I was watching and listening to an interview with Jodie Berndt on Focus on the Family.
She quoted Jean Fleming and gave a wonderful “A List” of ways to pray for ourselves
and our children. I applied the ideas with my own prayers below.
1. Acknowledging our need
2. Admit any areas of resentment
3. Accept God’s Design
4. Affirm His purpose in creating the child for His glory
5. Ally ourselves with God’s plan
1. Whenever I pray, I have to admit that I don’t have all the answers. I am not God,
and my thoughts and ideas are not as high as God’s. I need to come to THE ONE
who made my child and has the answers. Lord, you are the Holy One. You know
that I am in need of You and Your Presence now. Thank you for letting me come
to you and enjoy your love, and wisdom today.
2. Resentment is hard to admit isn’t it? I have to stop myself and realize that my
resentment is keeping my blessings back. I need to stop, look and listen as God
shows me my own heart and my brokenness. Thank you, God for showing me any
areas in my mind, soul and memories that are holding on to resentments and
bitterness. I release my mind to you know, Lord. I let go of hurts and
disappointments and unmet expectations.
3. God’s design is always more intricate and amazing than we can understand or
imagine. We are blessed to live at a time when giant hubble telescopes can show
more of God’s design in outer space and amazing electromagnetic microscopes
can show God’s handiwork in the DNA and sub atomic particles. Surely a God
who can do those things knows what is happening in my home today. Lord you
fashioned our family and our children with your loving hand. Thank you for
putting us together. Help us to blend and bond into what you want us to be.
4. I think our greatest job as parents is to help our children perceive how God is
working in them and through them. Father, thank your for the “bent” and
blessing of my child. Help me to train and teach in the way that you have shaped
this one. Use me to prepare this child to be an important part of your kingdom.
Show me the way this child should go, so when he/she is old she will not depart
from it.
5. As I ally myself with God, I will work humbly along side of the Holy Spirit. Then
things will flow…I choose today to work with you as you form my children into a
reflection of yourself on this planet. Help me to reflect your presence over this
child. Let the Fruits of Your Spirit explode in our home today as we work with you
in your plans for our family: loving one another, joyful in our hearts with
peaceful minds. Help us to be patient with each other using words of kindness and
focusing on the goodness. Teach us to use gentle words faithfully as we exercise
self-control.