The basics of being purposeful in your parenting is quite simply PRAYER.
If you have ever prayed for your children, then you have chosen to be purposeful in your parenting.
Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.
Lamentations 2:19
When we pray, we are saying, "I can't do this without You."
I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18 (NIV)
God gives us authority on earth. When we take that authority, God releases power to us from heaven.
Why should I pray? God knows my needs.
God knows our thoughts and our needs, but He responds to our prayers. He always gives us a choice about everything, including whether we will trust Him.
All that needs to happen in our lives and the lives of our children cannot happen without the presence and power of God.
Prayers for my youngest daughter Brittany began before she was born. My oldest child Sarah was four years old. She decided that she wanted her Daddy and I to have another baby. During bedtime prayers she began to pray that I would get pregnant. Sarah was consistent. One year later, her prayer was answered. Mark and I were so excited to let Sarah know that we were going to have another baby.
He hath blessed thy children within thee.
Psalm 147:13
A new prayer developed. Sarah wanted the baby to be a baby sister. (Apparently, her little old brother was not all that she had hoped for.) Bedtime prayers now included a daily request for the baby to be a girl.
We did not find out ahead of time what the gender of the baby was. Actually, we didn't know the gender of any of our babies before they were born.
As the end of my pregnancy was drawing closer, I thought I should prepare Sarah for the possibility that she might get another little brother. Sarah told me that she knew she was having a baby sister. Sarah was determined that since God answers prayer, she would be getting a sister.
I was concerned for my daughter. I didn't want her to reject the baby or worse blame God for an unanswered prayer.
My concerns were completely unwarranted. God answered a little girl's prayer. On October 28, 1995 Sarah received the baby sister that she had earnestly been praying for.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16
Brittany's sheer existence started with prayer.
Children are a gift from God. Given to us to care for and to raise.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
When we depend on God to enable us to raise our child correctly, He will see to it that our child's life is blessed.
RhondaY
8 comments:
I like how you noted God gives us a CHOICE to trust Him. I find lately I am continually revisiting the truth that God gives us the power to choose.
I really like your reminder that "God KNOWS our needs, but RESPONDS to our prayers."
Yesterday as I was shopping for groceries, I had some thoughts going through my mind. I was thinking about some incidents from our Holiday that involved "grown up" kids.
There are a few colorful people in my immediate and extended family that at least at times can be VERY difficult to be around....I was thinking about this, and wondering what could have been done differently in their lives to cause them to grow up more....."respectful".
I just began to cry out to God and tell Him that I needed Him and I could not do this without Him. I am claiming the scripture that declares that "her children will rise up and call her blessed"
Prayer is our greatest weapon but it is also our greatest parenting tool. I am so thankful that we have the Word and prayer to guide us as parents.
Beautifully written Rhonda
I wish that I started really praying for my children before birth and then when they were born.
But I know in my heart it is never to late for the desire of my heart for them to come to the Lord.
So I pray daily for them and my grandchildren.
Thank you for this posting.
Oh yes and amen to "prayer is our greatest weapon and also our greatest parenting tool."
I think that is the greatest PRAYER Sarah could have prayed! AMEN TO THAT
(hate the picture though...FRIZZY hair is a big problem for me)
Beautiful picture girls!!!!
I hope you were not too mad at mommy!
HI Rhonda!
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. Been a rough/sweet 8.5 months that's for sure! :)
I loved this last line in this post your wrote: When we depend on God to enable us to raise our child correctly, He will see to it that our child's life is blessed.
Amen!!!
Blessings~
Lelia
Also,
Your girls are beautiful & look like they're good friends. :)
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