 “God sets the lonely in families...” Psalm 68:6a (NIV)
Today, sweet friend, there may be a place of loneliness etched into the recesses of your heart. Maybe you don’t have blood family living near you, or somehow they are simply not able to come alongside you in your motherhood journey. God promises to place the lonely in families. It’s a verse I clung to in our adoption process, but it isn’t just a verse for adoption. It’s a verse for each of us. God designed us for community. Family may look different and isn’t always a blood relationship. Today, I pray with you, asking God to place family where you need it most and provide a community of believers to come alongside you as you raise your children. Lord, I praise You and thank You for promising to place the lonely in families (Ps 68:6). You desire us to be in relationship with others and did not create us to be alone. Your Word tells us that two are better than one (Ecc. 4:9). So today I pray for the family I do not have through blood relationship. You know exactly what I/we need. You know the loneliness weighing heavy on my heart. I ask You to bring to me/us just the right family. Would You open my eyes and ears to see and hear those around me who You have created to be that family? Whether through our church or our community, I pray You would bring people who know and love You deeply so that, together, we can follow You and shine Your light amidst the darkness. May You be the cornerstone of our relationship and the glue that holds us together, providing both encouragement and celebration. Would You alone be our guide, our wisdom, and our love? I pray all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. -Lori
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 Letting go. A hard thing for Mamas, but when we know our children are God’s masterpiece equipped for the good He planned long ago, the hard becomes doable.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) Fear can get in the way of our children's freedom, but a Mama who prays can break the chains of fear holding them back. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) Resiliency. Something we all need to bounce back from the difficulties of this world. We can pray for a spirit of resiliency in our children. “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NLT) We pray for many things when it comes to our children, However, the most important should be that they follow hard after Jesus. If that is the only thing they have, everything else will eventually fall into place. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) We desire respect and honor from our children. God designed this way to be good. What example are we providing for our children? Praying for ourselves to honor our parents is equally as important as it is for us to pray for our children to do the same. “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 (NLT)  “Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 (NLT)
I knew I’d have to deal with honor and respect the first time my son looked me fiercely in the eye and shouted, “No!” It’s an inevitable part of motherhood. But as often as we desire our children’s honor and respect of us, how often do we intentionally examine the model we provide for them? Honoring our own parents isn’t always easy. Maybe our childhood was dysfunctional at best. Or maybe it was wonderful, only we have a tendency toward taking the wonderful for granted. Let’s pray for us and our children today. Praying for Ourselves and our Children to Honor our Parents: Father, thank You for the gift of family. As I grew in my Mother’s womb, You wrote my days in Your book of life (Ps. 139:16). You created my life and the very intricacies about me including the family line from which I come. Whether my life was spent with the family who bore me or who adopted me, You placed me there. Sometimes I forget that truth and forget everything You do is good and has meaning. Lord, at times I struggle. Whether due to distance, busyness, or pain from circumstances, I forget that You have commanded me to honor my mother and my father (Ex. 20:12) and that my doing so pleases You (Col. 3:20). Challenge me where I tend to forget to show my love in action. When dishonoring words cross my mind, place a holy filter upon my lips, giving me words to lift up, encourage, and honor the parents You have given me. Where resentment or grief lay hidden in the recesses of my heart, replace them with forgiveness and peace. Let me be the example for my children and may they hold tight to that example, bringing it forward from generation to generation. In Your precious name I pray. Amen. -Lori  “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
As Mamas, we get wrapped up in worry. Concerns about the right school, good grades, success in sports, music, or the arts fill our minds. We worry about whether this rule or that one is “fair,” if our children are well-liked, or if they will finish college. I’m not saying those things don’t matter. They do. But they certainly don’t matter more than whether or not our children follow Jesus. You see, when they follow Jesus, everything else falls into place. When their hearts get broken or they fail a test, Jesus gives them a comma where the hurt threatens to plant a period. He shows them they can learn from mistakes and get stronger through refinement. He shows them He will take all things and work them together for a good that is better than anything they could have imagined. That is something, my sweet friends, we Mamas must pray for … Praying for our Children to Follow Jesus: Dear Jesus, I praise You as the giver of life. You created (child’s name) and know every hair on his/her head. You love (name) beyond measure and have a good plan for his/her life. Today I pray my child reflects You in his/her everyday life. You have called (name) the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13). May he/she remain flavorful all his/her days and not be distracted from his/her purpose by the things of the world. I claim (name)’s life will be marked by the light of the world. May his/her light never be hidden, but instead shine Your hope, love, and truth brightly. As he/she shines through his/her words and actions, may he/she always give You all the glory (Mt. 5:15-16). Father, my greatest desire is for (name) to follow You. I know if he/she does this, all else will fall into place. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. -Lori  “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NLT)
I’m left awestruck by the way the Lord intricately and uniquely forms not only our minds, abilities, and strengths, but our weaknesses as well. He gives us each purpose and a fulfilling joy when we discover and put that purpose into action. However, the sin of our world selfishly inflicts pain into the minds and souls of the most innocent, disrupting God’s perfect design. It leaves our precious children with wounds that can create apathy, an inability to see the future, and a void where determination and motivation may have flourished. But Mamas, we can pray … Praying for our Children to Have Resilience: Dear Jesus, I pray a spirit of resiliency fills my child. The enemy desires to see (child’s name) fail to reap all the harvest that is rightfully his/hers. But Your Word says, “For (name) is God’s masterpiece. He has created (name) anew in Christ Jesus, so he/she can do the good things He planned for him/her long ago.” (Eph 2:10). The mountains before (name) present much to overcome. But with You, he/she will overcome them. I claim Your promise that says “…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is (name)’s through Christ, who loves him/her” (Rom 8:37). With You as his/her strength, the struggles become a bridge to living out a life of significant impact for Your kingdom. May the gifts You have given (name) not be wasted, but awaken in him/her a deep awareness of the plan You have for his/her life. May he/she no longer back down, give up, or rebel against challenges, but instead receive each challenge, stepping forth as a resilient child of the one true King. May You pour Your blessings and favor upon his/her efforts. Lord, may I witness my precious child living a life fully embodied by the gifts You have given him/her. May I see the fruits of his/her efforts evident in his/her daily life. And may I see joy dance across (name)’s face and settle in his/her heart. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. -Lori  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
It’s difficult to watch our children struggle through fear. We see how it holds them back from experiencing life to the full. As Mamas, we can storm the heavenlies with prayers to equip us as we parent and prayers to free our children from the chains of fear. Praying against our Child’s Fear: Lord, As I rest my eyes upon this child You allow me to parent, I’m overwhelmed by the responsibility. I know You are the answer, not me. You are the power in all things. Lord, I pray specifically for the fear I’ve witnessed in (child’s name). I see it threaten his/her freedom. Father, I ask You to fill (name) with a spirit NOT of fear but one of power, love and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). I ask You to defeat fear by binding the enemy and canceling his power in my child's soul. I pray for You to nestle deep within his/her heart. May (child’s name)'s knowledge and relationship with You grow deeper each day, paving a path of peace and freedom from fear. I pray for You to be his/her courage. For Lord, I know You are my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1). I receive and claim every promise of peace for my child. I thank You and praise You in advance, Lord, for the freedom my child will someday have by the power of Your Name. I also thank You for the path You will set before me as the mother of my unique child. I know that You will open doors that need opening, close doors that need closing, and fill my mind and actions with the wisdom needed each step of the way. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. -Lori  “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
I know it’s hard to let go. To slowly relinquish the tight grip of control we adapted to so easily when handed the gift of Motherhood. That little being that once demanded our help for every single thing – the one who became our heart living on the outside -- now needs us to begin the long journey of letting go. It feels almost impossible, yet we know it’s part of God’s plan for passing one generation to the next. So Mama, it’s time we begin to let go of the bubble wrap in which we’ve so carefully placed our children. It’s time we allow them to sharpen their skills and become who God intended. Prayer Against Parenting with Fear: Dear Father, You marvelously created (child’s name) and allowed me the gift of Motherhood. My heart desires nothing more than to serve as a beacon of light, protecting and preparing him/her to live out the purpose for which he/she was created so long ago. (Eph 2:10) I ask You, Father, to alert me when I begin parenting out of fear. Give me eyes to recognize what I am doing and courage to choose trust instead of fear. I know You did not fill me with a spirit of fear, but rather with power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). Fill me with Your wisdom, God, so in the moments when quick decisions must be made, I clearly see the path You would have me take. When I veer too far toward an over-protection that would hinder (name)’s development, bring me back to a healthy place. Jesus, I love You, I thank You, and I put my trust in You. In Your precious name I pray. Amen. -Lori  “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his Temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of prayer, which ushers us into your presence. We long to know you and love you more. In the midst of motherhood, however, it can be difficult to seek you above all other things. Help us grow to DESIRE you above the distraction of our screens and the duties of our daily lives. Make us creative as we DEVISE a realistic plan to meet with you each day, and in the midst of our mothering help us turn our plan into a reality. And lastly, Lord, guide us to DISCOVER a personal prayer language that will deepen our daily walk with you. Dwelling here in Your presence is a beautiful place to start each day. May we be filled with awe as we enjoy the loveliness of Your face, and may we delight in Your glory and grace. As we gaze on Your beauty, may we sense your delight. With an open heart, we receive Your amazing grace in a fresh, new way so we can offer this beautiful gift to all we come in contact with his day. Amen. -Amy  “How can a young man keep his ways pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments.” Psalm 119:9-10 (ESV)
When my children were young, I decided the greatest virtue I could pray for them was “purity.” If this became their aim early in life, they’d be set up for great success later in life, especially for marriage. I talked often about purity of heart and mind. I challenged them to make it their highest aim. I truly believed hitting this mark would allow all other things to fall into place. Until God spoke one morning. “You are missing the mark, Beloved. Make ME their highest aim, not purity. Make me the bullseye, for everything else is a moving target.” I sat in silence, convicted. Purity had been held out to me as a teen. And I missed the mark. Suddenly, it all became clear. My aim was a word, not The Word. My aim was a purity plan, not the person of Jesus. We miss the mark when we stand on shifting sand. Thankfully, the Rock is available to our teens. And as their parents, we have been given the privilege of training them in the way of wise living by inviting the Word, who is Jesus, to become big in their lives. The world is clamoring to trip them up and capture their hearts, but it is no match for our beautiful Savior. May God be so attractive to our teens that all other pursuits grow dim. Lord, Parenting teens can be one crazy ride. They grow more independent each day, but they still need our covering. They have answers, but Your wisdom and guidance are needed all the more in their decision making. May You grant us wise words to point them in the right direction so that their feet will be firmly planted on The Rock that never shifts. Amen. -Amy  “The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)
“You’re the one! We’ve prayed for you everyday for 21 years; we just didn’t know your name!” I stood there speechless. My husband had just proposed to me hours earlier, and this was my future father-in-law’s response. Me? They’d been praying for me for 21 years? I don’t even pray for myself everyday. His declaration sealed three things upon my heart about the power of praying into the future for my children: 1) Praying into the future puts God's long-range faithfulness onto our short-sighted radar. Often, my prayers are for immediate demands. I long for God to snap His finger and magically remove an irritation or fill an immediate need. But God longs for relationship, and this takes time. Therefore, His delays are for deepening my walk with Him. 2) Praying into the future settles my heart that God will be at work in my childrens’ lives even when His movements are hidden. God is busy. Though we can’t always see what’s around the corner, persisting in prayer on their behalf reminds us that He is already there waiting as they round the next stage of their life. 3) Praying into the future reminds me that my children are ultimately the Lord’s. We all have hopes and dreams for our children, but offering them back to the Lord each day reminds me to loosen my grip on any attempts to control or manipulate their circumstances. He’s got their future. They’re in the best of hands! Lord, I long for my prayers to be effective in the lives of my children. They are yours. I place them back into your hands, fully knowing you are writing their story for your glory. Their future is in your hands. I trust you to meet their needs today and in the days to come. Amen. -Amy |
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December 2018
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