Why This One Gift Is The Very Best We Can Offer

We are in Week 1 of The Madness of Motherhood, and this first week we are going back to the basics, last time looking at what it means to fight for Truth, and today… grabbing onto the greatest gift we can give our children. 

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She was missing, and my 6-year-old heart went looking.

As I snuck down the hall and turned that left corner, I saw her. Once again, on her knees by the side of her bed. My mother, knelt in prayer, for what felt like forever to my young impatient heart.

Mom, I need something. Mom, can we get to work. Mom, a question. But she was undeterred for this moment, because she knew this to be true: Prayer was the greater work.

Growing up, my mother attended prayer meetings. Held prayer meetings. Prayed with me, prayed for me. When my teenage questions came, her question was always… “have you prayed about it?”

As a husband and babies arrived, with each one, she would announce that she had a blessing she prayed over them, and when could she come over, because she had written it out and wanted to give it to them.

For years now she has told me she is praying for me, for all of us, for each of her grandbabies, wherever they were, by name. Psalm 91 is her prayer passage of choice, praying we would dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Prayers prayed. Every single day. All of my days.

What does that do for a life?

What kind of gift is that?

To be the one so intent to pray for those you love, to be on your knees, to seek the face of the Father on behalf of your children.

To be the recipient of a gift that spans years, filled up with the vastness of prayers.

What if we really believed that prayer matters?

My “baby” turned 9 this week, and Legos was his primary request, which I absolutely obliged because when it’s your littlest…you remember that days of asking for Legos will soon be gone.

My tendency is to lean towards traditions, birthdays and holidays of intentionality, wrapped gifts, foods of choice, parties, and sweet words about their value and the day they arrived in our lives.

The gift of prayer though…

Lord, what if I lived my life as if this gift of prayer mattered?

Your open invitation, extended to me, to approach your throne with confidence, with boldness, with intentionality, and bring every last thing to you.

What would that do for all of us? Those of us here, who say we know you, who declare that for me and my house, we will serve the Lord..what would prayer ignite in all of us?

God let me be a woman who prays.

Let me be a mother who prays for my children.

Let me be found on my knees, doing dishes, driving to that next thing, praying intentionally for our family.

For my sons and daughter.

That they would have the depths of Your wisdom to navigate this ridiculously difficult and painful world.

That they would know You and claim You as their God.

They they wouldn’t learn how to “do Church” well, but that they would “be the Church” with all they do and say and become.

That they would love You with their lives.

That they would pour out Your love to the people You put in their path.

This quote by Oswald Chambers has met me so many times:

Prayer does not equip us for greater works,
prayer is the greater work.

My mom has believed this all my life. The time and intentional words spoken by her, to the Father, what have those prayers accomplished in my life? Some of it will only be known on the other side of this whole thing, but I believe it’s so far beyond what my eyes can see.

What if we, the mothers of this generation, what if we believed that prayer is the greater work?

What if we believed that when we sought the Lord on behalf of our children, that not only does it matter, it impacts life beyond what we can see?

Today, take some quiet space to read through these…

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:12

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

He hears us, and He is working beyond what our eyes can see.

Every prayer offered for your child today matters. So today, be encouraged, as a mom who loves them, as a warrior who stands on behalf of them… pray.

Pray from your confidence.

Pray from your gratitude.

Pray from your broken heartedness.

Pray for their salvation.

Pray for them to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid, to not be discouraged, knowing it is the Lord God who is with them wherever they go.

Pray they would know the love of God that surpasses all knowledge, that they would be filled up with all the fullness of God.

Pray that they would grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

That they would love the Lord their God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength, and love their neighbor as themselves.

The very best gifts go beyond plans and perfection, but are found in the secret places of powerful and intentional prayer.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

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For the next four weeks, we are taking some time out for the mamas.
The Madness of Motherhood Series will provide key truths and big encouragements for your mother’s heart.
If you know a mom who would be encouraged by this series,
invite them to join us here.