Prayer Prompt #9: A Prayer for When You Accidentally Let the Ugly Out

I have some beautiful parenting days.  My children and I laugh, play, hug and enjoy each other until the day ends with gratitude and snuggles.

And then there are days when I see my own vices bubbling up in my children . . . which pushes buttons I didn’t even know I had . . . until I lose my cool, my patience and my kindness all at once, and all my good intentioned mothering gives way to a messy meltdown that takes everyone out with it.

Ugh! Who is this woman?? But the mirror confirms that it’s me and I remember that the flesh is still at war with the spirit within me (see Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:7-25).

I remind myself that if God has grace enough for me, then I also need to have grace enough for myself.  I make no excuses and no room for wallowing.  I repent, I let God fix this messy heart, and I seek reconciliation with my children.

I find hope and encouragement by acknowledging that there is only one Perfect Parent, and it is not (most definitely not!) me. That name belongs to God the Father and Him alone.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. I bring you my sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, and ask that you create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. In Jesus’ name, amen.*

* Psalm 51:1-2, 10, 16-17

Prayer Prompt #8: Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

At first glance, there are few things that I do without ceasing. But beneath my conscious behaviors, many biological activities run automatically and continually.  My lungs expand and contract in a rhythmic in...out; my heart pumps blood to my organs in a steady thump thump thump; a myriad of cells and organs are doing what God designed them to do - day in, day out, uninterruptedly, continually -- without ceasing.

Prayer is not so different. Prayer is to spiritual life as breathing is to physical life: so necessary that it should be automatic and continuous. Like breathing, prayer should be an act of my very existence.

And moms, we certainly know that are no shortage of things for which we need to pray.

Dear LORD, give me a heart that seeks You in prayer.  Remind me of my continuous need to commune with You, abide in You, speak to You, hear from You, worship You.  Put words in my mouth when I’m too tired to think. Put faith in my heart to believe what I ask is possible in Jesus' name. Increase my dependency on You that will drive me to pray without ceasing. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #7: Pray as You Plant

“How do you do that, Mom?”

My 4-year-old looked at me with wide eyes. After reading the story of the crucifixion in our children's Bible that evening, I had explained that if we put our trust in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross, we would be forgiven our sins and live with Him forever in heaven.

His question was earnest, and he listened intently as I explained how one could pray to put his faith in Jesus. I held my breath. And then he spoke again:

“Look, Clancy fell on the floor!” and he dissolved into giggles.

Now, Clancy is a stuffed animal crab, and I had no clue why his falling off the couch was so funny, but one thing was for sure: today’s spiritual conversation was simply a seed planted.

As we shuffled down the hall to get ready for bed, I thanked God for the conversation and prayed a prayer I’d prayed many times before…

Dear LORD, the timing of my children's salvation belongs to You. Cause all of these planted seeds to take deep root in their hearts and bring a harvest of salvation in Your good timing. Give me discernment to one day recognize that “today is the day of salvation” for their souls and prepare me to lead them down a clear path to eternal life, should You give me that privilege. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #6: Not Just "Because I Said So!": A Lesson from the Samaritans

[The Samaritans] said to the woman [who met Jesus at the well], “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 4:42 NIV

I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to sow seeds of faith into my children's lives. Yet, like the Samaritans, my children need to encounter Jesus personally and decide for themselves that He is God’s Messiah. That's not something mom can do for them.

Dear LORD, give my children ears to hear Your voice and recognize Your loving hand upon their lives. May they each have their own personal encounter with You and decide for themselves that You really are the Savior of the world. In Jesus’ name, amen!