I’ve said it a million times: nothing – nothing – has inspired my prayer life like having a husband and children.
I don’t know about you, but these days, I’m prayin’ all day long: from the constant whispers of, “Thank you, Father! She is adorable! You are a genius!” to the panicky, “Oh-yikes-oh-yikes-oh-yikes! She’s JUST. LIKE. ME. Help, Father!!”
A household of precious people and animals keeps a woman’s heart busy!
How quickly I have learned that prayer is the most effective way to look “well to the ways of my household”. (Proverbs 31)
Prayer keeps my heart enveloped around my husband as he dives into a new project at work; it keeps my mind ruminating over my daughter’s character development as she dances through the day; it even keeps me attentive to the safety and health of our animals. Prayer keeps me trusting and leaning on our Heavenly Father to hold us in the palm of His hand, and to build our home the way He sees fit.
And so it is that the most powerful way our daughter will “look well to the way of her household,” is to care and pray about each individual in her domain. May we lead our daughters to pray for their households today so that they will do so in the future!
The youngest of little ladies can pray daily for each member of her family as well as for her future husband, children, and home.
My daughter’s heart grows in love, forgiveness, and genuine concern as I kneel by her side and ask, “What virtue do you want our Father to give to your sister? Pray for her; and we’ll both encourage her when we see God answering our prayer!” Or, “How are you grateful for Daddy today?” Let’s thank our Father for him!”
To establish the habit, consider writing the names of each family member on one index card (or, for the visual learner, create a card that includes each person’s photo), followed by the words “future husband,” “future children,” and “home”. Guide your daughter to express her personal desires or feelings about each individual; help her to select an appropriate scripture; and support her as she prays to her Father. When she prays about the future, guide her away from Hollywood versions of “wishing”; guide her towards standing confidently on promises in Scripture. For example, though she cannot know for she that she will marry, she can certainly pray that if she should marry, her man would receive God’s love, believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, walk in integrity, honor his parents, and on and on!
What a beautiful thing for a woman to lift up her household towards her Father: to trust and lean, fuss and plead, laugh and dream.
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So true! Thank you for this important reminder.
Beautiful post.
Great reminder! Love the idea of making the cards!!
Beautiful reminder.
Thank you so much Laura! Gee if I didn’t have company I think I would do this right now with my older 2 daughters. Not the youngest as she doesn’t talk yet(still working on crawling!)
You are an inspiration, I sure wish I lived closer to you so we could have those chats and work side by side.
I know what you mean. Nothing has reminded me of my utter dependence on the Lord like being a wife and mama.
with only boys i have started to try and apply the same things in them,just with a boy twist! they are a joy!!
Thanks, all, for stopping by!
Theresa, I hope you have found a sweet moment to pray with your 2 older daughters. I just know it will rock their world!
Tara, I’d love to hear more about the “boy twist”! Since I don’t have any sons yet, I just don’t think along those lines yet… anything different you’d add??
What a wonderful post! I love these thoughts.
This article brought back many memories I had when raising my children at our old farm home. They all love the country now and enjoy animals and many wholesome activities.
Almost all are Christians. A 13th grandchild should be here this week. I shall never regret being a full time wife, Mom and homemaker. I still find it very challenging even though I am a widow now. Enjoy your role as woman, wife, Mom and homekeeper. There is nothing as important than that with people. Enjoy the Lord most of all and obey Him in following the ancient/old paths He requires.
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