Sep. 21, 2009 - Praying over our children
In my last post, I mentioned how I pray over our children regularly. Last week, at the monthly mom's meeting at our church, Mom to Mom, we discussed the importance of praying over our kids. I shared my "Snake story" and asked what other moms prayed.
There were a lot of great responses! I just wanted to share a few before I forgot them.
One mom of a 1 1/2 boy, said that her husband had night terrors as a little boy and, after reading they might be genetic, she started praying over her son to "think God thoughts, be filled with God dreams" and to have a peaceful sleep along with other things. She relayed that the rare night that she doesn't pray those things over her son, invariably, he wakes up more and his sleep is not as restful.
Another, a mom of 6, regularly prays a beautiful prayer, which I can't remember most of, but one thing that stuck out is to pray "that the Holy Spirit minister to her children as they sleep." Isn't that beautiful.
So, along with praying for our children's safety as they run through the snake infested woods, or ride their bikes, this is a great reminder of the importance of also praying over our children as they sleep.
In the Bible, time and time again, we see how God spoke to people through dreams and visions. How exciting to ask the Lord to speak to our children as well! The Bible says in Acts 2:17...
'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
That says "YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS." Don't underestimate the incredible potential of our children being filled by the spirit of God and being radically different for Christ. It doesn't just happen though....we need to free them up to spend time with God....to model by example the importance of spending time in the Bible and in prayer. To say "no" to things that might clutter their time and brains.....music/video games/too many "good" extra curricular activities/movies, even "good clean" ones.
Fill their brains with praise music and share with them all God has been showing you. Let them experience God as we do, not just read good stories about other people who have had an encounter with God....LEAD them to an encounter with God and pray that He even reveal Himself to our children MORE than we have ever experienced ourselves.
That is my greatest joy as a mom. Getting to introduce them to my Savior. Teach them what the voice of God sounds like. Seeing the Holy Spirit begin to convict and sharpen their souls....and watch them walk in victory over the temptations of the flesh (attitudes/wrong thoughts/bickering/anger) that our culture say are a normal part of growing up.
I believe it all starts with prayer though!
Comments
Sep. 22, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Eunice
Your hearts coming through on this one! AMEN!
Leading our children to Jesus is the biggest privilege we have. It is the most fulfilling thing we do. When they pour out their hearts to the Lord and pray a praayer of honesty and humility, it blesses us, and it the fruit of things like prayer and bible and praise.
Praying over our husbands and children is such a joy! I cannot count the times (though I should keep a record) of obvious intervention and/or safe keeping. Hubby has been commuting for over 8 years now and not one morning has went by that I haven't prayed over him before he left. We acknowledge our need of the Lord when we pray!
And I have to second the dreams and visions of what you said as well Misti! We moms need to hear this kind of talk! It's unbelieveable when one of our children receives word in their dream and then the thing happens or the 'dream' ministers a truth! God speaks and we don't need to poo-poo the fact!
Thank you!
Sep. 27, 2009 - Well said!
Posted by mamatigerj
I was random blog browsing this evening and came across yours. I really enjoyed it. I have 7 children also (5 girls & 2 boys) who span 11 & 1/2 years. Mine are older, 19 down to 7.
Blessings~
Oct. 17, 2009 - Thank you for your Godly encouragement!
Posted by another homeschooling mom
I stumbled upon your blog during a search for SOW reviews. I read your post, then clicked on your blog homepage and was pleasantly surprised to find so much encouragement about praying over my child! I've been praying over him since before he was even conceived in my womb. He is almost 15 now and I still pray over him daily. But sometimes I find I need encouragement to keep on keeping on. KWIM?
It was such a blessing to read the testimonies, as you recounted them, of how others pray over their children. Your words spoke to my heart so much that I'm inspired to begin a prayer journal with a list of prayers that I want to pray over my son. I want to write things down as God speaks to my heart the important nuggets of wisdom regarding how to pray for my child.
Thank you for sharing your heart on the matter! God bless you in your homeschooling journey! :-)
