When we pray . . . .

Never Stop

www.happilyparenting.com

The fall and winter months can be FULL to say the least, and there may be days when your only quiet times are the 30 seconds before you fall asleep.

Does that sound familiar?

If you find yourself lacking quality time to focus on your relationship with God, keep this verse in mind. You can (and should) pray while you're changing diapers, driving to school (eyes open OB-viously), baking cupcakes, listening to a conference call, homeschooling, working on that overdue report, ironing your husband's pants, and yes, in those 30 seconds before you fall asleep.

We have a Father who hears our thoughts and knows our hearts at ALL times.

 

Pray in Their Rooms

A few years ago, I read a short article about a woman who consistently prayed for her children and listened to praise and worship music in their rooms while they were away. I liked the idea, but I remember wondering what the big deal was about their rooms—it almost seemed superstitious to me. 

I’ve changed my mind. My little one started school this year, so for the first time in many years, I’m finding myself alone in the house. And while I can pray for my children anywhere, I see this lady’s point: there’s something special about praying for them while I’m in their rooms. (I love that line from Shadowlands where Jack is talking about prayer, and he says, “It doesn’t change God; it changes me.”) 

My kids are old enough to clean their own rooms, but I still spend time in there weeding out clothes and occasionally restoring order to the drawers. I like the idea of touching my son’s toy hammer and praying that he’ll grow up to be just like his father. I put my daughter’s toy tea set away and pray that she’ll live long enough to have joyous old-lady tea parties with lifelong friends. Praying for them inside their rooms gives me perspective: it reminds me that while correcting their behavior is absolutely crucial to raising them the way I want them to turn out, it’s even more important to point them to the Lord every day. The Holy Spirit can nudge them to behave much better than I can, right? And I’m all about setting this family up for success.

I haven’t tried the music thing yet, but it’s not a bad idea. If I do happen to scare off a demon or something—well, that’s just a cherry on top.

--Andrea