One of God's Gifts to Us

Children are God’s gift to us!  We are simply the caretakers!

As I conclude this month’s topic of prayer, I want us to ponder this question.  When should a mother begin praying for her child?  (Continued from Coincidence? I say not! & Commit in 2011)

In Jeremiah 1:5 The Lord says “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.”
Psalm 139: 15-16 "My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was wove together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."

These scriptures lead me to believe that it is never too early!  If you are planning to have a baby, now is the time to begin praying.  I began seeking God’s will for me to have children before they were conceived.  I continued praying for my children when they were in my womb.  Since my children were born, I have prayed aloud for them.  Touching their feet, I pray for God to go before them wherever they are led to go.  Touching their bodies, I pray for good health.  Touching their eyes and ears, I pray for the things they will hear and see to be good influences.  Touching their mouths, I pray that their words will be glorifying to Christ.  Touching their hands, I pray they will use them to be servants and the hands of Christ.  Touching their heart, I pray for their salvation.

It wasn’t long ago that I wondered if my children ever became tired of hearing me pray.  I routinely pray for them before I drop them off at school.  On one particular morning, I had the thought that maybe I should just pray silently for them.  I decided otherwise.  When I finished the prayer, my oldest child looked at me and said, “Mama, thanks for praying for us.”  God confirmed to me that my children covet my prayers!

INTERESTEING FACT:  The first recorded prayer of a woman in the Old Testament was Hannah praying for a child (1 Samuel 1:11).

God has entrusted our children to us…pray earnestly for each of your children all of their lives!  Pray for their salvation, health, safety, temperament, friends, future (or current) spouse & many other areas of their life.

**If you do not have children of your own, pray for those you influence.  One of my very best friends does not have children of her own.  However, she spends a lot of time with mine.  They love her more than she will ever know.  Many times I think what she says and does influence them more than me!  (Thanks Julie for your love and prayers for my children!)

Lord, Thank you for granting me with 2 miracles of life.  Empower me to effectively pray for my children and encourage and discipline them with words of love.  I thank you for Tad’s salvation and continue to pray that Dawson will come to know you as his Savior and Lord.  I know that I am not perfect, but I am submitted to you.  I ask that as I follow your example, they will follow mine and become men of prayer.  Amen