As I begin to plan the next school year, I’ve claimed this as my theme verse:
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (I Samuel 12:23).
Prayer and teaching – pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?
Prayer. When your children wake early and your husband comes home late, when do you pray?
God knows the heart of a mother. I’ve found that posting scripture around the house is a huge help, reminding me to pray for them. In my bathroom, I have a sheet posted on the door of scriptures to pray for your children. I also have been trying to pray over them at night as I tuck them in, rather than giving a quick kiss and running off to do my own thing.
Often, I will wake in the middle of the night for no reason, and instead of tossing and turning, I ask God, “What do you want me to pray about?” These have been sweet times with Him as I sit in the stillness and listen for Him. If we’re memorizing scripture, I’ll pray through the verses. Sometimes I’ll be convicted of an area of sin, and other times a name will come to my mind.
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:6
And though all of this is good, I’m going to attempt a concerted effort to reclaim the morning time for Him. I’ve cleared a special spot in my closet for prayer, and I hope that if I’m quiet enough, I can slip in there and pray without waking the family! We’ll see how it goes. 🙂
Reading through the Psalms has been a huge inspiration. It essentially a prayer book for the believer!
“Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life!” (69:1)
“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.” (67:1)
“Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor his lovingkindness from me.” (66:20)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (51:10)
“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.” (43:3)
I mark prayer passages in green in my Bible. This is another way that prayer becomes a natural thing instead of a forced habit. Praying the words of God gives me confidence to approach Him.
When do you make time to pray? I’d love more suggestions. The more I talk to our Heavenly Father, the more I want to talk to Him!
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly, my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (63:1)
