to true victory led through suffering.

The Easter believers- now that’s a whole different story. Gone were the crowds, the jubilation, the confidence.  Instead, we find a few faithful friends who were confused but seeking, uncertain but present when Jesus showed himself alive. They had no answers, but when Jesus showed up and started explaining the whole story they were there, listening.

Father in heaven, may we be like the faithful friends of Resurrection Morning.  I know my kids, these kids I love so much will have times of questioning and even suffering. I pray, Father, that during those times they will seek you more; that their faith- our faith- will make us like the believers who kept coming back to the last place they saw Christ.  I pray that we will keep seeking, keep asking, keep looking so that we can receive your comfort and feel the power of your presence through every circumstance.  #prayersformychildren

“A person without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.– Prov 25:28

The Spirit is growing this beautiful fruit in our lives- but how do we make sure we are nurturing it?  That’s where self-control comes in and, thankfully, blessedly, the Spirit even helps us here.  If we are willing, God gives the power.  And where self-control grows, all the fruit of God’s spirit flourishes.

Father, I know self-control is something only you can give. As the walls of a city are built brick by brick may we receive this gift and build our walls, protecting our hearts by your power.  I pray we would never neglect the daily care and attention that this gift, which you so generously provide, requires in order to flourish.  #prayersformychildren