21 Prayers

Today is the 21st anniversary of the day Stephen and I became parents.  It’s been a wild ride, my friends. Those of you who are parents know exactly what I mean. Unpredictable, uncontrollable, terrifying, and exhilarating.  The intensity of all the emotions can just be too much; it almost was too much for me. But my sanity was saved the moment I had the “AHA! Moment”. Maybe you had yours- do you remember as clearly as I do? For me, it changed my entire perspective. Here it is-

God’s work in my child’s life does not depend on me.  

It’s kind of a “no duh” more than an “aha”, but let me tell you- it was liberating for me to realize that God will use my foolishness and wisdom, successes and failures, good decisions and bad.  And he will use other people, circumstances, his word and His Spirit to call my children to him just as he has called his children throughout time. He is neither limited by nor dependent upon me.

When this truth penetrated my stubborn and foolish head all the way to my heart, it did two things for me.  First, it helped me relax. It was not all up to Stephen and me. I didn’t quit caring, but I did quit carrying a burden that was too much for me.  

Second, I poured myself into prayer with a new purpose. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and endless trying, I became free to pray with hope and confidence- in God, not myself.

I absolutely do not know how parents make it without the certainty of God’s love for their children, and the assurance that he hears our prayers. I have seen my mistakes redeemed, my foolishness covered over, my harmful behavior forgiven.  I have seen my kids grow in ways that should not have been possible, and were certainly no thanks to anything Stephen or I did. 

And so today I reflect on 21 of the most impacting prayers that I have offered on behalf of my kids, in no particular order.  Some have not fully been answered, but many have been.   

I prayed that my son (and his siblings as they came along)…

1. would love the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. 
2. would learn to love others as himself
3. would grow in wisdom….
4. faith…
5. health….
6. and in his ability to relate to people

I prayed that…

7. his spouse would grow up in the love of God
8. his spouse would be strong enough to handle his nonsense
9. any plans that lead him away from God would fail
10. when he does something that does not honor God it would come to the attention of the person who can most effectively lead him back to Christ
11. I would be the mom he needs me to be
12. I would parent him as a fellow sinner walking the path with him
13. his dad and I would be wise in the decisions we make that affect him
14. he would learn to choose wisely 
15. he would choose a career that allows him to use his talents and passions to glorify God and advance God’s kingdom
16. he would see himself as uniquely created to serve God in a way only he can do 
17. he would be surrounded by others who point him to God
18. he would be a good friend and mentor to others
19. he would grow in his love for and understanding of God’s word
20. he would love his church family and find his place to serve in the context of a local body of Christ-followers
21. our family would be a haven of welcome and acceptance for him and for his friends

What are some prayers ways you have prayed for your children? I would love to hear them.

#prayersformychildren #theycallmemomIcallmeblessed