Power of Prayer in our Famiy

By: Victoria Duerstock 

The daunting task of parenthood is not for the faint of heart, or the weak in character and spirit. Many days are an all-out war - battles AND hormones raging.

Likely you began motherhood much the same as I did. Starry eyed looks and enormous love in your hearts for these little bundles who need us so desperately for their survival. We love and nurture, cuddle and care for them. Many times as moms we do this to our own neglect, which on top of sleepness nights can crush us under the heavy weight of their neediness and our weariness.

Before long they start to toddle around and get “lippy.” We start to see our own selves – and not the positive parts- reflected back at us! Where did that sass come from exactly? Oh that’s right, it’s me. We spend our days disciplining out of love, but it’s heartbreaking and an emotional drain when it’s a daily, hourly or even a by the minute battle.

As they age, there’s an ebb and flow of days going well versus fighting the fear of abject failure. They become young people with lives, friends, and interests outside of our homes. While the daily battles may not be less, they are indeed different. Much broader in scope, the consequences for wrong decisions are so much greater. We fear that they will struggle in their independence and we try to control behaviors as best we can, but we fail miserably at being their Holy Spirit. That is not our role anyway!

What they need desperately from us is our prayers. The kind of prayer that has us on our knees, even flat out on our faces. We bow on their behalf in total surrender before the Father who loves them, our babies, even more than we do.

As my own prayer life has deepened over the years, the value of my time and discipline in praying for my own children has increased. I have spent time sitting in their rooms on their beds praying for them.  Crying out to Him that their hearts will be aligned with His. Asking that He will continue to draw them and sanctify them, working His purpose in their lives. I have cried and sat on their floors as I beg God to help them make good choices, and surround themselves with friends who are passionately chasing Him. Recently I began writing verses on my windows in my home to remind myself of the things I pray not only for myself but for each person in my family. The verses on my windows currently are.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work

in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in

humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Written in dry erase marker the reminders are in front of my eyes throughout my day as I walk into and out of rooms. It makes me ever mindful to remember, just like God commanded Israel - Deuteronomy 6:9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Can I encourage you sweet friends, spend quality time in prayer for your family? It doesn’t matter what season you are currently facing – the physically demanding newborns and toddlers, the emotional drains of adolescence, or the mental challenge of teenagers and young adults – we are to bring all of our concerns, our desires and our hopes to Jesus’ feet and leave them there.

Resting in the knowledge of His care for His children, including my own, helps me to run the race with patience. Spend that time praying His word over your children, you absolutely won’t regret it. There will not be a day that you would look back and say that you wasted effort. His word, His promises, do not return void, Isaiah 55:11.

Victoria Duerstock, a mid-South writer and speaker, enjoys sharing with other women her life experiences, affectionately nicknamed “the good, the bad, and the ugly."  Combined with the truth of God's Word, she shares her triumphs and failures to encourage and inspire others. The daughter of a missionary evangelist, church life has always been important to Victoria and her family.  Her desire is to intentionally inspire and minister to women, at all ages and stages.

Married to her husband Rob for almost 21 years, she is also a homeschooling mom to three amazing young people. She has spent many years teaching piano and voice, and now also enjoys writing and speaking.  You can find her various blogging projects at www.victoriaduerstock.com and see updated information on book projects she is tackling next.