Hi friends! I’ve missed you tons. It’s just about killed me to be connect with you each day like we were during our Spring online study!
I don’t know about you, but summer throws me for a loop when my kids get out of school and normal is nowhere to be found.
And all this amazing plans for things I wanted to do get topsy turvy.
One of the things I decided last weekend that I had to do is set some summer goals to keep me sane. Ya’ll should see me; one minute Im playing doll house, 10 minutes later Im checking emails and trying to return a few calls, while blowing bubbles and re-filling a juice cup; then I’m helping Andrew make flyers and set prices for his new lawn-mowing business while cooking pizza. It’s fun and crazy all at the same time!
So, about my summer-sanity goals… my first goal is to to become more consistent in praying for my kids. This week I decided I’d choose a promise each week to pray for my each of my kids. I thought you might want to join me. Here’s my prayer for this week:
Lord, thank you for the gift of being my children’s mom. I pray that You – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – would help each of my kids understand just how wide, how long, how high and how deep YOUR love is for each of them. Eph 3:18I pray Jesus that You would reveal Your love to them in a unique and personal way this week with a gift that speaks their love language – for Aster the gift of a rainbow, Joshua the gift of words and encouragement and Andrew the gift of knowing You are real, You are present, pursuing and speaking to him.Will You do immeasurably more than this mama can think of or imagine when it comes to how much my kids know Your love. And make me a praying mom, a pursuing-You mom, a vessel You can use to live and love the way you do in my home. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Want to you join me in praying God’s promises for someone you love?
{Click “Share Your Thoughts” below. I’d love to pray with you for those you love!}
PS. I am still planning on us doing a study on listening to God, but with my kids home 24/7 and them needing food for breakfast, lunch and dinner – every day. Hmm, that little plan and hope of mine got a little postponed. But God’s teaching me a whole lot about listening to Him this summer so I’ll have lots to share on that topic soon. And I’ll keep you posted!
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Thank you for reminding me to pray for my only daughter. She is such a joy in my life sometimes I become lax in praying for her.
Renee! Oh, how I’ve missed you! I’ve been praying for you and your family. It’s great to hear you’re having a great, but busy summer!
Please continue to pray for me as I continue to recover from surgery. Also, pray for my husband. He’s working two jobs trying to maintain the household while I’m recovering. Even with insurance the bills are still mounting. I’m trying not to stress, but its hard to sit back and watch him work so hard. Even if I had a job, I wouldn’t be able to work because of surgery.
You sound like you are having fun. I remember when I used to do things like that. My summer is not fun as you are having. My summer is in the negative. ( I seem to make many mistakes . I guess out of desperation- I had to move . No where to go , Rented a room in another person`s house that was different. Love my JESUS !! This is not a JESUS house. Miss my own place – cause of Finances. So I have not been in my Bible much. It seems like I read but there is nothing there. I understand things are different around here. I know I need to get back into God and Prayers. You could Help me on that , if you would. I am standing by myself and it is not easy. Praise the you are having a Grand time.
Renee,
God bless you for continuing to answer the call in which He’s extended to you. Your obedience help so many other women to align ourselves up where we should be with God. I miss you also. Also, my children are adults, although I realize now more than ever they need my prayer. They are unique individuals with their own plans, interests, and lifestyles and sometimes it doesn’t line-up with what I would be having them to do or the way that I would have them to go. However, thank God for being God and Him reminding me He is the almighty and all-knowing and my only task is to pray for them. Your post reminds me to pray for them daily and not just often.
Be blessed,
your sister in Christ
SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU RENEE!!! I as well have missed hearing from you. Knew your summer had to be busy with the kids and just life. Hope your mom is still doing well.
Thank you, for your prayer today. We all have persons that can be prayed for. One of the special things that you shared with us is placing a cross at your night table and writing those prayer concerns on a card and leaving them at the foot of the cross. I have started doing that and what a difference your prayer life takes.
Can’t wait to hear about a new study with you.
Always know you are in my prayers and appreciate your ministry.
Have a wonderful day with your family and know you are loved.
Thank you for reminding me of laying my concerns at the foot of the cross each night by my bedside. This is a wonderful idea and I had forgotten it during the confident heart study. God Bless You and Yours
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful prayer with us. It’s so needed the way this world turns and how much we need to be praying for our children and our own lives to encircle us with the greatest trust he has for us to not only care for our children for all their needs but to nurture their lives with Christ. I at this point and time are the leader in my home and hoping and praying to one day that God will encompass my husband’s life. But for now, I lead my children and it’s the greatest blessing to have them tell me something they learned in Sunday school. Just a blessing as are you. Thank you for all you have done, your doing and you continue to do to help us reach a better understanding. 🙂
God bless you, Renee.
Renee, I miss being in touch this summer, but I remember the summers with my four children at home. I wait patiently for our next study, I am learning to wait and listen for the Lord. Will you pray with my husband and I for our two grown children 36 years, and 28, married and with children, for our two teens 17 and 18 still at home. For our older children to continue to walk in God’s guidance and light, and to depend on Him daily. For our teens to turn from the temptation of the world, and to seek God’s face and His will for their lives, instead of the lies satan places before them.
Thank you wonderful friend, you and the Proverb 31 sisters are beautiful, loving and gracious. I thank God for you all daily, and for taking time out of your busy schedules with family, work, to encourage and share with all of us….I’m sure I speak for a lot of women when I say, “there are days that start rough, but knowing that we have our emails full of encouragement, keeps us going!
Thank You Precious Lord.
Thank you for sharing this prayer for your children. It was just what I needed.
I am making a prayer journal. Thank you and may God bless you.
I love the idea to use a prayer journal for the prayers for our children. Thanks Cheri.
I also pray for my children, grandchildren and husband that they would come to have a personal relationship with the the Dear Lord and for unity in Him in our family! This is dearest to my heart!
God is good, faithful, patient and has always given me the encouragement and hope I’ve needed to carry on through difficulties and trust in Him when I don’t know what to do. Learning His word and bringing it to mind is a great help–patiently waiting on Him–communing with Him throughout the day about everything, praying for people and things He puts on my mind–staying close to Him. He is my All in All!
I am working on finishing the Confident Heart book this summer as I got a late start and have been a bit slow. I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it! I’ve been keeping a journal of the scriptures and other things I want to remember so I can read over them and memorize helpful scriptures.
Thank you Renee for being an encouragement and inspiration so that we can learn and grow and also encourage others. I pray for you and for all the women involved in your study, knowing God knows each one and praying He will work in each life as is needed to His praise and glory!
Renee,
I am thinking like Cheri. I need to listen to God more. I love to just sit still in his presence that is my favorite time of the morning when everyone is sleeping however, my summer has been like yours. My mom visited for the fourth of July she flew in from Denver to Atlanta where we live. She has many challenges right now and she came to see me to get away from them all. She has 10 grandchildren living with her. Three of them are parents to a total of 7 children. My mom feels responsible for them but she really isn’t. They need to find jobs and homes of their own to take care of themselves and their children.
You are a gentle reminder for me. I need to pray for my children, my mother, my nieces and their children. I pray for my children (Ronald is 26 years and Nia is 16 years) to have a closer relationship with Jesus. I pray that I don’t hinder their growth by taking Jesus’ place in their lives. I pray Ronald is able to find employment being a math teacher for high school age children as he has dreamed of, I pray he and Nia stay focused on God and what is really important. I pray Nia receives scholarships and is accepted at the best college for her and for what God will have her to do. I pray I listen and obey God quickly. For my nieces I pray salvation, healing, and deliverance. For my mother I pray peace, faith and security in Jesus and that she is able to find the strength she needs to say no when necessary. Thanks Renee God bless you!
Please pray for Aaron. He is my friend who I am absolutely in love with. He is a believer, however, he is chasing the world big time:( He told me he asked God to let him do his own thing but to protect him. His own thing is very sick and saddens me to none other. He is a very broken man. Please keep him lifted. Thanks!!!
Praying for Aaron and for you!
please pray for my kids (both are still young 2 yrs girls & 1 yr boy) they are uncontrollable kids and quite stubborn. Everyday they make something that makes me upsets and sometimes i lost my temper and all those dirty word will come out from my mouth. Even everyday i pray so i can have a patient and they will be a good kids but seems that there is no changes at all. Plus my husband is not a very helpful to look after them and many times we will end up fighting just because of them. Please pray for my family.
Amanda, I certainly understand what it is like to have 2 toddlers at once. My four children were all less than two years apart. I know the struggles of disciplining them as well. They are still very young, so you have plenty of time. I would suggest a couple of things. Is there a godly woman who has older children that you could talk to? Maybe someone from your church. She could be very valuable to you offering advice. I would also go to your church library and find some good books on discipline. Dr. James Dobson has a wonderful book…. been around a LONG time, but still very effective. “The Strong Willed Child”. If you could find a MOPS program in your area, that would be a great way to find some support. I would also encourage you to get your husband on board with this. Y’all need to be in complete agreement about discipline and keep it very consistent. Maybe he can read the books with you, or you can have a time that you condense and tell him the things you have read. Of’course, the main thing you can do is to pour your heart out to God. He will give you the wisdom you need and also the encouragement, the strength and ability. Pray with your husband;) I am praying for you!
Praying for you and the very hard times of being a mommy of toddlers – esp two. Oh Jesus, help Amenda.
Also, lacy shared some great advice too!!
Praying for you today!
Renee:
First off, this is a good idea to just take a week and pray for someone in particular, for me that would be my mother. She and I have had our differences, more so that I have gotten older and it seems to be getting worse by the minute. So, I thank you for this and I will start this today. She is NOT a believer, so this is even more important for me. I do believe she will be saved one day. Second, is the “Listening to God” an online Bible Study”? I would like to join in, should schedule permit and what not, it seems like an interested topic for sure, as I find myself questioning, “is this God, me or the devil, as I am sure this has happened to many believers before.
Iesha
Leesha, it’s one of our most common questions. It will be an online study here on my website/blog 🙂
I will be praying for you. My precious mother went home to be with The Lord 2years ago and I miss her so much. I will pray your mom will become a believer that will make all the difference . We have to let them see Jesus in us. I pray you both will work your difference out. No one can take the place of a mother.
Carol
My adult children all need the nudge to make their spiritual lives more alive! Would welcome all prayers for this! I need to be more committed to daily prayer asking God to be all I can be as their mom and also help to bring my children closer to Him!
I cannot wait for learning more on LISTENING to God! I’ve been struggling with this one!
Thanks for the post about praying for your kids. That I something I feel I need to do more of and your prayer gave me more ideas to pray for them. We need to pray God’s word into our kids everyday. Thanks.
Amen, lifting you and your kids up today!
Renee and Proverbs 31 Fellowship: Thank you for praying with me for my three teen age children. My son graduated high school this year and will attend a small Christian college in August. He is a great student and servant. I pray for safety and a smooth transition for him (and me:/). My middle child is 17 and has autism. He is a homeschool student who is working on occupational skills. I pray that he continues to progress and maintain positive behavior so he can be a productive member of the family and community. And for my little girl…..She is 14 years old and struggles with self esteem. She has entered the scary realm of internet relationships, which are scary and potentially dangerous. During her online home school situation this year, she secretly abandoned her studies to pursue this lifestyle of role playing and fantasy. We have administered discipline, removed all media, and gotten extensions for some of her classes (and dropped a few) so that she can hopefully stay on grade level in the coming year. She will attend a public school, as we do not have many private options. My prayer for her is that she submits to the Holy Spirit and uses her creative energy for God’s glory. The oldest and youngest will leave in 1 week for a mission trip to Guatemala, with my husband. I pray that God has something amazing and life changing in store for them. Thank you for your amazing provision and protection, as we meet our challengs head on. Be Glorified.
Agreeing with you in prayer Patti!!
Your prayer this morning is a God moment! Thank you. My daughter is 17 and she is struggling with I’m not pretty enough, too skinny, hair not just right, friends moving away and a boyfriend that we aren’t excited about. God has called her to for His best – not for her good! This prayer was just exactly what I needed as a start to pray for her and over her and with her!!!
Praying with you Christy!!
Good Morning, Lord Jesus. I thank you for our three sons and I pray that each one of them come to know you personally and live lives to your glory. Open the eyes of their hearts, Lord, and let them see the truth of your gift to each one of them – the gift of salvation. Help their father and I to live lives to reflect You always being the light that each one of these boys needs. Remove any barriers between them and You. Help them to know that there is HOPE through You. Life is tough and all three of these boys struggle with their own demons. Please forgive us if we have been a barrier to their believe and trust in You. We have made mistakes and have regrets. It is our prayer that they come to know You and that there be rejoicing in heaven. In Your Precious Name, I pray, Amen
Praying with you Marilyn!
Renee,
I would love if you could help me pray for my children as well. My husband and I are a blended family for 6 1/2 years now. I have 2 girls, 21 and 13, and my husband has a daughter 13 also-which 3 daughters is a Challenge enough. My youngest has decided to move with her father, he lives in Florida. This has been a long and somewhat grueling process for me especially, but ultimately for the family. My 21 year old is straying away from me at this time as well as I count down the days (22) til my youngest moves away. My oldest is telling me things that are hard to hear and unsure if really true or just thoughts from a young ‘adult’ that doesn’t understand the toughness of being a parent. As if not enough or us to deal with my stepdaughter doesn’t come to often and when she does its only about seeing my youngest and being rude to my husband and I. This is taking a toll on me and having a hard time staying faithful. I’m feeling like a bad mom and that I must’ve done something really wrong for my kids to want to leave me. I did recently really concentrate on praying fr them but feel like I don’t know what to really pray for. I’m at a loss and struggle to keep my faith so that’s can lead my family that is resolving before my eyes.
Praying with you Nicole. I feel God nudging me to share some of what we’re learning as parents, but I have a conf call in 5mins. This is hard stuff. But we can get through it with Jesus and each other!
Renee, I have missed you too this summer. I am excited that you plan to teach on LISTENING to God.
What an eye-opener for me and many others. We often remind our children to LISTEN; but we often forget to take time ourselves to LISTEN to the Lord.
Your mention of that really spoke to me. I’m going to attempt to find time to LISTEN to God, or to just listen and sit quietly in his presence.
Love in Christ,
Praying for you Cheri. Praying for you to hear Him speak to your heart in a whisper today. Through a song, a piece of beauty or some creative way He just lets you know He is there loving you!