Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 5: 16-18 God wants us to never stop praying - that part is easy to understand. But many women aren't exactly sure what that looks like. I remember hearing the term 'keep an attitude of prayer" and wondering what in the world that meant. It was during a study I did on prayer that I finally understood. God wants us to be mindful of Him, conscience that He's there. He wants us to talk with Him all day long. Not just about our problems, although He is there to help. He wants us to share our joys and gratitude, and to intercede for others. He is with us at all times; we just have to acknowledge Him there. For example, my husband and I recently purchased a new vehicle. For that first month after we drove it home, each time I climbed into that truck, I told God how awesome it was to drive a new vehicle, how much I loved seeing my husband's happiness, how … [Read more...]
Bedtime Prayer vs. Morning Prayer
Does it matter when you pray with your child? Soon after my son started middle school, I stopped praying with him when I tucked him in at night. Actually, I had stopped tucking him in altogether, opting instead to just give him a hug after he'd changed into pajamas and reminding him to say a prayer before he fell asleep. As parents begin to pull back to allow more independence, it's sometimes hard to know where to draw the lines. I had decided my middle schooler no longer needed my presence when he went to bed, but I desperately missed that bonding time with him. Was there another way I could connect with him on a more grown-up level? When he told me about the boy at church who prayed each morning with his mother, I admit I got worried. I was afraid he was going to think it was babyish and cheesy, that a big kid didn't need such mushy stuff. He had entered the age where cool was the rule, and I was certain daily prayer with mom wasn't cool. I was wrong. My son thought … [Read more...]
House Cleaning Prayers are Answered Too!
Blessings can be exhausting. Recently my family has been blessed with two extra bedrooms, another bathroom and a large kitchen/dining room. What a blessing! We need the room. But the extra work that has come along with it has started to seem somewhat overwhelming. Working full-time and caring for my kids full-time as well as housework, shopping, drop offs and pick ups, and everything else that we moms do – I’m exhausted. Add in cleaning and painting, shifting furniture and moving possessions, I’m not going to lie, I hit the wall this weekend. I was done. My entire house was a mess; the more time I spent on the “new” portion of the house, the more the regular work was backing up in the “old” portion of the house. There seemed to be a never ending cycle of work needing to be done. I prayed for God to give me strength and energy, and when I could work no more, I began my house cleaning prayers. Over the weekend I spent the morning and afternoon with my children at various activities … [Read more...]
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