Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10
For 21 days I have sought the Lord on behalf of my son in very specific areas (see the Warrior Prayers tab at the top for all the related posts). During that time my son has had precious moments of obedience, and challenging moments of defiance. He has hit, kicked, scowled, and said he hated things. I have realistic expectations of my almost three year old, but what if he was 8 or 12 or 21 and I saw no results at the end of this time period? No heart change when I've prayed to the Father?
Brooke talks about fear in her conclusion. The greatest fear we have: that our children will not bend to the Lord. She says, "I know fear is lack of trust, and lack of trust is lack of thanksgiving." It is overwhelming to think of the responsibility we have as mothers to raise Godly young men (or women). I share this feeling with Brooke, "[I'm] wondering if my efforts - my prayers - will ever make a difference. The moment of grace gives me hope that they do and that the God of the universe who made us, sees us. And smiles."
Sometimes it feels like I am speaking to an empty room, but I know that the prayers of a righteous man are effective(James 5:16) and I am the righteousness of God through Christ(2 Cor. 5:21), so MY prayers are powerful and effective. They are not lost in space.
The bottom line is trust. Trust that as we exalt Christ, He will draw our sons to Himself(John 12:32). Trust that He knows what we have need of even before we ask it(Matthew 6:8). Trust.
Lord, may my son trust in You. May he fear not, knowing that You are with him; may he not be dismayed, for You are his God. You will strengthen him, You will help him, You will uphold him with Your righteous right hand.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 21 - Humility
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:2
Today completes the twenty-one days of prayer. What an accomplishment! The focus for the last day is humility. Webster defines the word humble as "not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive" and "reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit or submission." To be humble we see what we do not do (do not be proud, haughty, arrogant, or assertive) and we see what we ought to do (reflect, express, and be offered in a spirit of submission).
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. -James 4:10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. -1 Peter 5:6
For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
-Psalm 149:4
Jesus is our greatest example of one who was humble, even to die a terrible death to save mankind who was wallowing in their sin. He was perfection and showed that it is right to walk humbly.
Today I pray that my son does not have a haughty spirit, or think himself superior to others. May I see opportunities to show humility, so that I please the Father and am an example to my son.
May my son have unity of mind with other believers, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8)
Today completes the twenty-one days of prayer. What an accomplishment! The focus for the last day is humility. Webster defines the word humble as "not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive" and "reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit or submission." To be humble we see what we do not do (do not be proud, haughty, arrogant, or assertive) and we see what we ought to do (reflect, express, and be offered in a spirit of submission).
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. -James 4:10
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. -1 Peter 5:6
For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
-Psalm 149:4
Jesus is our greatest example of one who was humble, even to die a terrible death to save mankind who was wallowing in their sin. He was perfection and showed that it is right to walk humbly.
Today I pray that my son does not have a haughty spirit, or think himself superior to others. May I see opportunities to show humility, so that I please the Father and am an example to my son.
May my son have unity of mind with other believers, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Day 20 - Honesty
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. -Luke 6:45
Brooke shares an illustration in her leader's guide that I think is worth passing along. There was a pastor who held up a Styrofoam cup. He rammed his hand into the side of the cup, water spilling out, and asked why water came out of the cup. Was it because he rammed into it? Or was it simply because there was water inside of it?
If there had been no water, there would have been no spill. If we are the Styrofoam cup, then the ramming of the hand shows the daily hits we get. So what is the water? It is whatever we carry inside us. Good or evil, pleasing to God or destructive to ourselves. What is in your heart today?
Today is about honesty, but Brooke does not focus on that topic in her leader's guide or her main book. Why is that? The true way to be an honest person is to make sure of what is in your heart.
Lord, today I pray that I will store good treasures in my heart so that when difficulties come I will react in a way that is pleasing to you. I pray that my son is softened to your Truth, and that he desires to be an honest man who stores up good things.
May my son live such a good life among the unbeliever that, though they accuse him of doing wrong, they may see his good deeds and glorify God. (1 Peter 2:12)
Brooke shares an illustration in her leader's guide that I think is worth passing along. There was a pastor who held up a Styrofoam cup. He rammed his hand into the side of the cup, water spilling out, and asked why water came out of the cup. Was it because he rammed into it? Or was it simply because there was water inside of it?
If there had been no water, there would have been no spill. If we are the Styrofoam cup, then the ramming of the hand shows the daily hits we get. So what is the water? It is whatever we carry inside us. Good or evil, pleasing to God or destructive to ourselves. What is in your heart today?
Today is about honesty, but Brooke does not focus on that topic in her leader's guide or her main book. Why is that? The true way to be an honest person is to make sure of what is in your heart.
Lord, today I pray that I will store good treasures in my heart so that when difficulties come I will react in a way that is pleasing to you. I pray that my son is softened to your Truth, and that he desires to be an honest man who stores up good things.
May my son live such a good life among the unbeliever that, though they accuse him of doing wrong, they may see his good deeds and glorify God. (1 Peter 2:12)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Day 19 - Salvation
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9
There are good men in the world. Men who care for their families, provide, try to be honest in their relationships. Men who are giving to the needy and have a gentle disposition. It is not simply traits we are praying for our sons to have. It is that their minds are hearts are changed by the salvation that comes through Christ.
Elyse Fitzpatrick says in her book Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, that "There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said: parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church."
My husband and I have been in church work for about four of the five years we have been married, and he was a youth pastor for three years before we married. In this time we have seen the further decline of the family unit, and have seen more young adults than not walk away from the church. Maybe this is the church's fault - not providing what people need. Maybe it is the person's fault - not being committed to the work of the Lord in their local church.
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. -Romans 10:17
Many times it feels like parents give the church the sole responsibility of teaching their children about Christ. It is the church's job to come along side parents, not to replace their jobs of teaching Christ in the home.
Today I pray for my son. That the Lord would draw his heart at a young age. That my son would have a desire for the Lord and His truth. I pray that I have the resolve to make our home all about Christ.
May my son fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for him. (Exodus 14:13)
There are good men in the world. Men who care for their families, provide, try to be honest in their relationships. Men who are giving to the needy and have a gentle disposition. It is not simply traits we are praying for our sons to have. It is that their minds are hearts are changed by the salvation that comes through Christ.
Elyse Fitzpatrick says in her book Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, that "There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said: parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church."
My husband and I have been in church work for about four of the five years we have been married, and he was a youth pastor for three years before we married. In this time we have seen the further decline of the family unit, and have seen more young adults than not walk away from the church. Maybe this is the church's fault - not providing what people need. Maybe it is the person's fault - not being committed to the work of the Lord in their local church.
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. -Romans 10:17
Many times it feels like parents give the church the sole responsibility of teaching their children about Christ. It is the church's job to come along side parents, not to replace their jobs of teaching Christ in the home.
Today I pray for my son. That the Lord would draw his heart at a young age. That my son would have a desire for the Lord and His truth. I pray that I have the resolve to make our home all about Christ.
May my son fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for him. (Exodus 14:13)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Day 18 - Anger
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. -Ephesians 4:31
My son and I play a game where we are able to talk freely about feelings. It's found at Nick Jr, and there are five cards each with Rintoo (a character off of Ni Hao, Kai Lan) showing a different emotion. There are stories that I read to my son then he tells me how Rintoo is feeling in each story. The two feelings that he understands well is happy and angry.
In your anger, do not sin. -Ephesians 4:26
We DO get angry everyday, but what do we choose to do with that anger? Brooke says, "We almost always have a choice when it comes to anger. We can choose to embrace it and sin or choose to put it away, and instead choose kindness, self-control, compassion, and love." What will I choose today? Anger or self-control and kindness.
Brooke brings out the truth that every one of these areas we are praying over our sons are areas that we ourselves must strive to accomplish in our own lives.
Today I pray that I am quick to show kindness, self-control, compassion, and love, and put away all that anger tends to bring out in me (impatience, yelling, rudeness, etc). I pray my son is slow to anger, controlling his feelings when it is difficult.
May my son not be quick in his spirit to become angry. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
May my son know that God himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
My son and I play a game where we are able to talk freely about feelings. It's found at Nick Jr, and there are five cards each with Rintoo (a character off of Ni Hao, Kai Lan) showing a different emotion. There are stories that I read to my son then he tells me how Rintoo is feeling in each story. The two feelings that he understands well is happy and angry.
In your anger, do not sin. -Ephesians 4:26
We DO get angry everyday, but what do we choose to do with that anger? Brooke says, "We almost always have a choice when it comes to anger. We can choose to embrace it and sin or choose to put it away, and instead choose kindness, self-control, compassion, and love." What will I choose today? Anger or self-control and kindness.
Brooke brings out the truth that every one of these areas we are praying over our sons are areas that we ourselves must strive to accomplish in our own lives.
Today I pray that I am quick to show kindness, self-control, compassion, and love, and put away all that anger tends to bring out in me (impatience, yelling, rudeness, etc). I pray my son is slow to anger, controlling his feelings when it is difficult.
May my son not be quick in his spirit to become angry. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
May my son know that God himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Day 17 - Self-Control
So whether you eat of drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
-1 Corinthians 10:31
Everyday I struggle between doing what I want to do and doing what the Lord wants me to do. I have been in a Christian household my entire life and have had a personal relationship with Christ since my mid teen years - still this is a struggle. Brooke asks, "What is on the throne of your son's heart?" My son is almost 3, and quite honestly I think Power Rangers are on the throne of his heart.
I know my son will grow and will be drawn to worship things instead of choosing to worship God fully. He might worship friendships, athletics, music, girls... But Brooke shares, "The key to overcoming our tendencies toward worshipping something other than Christ is to choose to love Him more than we love our sin. A constant laying down of our desires and picking up of Christ is the only fix."
Since I choose often to not control my sin and give in to what I want instead of what my Perfect Father wants, how can I be surprised when my son chooses to disobey me? As my Father extends grace to me, so I should freely extend grace to my son.
Today I pray that my son desires to be obedient to my husband and me as his earthly parents, and to God most of all as his heavenly Father. May I show him grace instead of frustration or anger, showing self-control in my own actions.
May my son not let sin reign in his mortal body, to make him obey its passions. May he not present his members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present himself to God as one who has been brought from death to life, and his members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13)
-1 Corinthians 10:31
Everyday I struggle between doing what I want to do and doing what the Lord wants me to do. I have been in a Christian household my entire life and have had a personal relationship with Christ since my mid teen years - still this is a struggle. Brooke asks, "What is on the throne of your son's heart?" My son is almost 3, and quite honestly I think Power Rangers are on the throne of his heart.
I know my son will grow and will be drawn to worship things instead of choosing to worship God fully. He might worship friendships, athletics, music, girls... But Brooke shares, "The key to overcoming our tendencies toward worshipping something other than Christ is to choose to love Him more than we love our sin. A constant laying down of our desires and picking up of Christ is the only fix."
Since I choose often to not control my sin and give in to what I want instead of what my Perfect Father wants, how can I be surprised when my son chooses to disobey me? As my Father extends grace to me, so I should freely extend grace to my son.
Today I pray that my son desires to be obedient to my husband and me as his earthly parents, and to God most of all as his heavenly Father. May I show him grace instead of frustration or anger, showing self-control in my own actions.
May my son not let sin reign in his mortal body, to make him obey its passions. May he not present his members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present himself to God as one who has been brought from death to life, and his members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Day 16 - Gentleness
The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. -James 3:17
Gentle is not the first word that comes into my mind when I think of my son. It is not one of the top TEN words I think of! Active is a word that I think of. Brooke shares about how aggression in males is the norm. All males are aggressive in some way (physically or intellectually, etc) and we have to figure out how we are going to approach bringing gentleness out in our sons.
My son exerts his strength (he is almost 3, so the strength isn't overwhelming) on me, my husband, his cousins, his dog, random children... This is an area I need direction in. Brooke tells her sons, "God wants you to use your strength to protect, not to hurt. Superheroes don't look for fights, but they will fight to protect others."
I pray that my son controls his strength and uses it for the benefit of others. May the Lord give him a desire to do good to others, not putting himself first. I pray I am a mother who leads by example.
May my son be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with others in love.
(Ephesians 4:2)
Gentle is not the first word that comes into my mind when I think of my son. It is not one of the top TEN words I think of! Active is a word that I think of. Brooke shares about how aggression in males is the norm. All males are aggressive in some way (physically or intellectually, etc) and we have to figure out how we are going to approach bringing gentleness out in our sons.
My son exerts his strength (he is almost 3, so the strength isn't overwhelming) on me, my husband, his cousins, his dog, random children... This is an area I need direction in. Brooke tells her sons, "God wants you to use your strength to protect, not to hurt. Superheroes don't look for fights, but they will fight to protect others."
I pray that my son controls his strength and uses it for the benefit of others. May the Lord give him a desire to do good to others, not putting himself first. I pray I am a mother who leads by example.
May my son be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with others in love.
(Ephesians 4:2)
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