A Template for Prayer
“I’d rather deal with triplets in diapers than one teenager.”
This mom was serious. Teens were rocking her world. I sensed her frustration but didn’t fully understand her perspective. After all, I was still chasing a toddler around the church lobby.
Yet, as the years went by, I began to understand. The teens years can be challenging. Thankfully, we had good kids but we recognized the effects peer pressure had on them . Would they make wise choices? Would they stay on the right path? I’d been told a mom wields more power through prayer than from anything she could do. God’s Word became my guideline. Prayer my constant companion.
I grabbed templates of scripture to guide my personal prayer vigil. My heart’s desire was for my boys to make wise choices. I was amazed at how certain prayers in the Bible expressed those longings. Discernment to make wise choices was high on my list. Choosing the higher road rather than just being mediocre was another priority. Assured that God’s Word would accomplish its purposes, I knew I had an advantage when I prayed scripture.
Scripture Readings: Colossians 1:9-10
We have not stopped praying for you and asking God
to fill you with the knowledge of His will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
and please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work
and growing in the knowledge of God.
Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more
in knowledge and depth of insight
so you may able to discern what is best
and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
I John 5:14
This is the confidence we have in approaching God
that if we ask ask anything according to His will He hears us,
and if He hears us, we know that we have what we asked of Him.
Isaiah 55:11
My Word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Questions to consider:
1. What are the desires of your heart for your children or loved ones?
2. List four or five points to pray from the Colossians passage.
3. What words stand out to you in the Philippians prayer?
4. Insert your child’s name within one of these prayers. Repeat it often in prayer.
5. Why is praying scripture more effective and powerful?
Summary:
May I encourage you to write down your desires for your family. Find a template for prayer in scripture. Inscribe your child’s name in the margins of your Bible. Pray the promises of God. My life verse is 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Because that’s the longing of my heart, I pray for it constantly. By using specific verses from the Bible as our template, we know we are praying according to the will of God…and can be assured He will move heaven to answer.
The desires of my heart for my children and loved ones is that they will live in the center of the will of GOD for their lives – that they will be praying children and loved ones – that they ask the LORD what would be HIS will for their lives – for them to listen to the voice of GOD – we know that HE speaks to each one of us – only if we will listen and hasten according to HIS word. My Husband and I always started our days with prayer even just before we would leave for work and this is so important – it is a praying family. 1. Never stop praying and seeking the LORD each day 2. Ask for HIS knowledge and understanding of things that would happen in our daily lives
3. We must always pray to do HIS will and live a life that is worthy of HIM 4. We must bear good fruit in every one of our works 5. Always have HIM in our lives each day.
In Philippians the things that stands out to me is that my love may grow more and more in knowledge and judgment of the LORD and that I may always be sincere until the day of HIS return – leading others and showing them the way of the LORD. You and I are put here on this earth to do HIS will and lead other to HIM. May Christi Richardson – Trina Rich – Grandson Brandon Richardson – Son-n-law Richard Richardson serve the LORD with all of their hearts – work for the LORD down here on this earth – showing people the way to serve the LORD – That they may ask things according to HIS will and the LORD will hear them. I am very blessed – my children are serving the LORD and working for HIM on this earth. If we are speaking and praying scriptures out of our mouths it will not return void – but it will do that which I please and it will prosper. I love your life verse in 3 John 4 also – that is so good and we want those things also for our family. Another thing I find very important in my prayer life each morning – when I tell someone I am going to remember them in prayer – their names goes on my prayer list and will continue their name each morning for GOD’S will to be done in their lives – for Healing – for Love – for Finances – for Family problems – I find this list reminds me other people are hurting in this old world each day of their lives. Again Karen this is a wonderful lesson and we can relate to it in our lives here on this earth – You and I are the working children of GOD leading the way for our MASTER. LOVE IT ============