God Teaches Us Prayer Through Parenting
It’s likely we all pray every day, in some form or fashion. Whether it’s giving thanks before a meal or a quick ‘rocket’ prayer for help or intervention. But what about a dedicated time of prayer each day when we’re talking and listening to the Lord, deeply and intentionally interacting with Him, being still before Him and waiting on Him?
If we’ve parented, or cared for children at all, whether they were our own or belonged to others, we’ve undergone a sort of prayer ‘boot camp’ whether we realize it or not. The skills and habits we developed in taking care of children are those God wants us to use to be more effective in prayer.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
The Apostle Paul used the word ‘devote’ to impress on us the need for more than just “minute prayers”. It is the Greek word ‘proskartereō’ and it means “to be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):—attend (give self) continually.” (1)
Constantly diligent. Doesn’t that describe parenthood? And if we had a busy, adventurous, adrenaline-seeking child, well, that diligence shot to a whole new level. Whether it is an infant, a toddler, really, a child of any age, a parent is constantly diligent because they need to be aware of the dangers, aware of where that little one is, what they’re doing, and be continually ready to intervene. Isn’t that so much like prayer? Always watching, diligently aware, ready to intervene, attending continually. Oh how God gives us such tangible examples of what our walk and talk with Him should be like! Do we recognize it? Do we practice that?
Then, He tells us to be watchful. The Greek word is grēgoreō and it means “to be watchful in, employ the most conscientious care in a thing.” (2) Again, our parenting prepares us well for how we should pray. And God tells us so often to be watchful:
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake (alert) and sober.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
We wouldn’t dream of leaving our children to fend for themselves for days on end, we wouldn’t dare let them venture into dangerous places or with questionable or unsafe people. No, we are always alert and awake, watching and caring. Even as they move into adulthood, our parental watchfulness isn’t easily released. Friends, that is how God wants us to pray. Alert to the dangers at hand and to the enemy who stalks; ever awake and watching for His return. It could happen today!
Finally, Scripture tells us to be thankful. eucharistia is “gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).” (3) Maybe it’s time for a checkup. Is our prayer life an act of worship? Or does it more resemble the ‘instacart’ of our spiritual life, checking off our order and waiting for the delivery?
Devoted, watchful and thankful. That’s the kind of prayer life we need to engage in daily and that which we need to model to our families and to the body of believers. Look around you. This world is on fire. Things are not getting better. Sin is rampant and celebrated. What is right is ridiculed as wrong and offensive. Those who stand for Godly principles are mocked, persecuted, and in some countries, executed. Time is short and Jesus’ return is near. What do we want our sons and daughters to know and remember? Our awareness of the times should increase and deepen our prayer life.
Let’s get on our knees this week in devoted prayer- constantly diligent. Let’s be watchful and pray for what is going on around us and for those who are engaging in spiritual battles. Let’s pray for the Body of Christ, the fellowship of believers, interceding for their spiritual growth and protection. Then, worship the Lord in prayer through thankfulness.
Be thankful we CAN pray- we have that privilege and access. Be grateful that God provides examples and encouragement to guide our prayer so we can align our words and actions with His word and expectations. Be thankful we still have breath and life to intercede for others. Then, let's pray for our sons and daughters that God would guide them to deeper, more effective, more worshipful prayer, too.
Set aside the list and get on your knees and commune with the Father, allow the Holy Spirit to intercede when your words cannot. Pray in Jesus' name for God to work and move powerfully. He will do it.
“Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is because of Him that I can enter Your throne room and sit at Your feet. I praise You for Your greatness. I surrender myself to You, the Great I Am, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings- there is no other. What a tremendous blessing I have in being Your child!”
“Lord, I ask that my prayer would be an act of worship toward You, exalting Your name and bringing glory to You. Teach me to pray more effectively, keep me ‘awake’ so that I would be diligent in prayer- always recognizing the things I need to bring before You and readily falling on my knees to entrust You with each burden, care, and battle. I want to be so devoted to prayer that my sons and daughters would know that their parent prays daily, diligently, and authentically, not just for what I want or wish for, but in serious, spiritually-led prayer that is life-changing, life-protecting, and effective. Lord, I cannot pray well on my own. But You can guide me in prayer so that I please You with my words and with the attitude of my heart. Work in me so that I am always keeping watch, praying for those things You bring to my attention, and allowing You to guide my words and my heart. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
G4342 - proskartereō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4342/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1127 - grēgoreō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1127/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G2169 - eucharistia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2169/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Fight or Flight
Psalm 143:3-4 “The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.”
Friends, the Enemy DOES pursue our sons and daughters. Satan wants nothing more than to defeat believers and bring them down. And nothing frustrates him more than young men and women on fire for God.
Romans 12:12 tells us one of the signature characteristics of a believer is being ‘devoted to prayer’. What does that word ‘devoted’ mean? According to Strong’s concordance (1) it is to be “steadfastly attentive to, continue all the time, be in constant readiness, give unremitting care”
Friends, are we steadfastly attentive to pray for our sons and daughters? And are we encouraging one another in that pursuit? If we are truthful, we would probably say we’re not doing either as much as we should be. And if not, we need to be prepared for what may ensue.
We must be intentional about prayer for our sons and daughters….and serious about it as well. We have to choose to spend time in daily prayer...and then continue it throughout the day. We need to pray for God’s divine protection over them. Satan prowls about looking for who he can devour...not just annoy, but devour. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He seeks to crush any in his path. But here’s the thing. Satan is not omnipresent. He is limited in where he can be. And he’s looking for an easy target. Friends, if we are praying diligently, if we are steadfastly attentive to pleading for the protection of the Omnipotent Omnipresent God of the Universe over our sons and daughters, they will not be an easy target. If we pray for God’s divine protection around them, and the armor of the Lord to guard and protect them, they will not be easily swallowed. The Enemy will need to find another target. We can crush his efforts before He can bring us to defeat.
Today, lets pray that David’s words in Psalm 143:3-4 are not representative of what our sons and daughters experience. Let’s diligently pray for God's protection over them.
Why not write a one-sentence prayer here...and together we can mightily hold up our sons and daughters, and one another as we pray for their protection.
“Lord, the enemy pursues us, yet we ask that you would help each of us stand firm. Surround (name) with Your divine protection today. Though the enemy would seek to crush them to the ground, we pray that You would help them stand firm. Don’t let them be an easy target. Bring scripture to mind that would help (name) take every thought captive. You have not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I pray that the enemy would not have any success to make (name) dwell in the darkness like those long dead. Strengthen (name’s) spirit and embolden their heart so that they can stand up against the enemy and be victorious. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray with diligence. Pray without ceasing.
1. G4342 - proskartereō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4342/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/