Scratched into my journal this dark, quiet morning...
Father, I lift my children up to You. Father, my biggest desire and prayer for each of my children is that they would grow in love and fellowship with You as they grow in stature. That they would always understand the depths of Your love for them. That they would commit their lives to walking in the light and serving You in whichever way You call them.
Father, I pray that You would show me, as their mother, how to speak to their hearts. Show me how to love them deeply and fully. I pray that I would be able to discern their God-given abilities and talents and encourage them in those areas.
Father, sometimes (too many times, I'm afraid) I have the habit of tearing my children down with harsh words and bad attitudes. God, I don't want to be that kind of mother. I want to be a grace-filled mother who encourages her children. Who speaks softly and tenderly to them. Who guides them with a loving hand into Your truth, Your light.
Oh, but, Father, this does not come naturally to me. But You already know that. So help me, Father. Help me to not exasperate my children. Help me to discipline firmly but tenderly. Help me to speak to their hearts. Help me as I deal with the areas in which they struggle. Instead of getting frustrated with them, I pray that I would be able to see through their difficult places and see into the depths of their hearts.
I pray that I would be able to identify the needs in their life. Help me to focus on and encourage them in the areas in which they are strong and build them up in the areas in which they struggle.
God, I do not want to be an authoritative, gavel-beating, whip-lashing mother who turns the hearts of her children from You. I want to be a Spirit-filled, grace-filled, mercy-filled, love-filled mother whose words and actions lead my children to You.
In the power of Your Son's name, Amen.
3 comments:
This is lovely. A perfect mother's prayer. I'm going to print it and put it on my fridge.
Ah... I find myself also harshly speaking to them and then wishing I could take it back. It is so hard not to let the frustrations out on them in the heat of the moment. Kinda like my own little temper tantrum. I try. And pray daily too.
I often wonder why I can't be like the mom's in cartoons (Berenstein Bears comes to mind) when the kids r bad they softly repremand and the kids listen! I try it... and noone even looks at me! I find myself saying often "WHY wont you listen if I don't scream!?" ... sigh... keep on keeping on.
God bless praying mothers; only He knows what would have been had it not been for a praying mother.
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