My becoming a mother began with a simple prayer. A simple, yet specific prayer.
Lord, please use my body this day to bear a child for your kingdom~this I pray in Jesus’ name. ~Amen~
I wrote this prayer down on June 14, 2001. On June 14, 2002, I gave birth to my first child. I bore a child for his kingdom. God used me as a vessel, on that day. That day that I prayed, “use my body this day“, was June 14. When I prayed “this day”, I wasn’t thinking God would literally use “that day”, June 14, to specifically answer my prayer; that I would literally bear a child. Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of getting pregnant that day.
I found that journal entry about 2 years ago, and when I read the prayer and saw the date I had written it, I almost fell off my chair. I don’t believe that was an accident or coincidence. I believe that God truly answered that prayer the way it was specifically prayed. I didn’t put much thought into the exact words as I wrote them. I didn’t expect God to give me that child exactly on the date I prayed for her. He exceeded my expectations. He went over and above what I imagined He would do.
Fast forward to today. I now have five children; 2 girls and 3 boys. They each have very different needs. At times, I don’t even know them all. My daughters are 8 and 2. My 8-year old is coming into a time in her life when her needs are becoming greater. In fact, I struggle to keep up with them all. I am not speaking of so much of physical needs, but of spiritual, emotional, and relational needs. I can only help meet these needs head on, by being a mother of fervent prayer.
Prayer is such an important and powerful element in raising our daughters. We, as mothers, need help with direction, guidance, wisdom, patience, love, and the list goes on. Our daughters need answers to tough life questions; understanding of the world they are growing up in. They need to know God loves them, even when they mess up. Being in prayer for all of these things is so foundational to guiding them in the right direction. There is nothing too specific to pray for. In fact, the more specific you get, the better.
Our daughters are in need of our prayers, every-single-day. So, what can we pray for?
Here is a short list of ideas. It is by no means exhaustive:
- struggles she may be facing
- fruit of the spirit to manifest in her life
- the future–tomorrow, Jr. High, High School, future husband, marriage, and children
- a love and passion for serving Jesus Christ
- God’s strength to resist temptations
- God would direct her steps
- her heart would be open to Him
- ways she needs you to love her (ask God for direction)
The reason I shared my above story with you was to show you how God answered a prayer, very specifically. Do not be afraid to pray for specific areas or needs. Each child is unique and her needs will be as well. Prayers don’t need to be long, repetitive, and drug out. But they should be often.
I want to challenge you today: Become a mother of prayer; a mother who spends significant time pleading and fighting for her daughter(s), because let’s face it, we can’t do this on our own–and neither can they.
A Mother’s Prayer Calendar, from Kat of Inspired to Action
As a side note, I would like to cordially invite you all to join us on Fridays, at Joyful Mothering, for a weekly Homemakers Challenge. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with your daughter(s) on different aspects of homemaking. It can provide you with a weekly project you and your daughter(s) can work on together.
We will begin [again] next Friday. To view past challenges, you can click the button below. Please feel free to do them and link up! It’s never too late.
By Christin, Joyful Mothering
<a href=”http://pixosphere.com/photos/christin/14535″ title=”Journaling by LN by ekhum, on Pix-O-Sphere”><img src=”http://farm.pixosphere.com/photos/christin/14535_500.jpg” width=”500px” alt=”Journaling by LN by ekhum, on Pix-O-Sphere” /></a>
