DISCIPLESHIP SCHOOL: GROWING IN PRAYER

Happy Monday ladies.

For week 3, I decided to focus on PRAYER.

Our children were taught from infancy about prayer. Of course, as they have grown, so have their prayers.

I realized though that they pray during the same times of days and situations:

1. MORNING : SCHOOL AND WORSHIP TIMES
2. BEFORE WE EAT
3. BEFORE WE TRAVEL
4. IN TIMES OF IMMEDIATE NEED
5. AT CHURCH
6. BEFORE BEDTIME

I decided to sit down with them and go over the Lord’s Prayer again. Matthew 6.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

We then talked about other types of prayers: like asking the Lord, who knows our hearts, to reveal to us things we need to repent of and grow in.

Both girls admitted that they don’t pray much for things like that. My oldest is 12 and so we had a really good discussion about looking at yourself more than you look at others. In her little life, she is usually focused on what her sister is or isn’t doing.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139

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Mama’s we have to instruct our young ones how to pray. Look to the Word and show them how others prayed and what they prayed for.

What organically came up through this conversation is praying for those who are our enemies.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you – Matthew 5:44

I asked the girls to write down 5 things that they usually do not pray about or for.

Both girls thought about praying for President Biden. I felt kind of convicted that I hadn’t been leading them in prayer for him all along. We shouldn’t just pray for the leaders we like but also those we do not support with our vote.

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The girls then took their lists and went alone and spent time praying over them.

We will continue to work on prayer in a deeper manner.

If your children are younger, lead them in the Lord’s prayer and for other things and people – without the prompting of “it’s prayer time.” Getting them into a habit of praying continually throughout the day will be beneficial as they mature in Christ and grow as young people.

Philippians 4:6,7:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”

1 John 5:14:

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

Luke 11:9-13:

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Of if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”