16 Aug 2010
Glynnis
Whitwer"'I prayed
for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked
of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole
life he will be given over to the LORD.' And he
worshiped the LORD there." I Samuel 1:27-28
(NIV)As a mother of five teenagers,
I find my prayers for them have a resounding similarity:
"Father, please protect (insert child's name) at (insert
location)." I usually elaborate on why that particular
child needs protection, and move on to the next request
for help.
You might call me a worrier. Statistics
don't help to curb my worry. I know that if 99% of
people don't get hurt walking to McDonalds, there is 1%
that do. And, you guessed it, I'm certain someone I love
will be in that 1%.
Over the years, God has
addressed this issue in my life, and revealed my lack of
faith in His ability to protect. God has also brought
miraculous healing over paralyzing fear. Nevertheless, I
still found my prayers focusing on keeping my children
safe. Until I heard a pastor challenge parents to shoot
high for their children in prayer.
It didn't take
a detailed self-assessment to realize I'd reduced my
prayers to the common denominator of safety. While that
is critically important, I realized I had replaced my
vision for their futures with worry about their
presents. I've been caring for the needs of children for
18 years, and I find myself consumed at times with just
making it through the day.
While I know I should
be praying for more than that, I sometimes find it hard
to rise above the daily needs and routines, and cast a
vision for the future. Thankfully, the Bible tells the
story of one mother who had a wonderful vision for her
child's future. Her name was Hannah.
Hannah's
story is told in First Samuel. She was the beloved wife
o f Elkanah, but she could not conceive a child. Hannah
prayed for God to give her a child, and promised to give
her child back to the Lord all the days of his life (1
Samuel 1:11). God heard that prayer and promise, and
blessed Hannah with a son, whom she named
Samuel.
Hannah kept true to her oath to offer her
son to the Lord, and after she had weaned him, she took
Samuel to Eli the priest for training. Hannah continued
to bless her son's calling, and every year made him a
linen ephod (robe) and took it to him when she and her
husband offered sacrifices.
Hannah could have
stopped her prayers at the gift of a baby. Anyone who
has ever struggled with infertility knows that it can be
all consuming. Yet Hannah wanted more than a baby to
treasure and love. Her plan wasn't for a child she could
keep to herself. Hannah had a vision for a child who
would serve the Lord all the days of his life. God heard
and answered that prayer.
Praying like Hannah
pushes me out of my routine. Most nights as I fall into
bed, I'm thankful my children have made it through
another day. I've lost a niece in a car accident, and so
I'm particularly grateful for every breath. And yet, I'm
missing a powerful opportunity to partner with God for
their futures when I stop my prayers at
protection.
As we start a new school year, I'm
challenged to expand my prayers for my children. I want
to re-dedicate my three sons and two daughters to God
for His service. I'm committing to pray boldly for God
to use them in a mighty way, and for them to be lights
in the darkness. Oh, I'll continue to pray for their
safety. But I won't stop there. Once I've taken the
limits off my prayers, there's no telling what God will
do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for
inviting me to approach You in prayer. Sometimes I
forget that You are willing and longing to do more in my
life and the lives of my children. Help me to remove the
limits I've put on my prayers and to allo w Your Spirit
to lead and guide me. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.Related
Resources:When
Your Child is Hurting by Glynnis
Whitwer. This is a great resource for ideas on areas in
your child's life that need prayer.
Parenting
Your Teen and Loving It by Suzie
Davis
Visit
Glynnis'
blog where she shares some ways to
pray for our children at the start of school.
Application
Steps:Take a moment and dream about
the future for a child you know. It could be your own, a
neighbor or someone at church. Don't let "reality"
hinder your dream. Now pray for that child, asking God
to use him or
her.
Reflections:What
limits you from praying bold prayers for others? Or for
yourself?
What are some specific things you could
begin to pray for a child you
know?
Power
Verses:Matthew 6:27, 33, "Who of you
by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well."
(NIV)
Psalm 103:17-18, "But from everlasting to
everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey
his precepts." (NIV)
© 2010 by Glynnis Whitwer.
All rights reserved.
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