7 Prayers That Work

Okay, God, now you've really done something to me. You've compelled me to become a teacher to my own children. Do you remember how I fought with them last year over their homework? And now you want me to do this ALL DAY LONG? Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith in me produces perseverance.  (James 1:1-2)  But we're back to school at the kitchen table, and I'm freaking out! I can't be responsible for my kids' reading, writing, math, science, history, music, PE, drama, socializing, and personal responsibilities ALL DAY LONG! For who-knows-how-long? I just can't. You should know this about me. You've watched my parenting. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Romans 8:28) Okay, that's just mean, making this a spiritual decision, when obviously, I was not trained as a teacher. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all witho...

Lord Jesus, the Rabbi, You were a teacher. You know how hard it is to present truth and get listeners to hear and understand it. You were creative and interesting and inviting and challenging. Make me like that, whether I'm a parent, a teacher, a supervisor, a manager, or business owner. I'm teaching someone about you every day just by being myself. And I'm learning from someone every day. (Or at least I should be.) I want to seek you and learn from you first and foremost. I want to long for you and miss you when I avoid you. Make me a learner first, and a teacher second. I want my life to count. I want to help someone grow as a person and as a child of God. Infuse me with humility, persistence, wonder, patience, and compassion. I wait on you and listen to you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen. "Your hands have formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands." Psalm 119:73

I'm reading I Kings 17 this morning. The country is in a massive famine. It's a pandemic of starvation. Everything is dried up. There is no food anywhere. The widow of Zarephath is picking up sticks to make her last fire, for her last meal, for herself and her son. Elijah approaches her and asks her to make him some bread. He promises that God will bless her if she obeys and feed him first. She believes. And her oil and flour don't run out. She keeps Elijah alive, and God keeps her and her son alive. They survive the famine. But then the widow's son dies. Look how Elijah prays and how the woman responds. "O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?...O Lord my God, let this boy's life return to him!" And the boy begins to breathe again. Then she says, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord is truth." Oh, Lord, God, Reveal your power and ...

Oh, Lord, I ask for your blessing over my child on his birthday, on this day that you breathed life into him as he entered this broken world. Cover him with your protection, your conviction, and your direction. May he always feel your presence. Speak Scripture to him when he sins. Speak comfort to him when he is afraid. Wrap yourself around him when he is alone. Direct him when he is confused. Always, bring your words of life--the Holy Word of God-- to his heart and memory, and may he cling to your truth. Give his discernment in this confusing world. Stir unrest and reticence when he hears falsehood, and help him to turn back to your Word to verify the truth. Make him a man of spiritual power and authority. Bring men and women in his path to guide him and model Christian living to him. Bring friends into his circle who will support and encourage his walk with you. Bring him a wife at the perfect time for both of them. Help him to wait on your voice, to ...