I’m still on bloggy sabbatical, but I didn’t want to wait any longer to post this guest post from Brittany about praying in the moment for our kids. Brittany and I met in small group (wow, has it been 2 years ago now?), and she has grown so much in her faith since we met. I look up to her in so many ways. She’s an incredible wife and mother to three beautiful little girls. You can find her blogging at her family website.
Before I had three children – Lilli (5), Corinne (2), & Eleanor (4 weeks), I had time to sit and pray. I’d actually write my prayers in a journal to help me focus, since my mind has a tendency to wander. Now, I can’t seem to find the time to have my prayer time, which is a whole other topic because I can obviously find time to blog. (Hmm…is the Holy Spirit convicting me of something there???) Now, I find that I pray in the moment.
For example:
Me: Lilli please make your bed before you play with your toys.
Lilli: But I like playing with my toys and want to make my bed later.
Me (in thought): Lord, please help Lilli to obey her parents and authority. For it is written: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” ~Colossians 3:20
Me: Corinne, please don’t hit your sister.
Corinne (throwing herself on the floor): BLAAHHHH
Me (in thought): Lord, please help Corinne to be gentle and respectful. For it is written: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” ~Ephesians 4:2
Me (rocking Eleanor): Lord, use my girls throughout their lives to set a Christian example. Please help them to live by your Word. For it is written: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” ~1Timothy 4:12
I like praying in the moment & involving God in all our daily activities. I feel myself focusing on Him and His Word, rather than wanting to give into my temptation to become *noticeably frustrated* with my children. God promises in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” For me, that “way out” is prayer.
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Perfect! I think that’s the kind of prayer that pleases God most–b/c we’re putting Him in every area of our life. Thanks for the reminder!