PRAYING FOR GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

Sometimes in our life, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.  But, if we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow...LEAN ON ME!!

In these unprecedented times of uncertainty, it is more and more important that we have godly relationships to help us maintain.  We need those people in our lives that we can be vulnerable with and to whom we can vent.  The people that will not only hold you when you're going through, but will also hold you accountable when you're trying to run away.  It's important to pray that your spouse has those same relationships!  Not just good, healthy relationships, but godly relationships. 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the godly relationships in my life and in my spouse's life.  When the world has tossed us to and fro, we're grateful for those that avail themselves to us for prayer, comfort and counsel.  We thank you for the prayer warriors that intercede on our behalf, for the disciples that challenge us in our deeds, for those that offer godly counsel and covering.  Help us to always seek the relationships You have purposed for our lives, that will glorify Your and Your kingdom.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 9, 2019

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

Although we are "accounted as sheep for the slaughter", even in that, we are "MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US." God loved us so much that He gave His only son for us! Jesus not only came, bled and died; but Jesus continues to intercede for us. For these reasons, we are more than conquerors...we are ANNIHILATORS! When you annihilate something, you defeat it completely; utterly destroy it! This is the mindset we have to adopt when dealing with sin and the enemy. Trust me, satan is not going to have sympathy or take it easy on you! We have to stop being punks when it comes to some things, especially those things that God has given us (spouse, children, ministry).

Father, your word says that NOTHING shall separate us from Your love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It's because of that love, You sent Jesus, it's because of that love that Jesus paid it all, it's because of that love, THE BLOOD STILL WORKS! In this we are confident and we will annihilate anything that trys to come against what You have given us! Amen!

#NOFEAR #KNOW_THAT_YOU_KNOW #AUTHORITY

March 8 - I'm convinced it's never too soon to start praying for a child to feel loved and accepted--first by God, then by family, then by peers and others.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, "BEFORE I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I SANCTIFIED thee, and ordained the a prophet unto the nations." The word SANCTIFIED means " to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate". So before our children were formed/conceived God set them apart, consecrated and dedicated them. WE MUST PRAY OVER THAT!!! I have not always prayed over my children from the womb, BUT I have always made sure that they knew about God and WE went to church...I didn't send them to church. And let me add this; just as it's never too soon...it's never too late to pray either!

Father, thank You for Your Word and for Your promises! We are just vessels by which our children are delivered to this world, but they belong to You. Before our children were formed You knew them, now that they're here You see all that they encounter, You know how much they can endure and You care for them...we ask that You keep being God in their lives, no matter what! In Jesus name, Amen!

February 24

February 24 - We can't be everywhere. But God can. We can't see everything. But God can. We can't know everything. But God can. No matter what age our children are, releasing them into God's hands is a sign of our faith and trust in Him and is the first step toward making a difference in their lives. Prayer for our children begins there. (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

Thank you Father for being omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), for being omniscient (having complete and unlimited knowledge), for being our Overseer and the One in control. Thank you for giving us the peace in knowing that even though we don't know all, can't see all or be everywhere...You can! Thank you for showing us that at the point of release, where our prayer begins; You have already got our children...there is no gap in their protection. They are always covered (even when they're going through), your covering is filtering what they're receiving and it's part of the process to grow them in You. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the process. What we can't do...God can!!! Amen!

February 11

February 11 - A child is a gift to us from God and He cares even more about our child than we do.

Cast...all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
(Power of a Praying Parent daily)

The very next verse in 1 Peter 5, says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour".

Make no mistake, the adversary is ALWAYS on his job, going to and fro trying to devour our children BUT once we do what we can as far as giving them the foundation of scripture, making sure they know who the savior is and living our lives according to God's word...the rest is up to God!

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in him will I trust. He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." This is the security we have in our Heavenly Father. Amen!

#peace

Promise Kept - August 13, 2018

Monday, August 7, 2017, I came home from work, trekked upstairs and stretched out on my bed.  It was about 4:30 and I was getting ready to watch the evening news.  As I'm laying there, Isaac (my 12yr old son) walks into the room.  He places his arms across his chest, Wakanda style, and says "Isaac, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"  I quizzically repeated the question and he responded "Yes!"  I then asked him if he wanted to be baptized, to which he replied, "Yes!"  I said 'ok', not realizing that the upcoming Sunday would be the day.

We went through the week and he continued repeating the question.  He never wavered.  I sure did.  I wasn't sure if he'd go through with it.  I mean, he could very well get to church and completely change his mind.  We hadn't discussed his expression or desire with anyone, so there was the whole 'protocol' of baptism ANNNND, we hadn't had the talk, with him, to explain what baptism meant.  I mean after all, Isaac has autism....how could he possibly know what it meant to be baptized.

Sunday, August 13, 2017 and we're at church.  It's a normal Sunday for us and we're going along with our normal routine.  Isaac doesn't seem anxious or different, so I wonder if he's going to follow through with his plan.  Little did I know, that it was His plan.

As the morning goes on, I ask Isaac if he's ready to be baptized and he replies in the affirmative.  I honestly thought that he would change his mind at any given minute.  I shared with one of Isaac's "aunties" that he was being baptized today and she asked me if I was sure, baptism was still happening?  I was confused.  She then shared that she thought the baptismal pool had been drained and there wouldn't be any candidates baptized.  I was horrified!  After we've come this far.  Oh, God...please don't let this happen.  After a few inquiries, we were assured that everything was a go.

I took Isaac to the dressing room area.  He was completely normal...walking around smiling and hugging me.  He said 'hi' to a few of the Deaconesses.  He was calm.  I, on the other hand, was totally freaking out!  As the moment of truth drew nigh, I was still not sure he was going to go through with it.  Honestly, I thought he would put one foot in that water and say, 'no baptism'!  BUT GOD!!!

I decided to go out to the sanctuary and make myself visible to Isaac.  I'd stand in the chapel where we sit, so he could see me and hopefully that would help him overcome any 'fear' he may have.  Isaac was looking for me when he finally stepped into the water...but Isaac had no fear.  BUT GOD!!!

You've probably figured out that Isaac was baptized on Sunday, August 13, 2017.  What you need to know, is that he was able to answer the minister when he asked "Isaac Jones, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"  He was able to answer with a resounding "YES!", when the doctor said that he may never speak a work.  BUT GOD!!!

Pastor Troy was supposed to be out of town, but he shared that something wouldn't let him leave town.  He shared that he began feeling this 'tug' early in the week...Monday to be exact.  It was Monday when Isaac initially said that he wanted to be baptized.  BUT GOD!!!

I sat and watched, over and over, boys, young men and men, being baptized.  I wondered when the day would come that Isaac would be in that place.  God assured me that I would see it.  I kept envisioning Isaac in the pool, when each young man went in...I imagined seeing him...I imagined him saying 'YES'...and on that day, it happened.

The ultimate beauty of this promise kept, is that I remembered when I had gone through a trying time in my life and I wanted to recommit my life.  I was baptized...wait for it...on Sunday, August 13, 2006.  BUT GOD!!!

HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER!!!

October 20 - Sexual Immorality

Next to catastrophic injury, death, and eternal hell, sexual immorality is the most dreaded possibility for our children's lives.  I know that with sexual sin the fullness of God's presence, peace, blessing, and joy is sacrificed.  The price is way too high.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Maybe the reason why Ms. Omartian places so much weight on the effects of sexual immorality is because of what is forfeited.  This is not to say that our children are not forgiven and God does not extend grace, NO; they are fortunate that He's the God of a second chance (truth be told, so are we).  Nevertheless, when our children forfeit purity for pleasure; he/she does not get the benefit of the fullness of all that God has ordained and set aside for them. 

Although the most visible result of sexual immorality, pregnancy is not the only consequence of this sin.  To name a few; HIV/AIDS, an array of sexually transmitted diseases, lack of desire, too much desire, emotional numbness and distress and lack of commitment.  These days we even have people in Christian leadership being sexually immoral and trying to justify it (see 'Preachers of LA').

If our children are going to stand a chance in this hyper-sexual society; we may need to incorporate some serious prayer and fasting along with unadulterated teaching of God's word.  We can no longer sit back and not talk about sex (on a REAL level), when every other image they see is trying to elicit an arousal from them...and not just heterosexual arousal (yes, I went there!). 

I am praying right now for the young man who will see my daughter as the jewel that she is and before he asks us for her hand, he seeks the approval of her heavenly father.  I'm thanking God right now that He is preparing suitable wives for my sons and that my sons will love their wives the way Christ loved the church. 

We have to be more proactive in our prayers over the sexual immorality of our children because as Ms. Omartian said, "The price is way too high".

August 22 - Rash language cuts and maims...

Lord, enable my child to always speak words of hope, health, encouragement, and life and to resolve that his/her mouth will not sin.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

With the start of the school year, I'm excited and expectant!  The boys are growing and developing well.  Our oldest son is looking to take on leadership roles and participating in ministry.  The younger has embraced school (even though he has a new teacher) and has been doing his work in class.  As promising as the first few days have been; my eagle eyes have already spotted the ugliness of bullying.  A little boy at our oldest son's school has a speech impediment and I observed a couple of kids teasing him.  Ironically the little boy who was being teased is named Isaiah (the same as my son).  I didn't take it too well and scolded "Mr. Mischief" for calling Isaiah 'stupid' because of his stuttering and facial tics.  It wasn't too longer after the scolding that I heard the word again and even though I reminded my little friend that the 's' word was not nice; I couldn't help but think about why/how it flowed from his mouth...maybe because he had heard it often?!?

The Message version of Proverbs 12:18 says, "Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise."  As small as it is; the tongue can cause a whole lot of hurt.  At the same time; the tongue can bring healing, if used in conjunction with a pure heart.

Lord, we pray that our language doesn't maim anyone!  Let us not use our tongues like Ginsu knives cutting and slicing people with our words.  Help us and our children to speak words of hope, health, encouragement and life.  When/if we encounter someone using language to assassinate another; give us wisdom and courage to confront in love and beseech that person not to sin.  There's enough hurt and dis-ease caused by words...we will use our words to restore and heal.  You are Jehovah Rapha and we call it done.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 18 - Home Training

Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.  (Proverbs 22:6, The Message)

I thought about the Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it".  The phrase "Train up", according to translation, refers to manners and habits.  I believe that a lot of the issues children face in school and society stems from failure to follow this scripture.  Having the opportunity to work in the school system and encounter children and their parents, it's become evident that in many instances, home training has gone out the window.  If all a child hears at home is cussing, most likely he/she will cuss too.  If every time a child turns around someone is beating his/her mom OR beating him/her; most likely he/she will be abusive too.  When a child's home life is disorganized, has no structure and in disarray; chances are he/she will be distracted and dysfunctional as well. 

We can not discount the importance of teaching our children at home!  Not just reading with them and making sure they keep up the skills learned during the school year, but also we have to teach them the importance of respect, self-control, honor and integrity.  We may also have to reach out to children who are not in our household.  Think of it this way...even if they don't get the training in their own home doesn't mean they shouldn't get it!  If we take the time to reach and teach a child that may not otherwise receive it; that's one less child that may grow up and drop out of school or become a teen parent or criminal.  As the children prepare to return to school; we have to continue to cover them as well as their teachers. 

Lord, thank you for giving us the tools to train up our children.  Your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.  We pray that the hearts and minds of our children will be fertile ground for learning, wisdom, understanding, compassion, joy, peace, hope and love.  We declare that as we seek to point them in the right direction, when they're old they will not be lost.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 8 - Watch Your Mouth!

We create a world for ourselves by what we speak.  Words have power, and we can either speak life or death into a situation.  The Bible says that what we say can get us into trouble or keep us away from it.  It can even save our lives.  "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3).  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Whenever my son's language gets a little "grown", I kindly remind him to "watch his mouth".  I remember my mom giving me the same warning if she perceived I was being "sassy".  As a child, I would quip (under my breath of course), "how can I watch my mouth...I can't see it".  When I think of the things that we speak and what it looks like in the spirit realm...I am grieved.  Instead of using our words to create Eden or Elim; we speak hell into existence.  Just imagine that every time we allow  negative words to leave our lips; those words are the equivalent of bullets shooting down hopes, dreams and worst of all people!

Dear Lord, please touch our lips so that we speak life and not death in each and every situation.  Your word says that we should not let any corrupt communication proceed out of our mouths, so we pray that we begin to say what You say.  We pray that what we speak aligns with what is spoken in Your holy word.  Lord, help us to realize that our words have power and what we speak about, we bring about.  We will renew our minds to change what we speak.  In Jesus name, Amen!

August 5 - Give thanks and use it before you lose it!

Last week the youth and young adults of several churches in the city collaborated in a city-wide revival.  The "City On Our Knees" revival, consisting of New Salem, Rehoboth Temple, First Church of God, Rhema Christian Center and Trinity Baptist Church, truly blessed me. 

In one of the sermons the preacher asked; "if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday...what would you have?"  WOE!!!  I was immediately convicted and mortified at everything I would have lost.  The obvious material things crossed my mind but what really got me was that I had not taken the time to thank God for my life, for my spouse, for my children, health and strength.  All gifts...all things that I have taken for granted.

The bible says, " I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. ⁵ Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. ⁶ This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. ⁷ Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ"  (1 Corinthians 1:4-7, NLT).  As believers, we need to give thanks not only for the gifts God has given to us, but also for the gifts deposited in our church.  Everything we need to stand against the enemy, his plots and schemes; God has provided.  As my pastor says, everything we need "is in the house".  The concept of a city-wide, multi-church revival with "every spiritual gift you need" is amazing, encouraging and empowering...now if only we'd stir up the gifts!
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; ⁹ To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
¹⁰ To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues (1Corinthians 12:8-10).  The church, and those endowed with spiritual gifts, has to be leery of losing what we don't use!

Lord, forgive me for taking all the gifts You've give me for granted.  I thank You for my life!  I thank You for my husband, I thank You for my children, I thank You for my mother, sisters and brothers.  I thank You for my health and strength, for my pastor and church family, for a home, food and clothes.  I thank You for opportunities to share Your word.  I thank You for using me to bless other and help them find their voice.  I thank You for every spiritual gift in my church for the building of Your kingdom and blessing of Your people.  I pray that those possessing spiritual gifts will begin to operate in their gift and use their gift for Your glory.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

July 23 - Praying for your child's potential greatness

When God gives you a glimpse of your child's potential for greatness, love and pray him/her into being that.  The Bible says, "Do you see a man who excels in his work?  He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men" (Proverbs 22:29) (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Ooooooo wheee Jesus; this is a hard one!!!    I know why preachers say that God doesn't always show us the plans He has for us because we couldn't handle them.  Let's be open and honest for a minute...the challenge with praying this prayer is loving and praying them into their potential when their behavior and walk doesn't line up with their potential.  I mean if God has given you a glimpse of your child as a doctor and he/she can't pass biology, your might be a little discouraged.  Nevertheless, if we're going to believe God's word, whether it's written or prophetic, we have to believe ALL of His word, ALL of the time.  In those times of discouragement and dare I say it, doubt; we have to be even more diligent to pray God's word back to Him and over our children.  I encourage to pray scripture over your child(ren) and place his/her name throughout to make it even more personal to him/her.  For example; Isaiah can do all things through Christ which strengthens him; Lord, you promised never to leave nor forsake Isaiah; Isaiah will trust in the Lord with all his heart and lean not to his own understanding.  Because God is bound by His word, He will incline His ear and hear your prayer...especially when you pray His word back to Him.

We're often quick to recite "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men" (Proverbs 18:16), BUT verse 15 offers the prerequisite.  It says, "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge", which would have me believe that before our gift (or our children's gift) makes room for us; our hearts should be prudent and our ears seeking knowledge.  It just got real.

Lord I thank you for the insight You've given me into my child's potential greatness.  I pray that You will give me perseverance to pray over that greatness with diligence and determination.  The enemy will try on every hand to deter him/her but he's already defeated and has no place here!  I will love and support my child just as You have loved and supported me.  We will do great things for you and excel in Your greatness because ultimately we want to hear You say "Well done!" 
In Jesus name, Amen! 

June 20 - Be healed!

One of the main things Jesus wants to be to us is the forgiver of our sins and the healer of our bodies.  Let's lay hold of the health and healing He has for our children by praying for it even before the need arises.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian) 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  James 5:16

"Let's lay hold of the health and healing He has for our children..."; what a powerful statement!!!  As a parent, the thing I hate most is for my child to be sick or hurting.  The instinct is to want to take the pain away.  It's especially disheartening when you have a child, who because of his/her age OR special needs, can't communicate what's wrong.  The feelings of helplessness and frustration can easily become one's focus but the truth of the matter is, all we have to do is focus on the Balm in Gilead.  HALLELUJAH!!!  Before I move on, let me be clear; I believe in supernatural healing AND I also believe in medicinal healing.   Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

Lord help us to realize that we have so many tools, promises and weapons to use in this walk!  Let us see that all we need to do is renew our minds with Your Word and we can "lay hold" of some things.  We speak health and healing in our lives and our children's lives.  We declare that we are healthy and healed in every area of our lives.  Heal emotional scars, renew and restore spiritually, touch each and every physical ailment, heal financial wounds...everywhere there is a hurt; we pray that You make it better.  #No_owies 

In Jesus name, Amen!

June 2 - He has prepared some things for you!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV)

The word "prepared" means "to have ordained; of blessings".  So there are ordained blessings that have not been seen, heard or even thought of, that God has for us and our children.  No wonder the enemy is constantly trying to distract us and tempt us with sin...it's hard to receive a blessing while in the midst of sin.  However, I believe that the blessed thing about an "ordained blessing", is that its' been predestined by God and in His sovereignty He can still bestow the blessing on us...even if we have not "lived up to it".  Now that is not a license to sin, as the bible says; "What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."  (Romans 6:15) 

Nevertheless, the best way to ensure that we receive what God has prepared, is to be prepared ourselves.  One of my favorite male vocalists has a song called "He's Preparing Me".  In the song, Daryl Coley delivers an "explanation" for some of the things we encounter in our lives as believers, i.e. maturing, arranging, rearranging, training, tuning, purging and pruning as "preparation".  God is getting us ready for the next level in our lives...for what He has prepared.  If we're not prepared; we can easily abuse, misuse and as crazy as it sounds, refuse the blessing...all because we weren't ready for what was waiting on us!   A perfect example is the single person who claims to want a spouse, but has not addressed his/her trust issues; his/her bad credit; his/her selfishness; his/her own insecurities.  Now why would God give the person He has prepared to the unprepared person?!?  #ItJustGotReal

Lord, we pray that we will submit to the process of preparation for each and everything You have ordained for us.  Help us to lead by example so that our children will also embrace preparation as the process of getting to the next level.  And Lord, even if the preparation is not for the next level, but more so to be effective for the battle that's at hand; let us understand the strategy of preparation is necessary in order for us not to have so much to do later.  Preparation is necessary so that we may enjoy the blessing.  Thank you for what You have prepared and for taking the time to prepare us to receive.  In Jesus name, Amen!

He's Preparing Me!
http://youtu.be/4WcwZO9htds

May 31 - No comparing!

One of the devil's plans for young people is to get them to compare themselves with others, judge themselves as deficient, and then seek to be someone they were not created to be.  Our prayers can block this plan of the enemy and give our children a clear vision of themselves and their future.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Exposing the devil's plans helps others avoid being entangled in them.  What Ms. Omartian mentioned in this devotion, is definitely true.  While most of the comparison may be in the physical (looks, material things, how many friends they have or don't have); our children may be deceived into comparing themselves with others spiritually as well.

When I read the devotion, I immediately remembered the scripture that says God gives us all a "measure of faith".  I remember being around some of my sisters in faith and watching them operate in the Spirit; praying, speaking in tongues, laying hands on people, teaching, and preaching...and thinking that my faith was weak because I wasn't flowing like them.  I also had not gone through what they had gone through!  When we compare ourselves to others, we will always sin because we will judge ourselves and envy the person who is the object of our comparison.  Eventually, we may even try to be the other person or something God never intended us to be...all because we didn't recognize the standard or measure to which God was holding us accountable.

Don't copy the behavior or customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.  In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.  If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  (Romans 12:2-8, NLT)

Lord, as we pray for our children, help us to provide them with a vision of themselves according to how You see them.  Help us to remind them that before they were formed; You knew them!  Help us to remind them that You have plans to prosper them, to give them hope and a future.  Help us to remind them that You have called them fearfully and wonderfully made.  Help them to see what you see and know that the only person they need to compare themselves to is Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen!   

May 28

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2

The four names for God in this psalm describe different aspects of his protection.  (1) "Most High" shows him to be greater than any threat we face; (2) "Almighty"  emphasizes his power to confront and destroy every enemy; (3) "the Lord" assures us that his presence is always with us; and (4) "my God" expresses the truth that God has chosen to associate intimately with those who trust in him.  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

The name I like the most in this psalm is "ALMIGHTY"!  Being the oldest of my mother's children (I have older siblings by my dad), I always wanted a older brother or sister whom I could run to if I needed someone to confront an enemy.  Things haven't changed with regard to me wanting that enemy confronted, however; now I know that the enemy is already defeated!  We have the whole armor of God to put on and STAND FIRM.  All of our weapons are defensive except the word of God which, although it's called a "sword"; we only have to speak it for the offense.  The Almighty is the one that destroys every enemy...so glad He's got my back!

Thank you Father for giving us a place of refuge and for being our fortress...our place of "exceptional security".  We don't have to worry about anything or anyone when we're in the secret place.  We pray that our children seek out the shelter of the Most High God in the midst of their trials.  We cannot always be with them, so we pray that they know You as Lord and Your presence is with them WHEN he/she commits themselves to your will and protection.  We trust You.  In Jesus name, Amen!

May 26 - Teach me Your way!

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  ¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)

In the midst of his trouble, the psalmist humbly asks God to teach him His ways and His truth, that he might fear God from the heart.  When we are experiencing trials and difficulties, we must cry out to God for wisdom to walk in his ways and for a heart that truly fears and delights in His truth.  (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)

The study notes that are quoted above advise us that during trials and difficulties; "we must cry out to God" and I couldn't agree more.  One of the biggest tricks of the enemy is ISOLATION!  As believers, we have been duped into thinking that our faith is evidenced by how much and how long we can endure suffering.  Often we suffer in silence, giving satan an even greater advantage.  Now I know that there are some things we must go through alone in order for us to gain our next measure of faith; however, there is a reason we have the extended family called the body of Christ, which we're members.  Leviticus 26:7-8 says "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. ⁸ Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you."  You need at least four other people that you trust and can confide in when you're going through...together you can scatter your enemies! 

Lord, help us and our children to rely solely on your faithfulness when we're in the midst of trials.  Remind us that even though our pity party seems warm and fuzzy, that's not where You want us to remain.  Help us to receive Your wisdom and truth to combat the lies and deceit of satan.  Help us as parents to create an "open door policy" for our children to come to us when they're in need and more importantly, show them that they can walk through that open door without concern of judgment.  Just as You've given us access, we must do the same for them.  #ACCESS_GRANTED #NO_ISOLATION

In Jesus name, Amen!

May 21 - YES!

I pray that my child will have a teachable and submissive spirit that says "yes" to the things of God and "no" to the things of the flesh.  Strengthen him/her to stand strong in his/her convictions.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

There's nothing like a "know-it-all" child!  I sometimes have to remind my ten year old son that I have the benefit of a few years over him and I know a few more things than he does.  If you're not teachable; it's safe to say that you're not growing because the more you know, the more you grow.  We have to be diligent in praying that our children are teachable in order for them to continue growing and to ensure they are equipped for life.

When we pray that our children submit to the things of God, we should also pray for their strength and ours.  Anyone that knows anything about submission, knows that the greatest struggle is mostly in the mind.  Submitting to the things of God may seem to our children like they're giving up or losing something, BUT in reality submission to God, grants admission to peace, protection and power through His will.  Saying "yes" to the things of God are not always easy because it challenges our comfort.  God rarely asks us to do something that is within our capacity...mainly because we'd most likely take credit for it.  When our children are teachable and submissive to the Spirit; God can stretch and grow them...something that's necessary for them to be effective in their walk.

We pray that our children say YES!
http://youtu.be/vK47InW6EhY

May 1

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:16-17 (NIV)

The world and all its enticements are very attractive to our children.  If we're open and honest, there are some things that are attractive to us as well.  "The greater our weakness and trials for Christ, the more grace God will give to accomplish his will.  What he gives is always sufficient for us to live our daily lives, to work for him, and to endure our suffering and thorns in the flesh" (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes). 

Getting our children to realize that the desires of the world pass away, but the wages of sin is death, should be a priority.  There is a saying that "only what's done for Christ will last" and we need to make sure that our children have this etched in their brains.  The real reward lies in doing the will of God...the reward of eternal life.

Dear Lord, we pray that our children will not fret "because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong, for like the grass they will soon wither".  They will trust in the Lord and do good; they will delight in You and You will give them the desires of their hearts.  We pray that all their ways are committed to You...our children shall do the will of God.  In Jesus name, Amen!

April 29

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom; the word denotes far more than the absence of war and conflict.  Shalom's basic meaning is harmony, wholeness, soundness, well-being and success in all areas of life.  (1) Peace can refer to tranquility in international relationships, such as peace between warring nations.  (2) It can also refer to a settled feeling within a nation, as during times of prosperity and no civil war.  (3) It can be experienced as wholeness and harmony in human relationships, both inside the home and outside the home.  (4) It can refer to one's personal sense of wholeness and well-being, free from anxiety and at peace within our own souls and with God.  (5) Finally, even though the word shalom is not used in Genesis 1--2, shalom describes the original created world that existed in perfect harmony and wholeness.  When Adam and Eve listened to the voice of the serpent and ate from the forbidden tree, their disobedience introduced sin and disrupted creation's original harmony.  (The Peace of God, Article; Full Life Study Bible)

The "peacemakers" are those who have been reconciled to God. They have peace with him through the cross. They now strive by their witness and life to bring others, including their enemies, to peace with God. (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes)  In other words, the "peacemakers" got their happy back!

I remember a few years back, I went into a corner store on the east side and ran into a girl that I was classmates with in middle school.  She kept staring at me so I said "hello" (it was clear she was trying to remember me).  She said "you look familiar" and I responded; "yes, we went to Mohawk together".  She then said, "oh yeah, you didn't like me".  I chuckled and said "I liked everyone, maybe it was you that didn't like me" as I walked out the store.  After all those years, this woman was still disrupted by something that quite frankly had no bearing on either of our present lives.  Even if I didn't like her then (honestly never had a reason to dislike her), that was over twenty years ago...why give it life again?!?  Though I didn't wrap my arms around her in a moment of prayer; I'd like to think, that on that day...I was a peacemaker!

Lord, in order for us to effectively be a witness for peace; we must first make peace within ourselves.  Help us to recognize and reconcile any areas of disobedience in obedience to You.  We pray peace over our children, their hearts, minds and spirits.  Your word says that You will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our minds on You and trust You, so we submit our thoughts to Your will.  We pray peace all around our children to scatter any confusion and disorder.  Father, we know that as we walk in peace, as our children walk in peace, trials will surely come.  Nevertheless, peace will rule our hearts, we will pursue peace and we will not forfeit the blessedness of peace.  In Jesus name, Amen!