I’m sharing the blog today with Ann Edwards, a good friend of mine and Preschool Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN.

Though I am not a mother, I have known some incredible mothers. God supplied some wonderful women who spoke truth into my life after my mother died. One of those women impacted my own prayer life. While I was in her home and playing with her granddaughter, I overheard her praying for her daughters. She was on her knees asking God to renew the relationship between them. Thinking back on the experience, I realized her daughters had not seen eye-to-eye on a matter, and she felt caught in the middle. She took her request to God and laid the prayer at His feet. Her faith in God was rooted in prayer. Today I can tell you her prayer was answered.

Pray for your child

I am sure you have been praying for your child from the day you knew you were pregnant and all through your pregnancy. Here are some ways you may pray for your child now and in the future. Insert his/her name in the blank space.

• “Grant, Lord, that ______ may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.” (Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:2)
• “May integrity and honesty be _____ virtue and his/her protection.” (Psalm 25:21)
• “May _______ always be merciful, just as his/her Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
• “Father, grant that _______ may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands.” (1 Peter 2:17)
• “Let love and faithfulness never leave _______, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of _____’s heart.” (Proverbs 3:3)
• “Lord, may ________ always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
• “Grant that _______ may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for him/her as a firm foundation for the coming age.” (1 Timothy6:18-19)
• “May ______ be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
• “Help _______ to live a life that is always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7)

Teach your child to pray

Teaching your child to pray is not hard; it is intentional. You might encourage her to write prayer requests in a notebook. A younger child may draw prayer requests or you might record prayers for her on her drawings. As she watches you pray or have a quiet time, she will see the value of prayer in your life. Invite your child frequently to join you in prayer, so the memories created today will have meaning and fruit tomorrow.