If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that I have been praying through the Bible for Brienne for (ahem) about three years. Reading through Scripture in a prayerful manner has opened my eyes to new truths as I apply God’s word to her life.
I am currently reading through Lamentations and came across a verse which I have read and studied before. But this morning, it seemed to leap off the page at me.
“Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children…” Lamentations 2:19 (NIV)
And the Amplified Version even goes so far as to say this:
“Arise [from your bed]…” (emphasis added)
This verse struck me deeply this morning. The author is instructing us to get up out of our beds during the night and pray for the lives of our children. I wonder how many of us pray like this.
I am often guilty of saying a quick one sentence prayer for my children each morning. A short utterance of protection or obedience; a prayer I can check off my list as something I’ve accomplished for the day.
But what if we prayed for our preschoolers as if their very lives depended on it? What if we petitioned the Lord on behalf of our middle schoolers? What if we pleaded for wisdom and protection for our teenagers? Because the frightening truth is – their lives very well may depend on our prayers and faithfulness.
Friends, I want to pour out my heart to Jesus like this.
I want to be on guard every night against the enemy of my children’s souls.
I want to pray for my precious babies as if their lives depend on it.
Moms, let’s step into our calling as prayer warriors over our children. Let’s take our roles seriously, because nothing is more important than raising our children to love Jesus and covering them in prayer each step of the way.