The Power

of prayer.

I recently found 
two new websites
I fell in love with.
One of them is  
minted.
At the end of last year
our small group
had many discussions
on 
the importance
and power
of a strong prayer life.
When praying
over something in your life,
it is essential
to know
the answer
will not suddenly become clear.
And,
more critically knowing
the answer
will not 
necessarily be the one
you are wanting.
Therefore,
we often find ourselves
praying over
the same issues
until He 
answers.
Writing in a journal is a great way
to keep track
of our prayers, 
to see progress,
to watch
how He has moved
our family and faith
over the year.
So, Jake and I began to journal together
and I found 
these special journals
for the boys

from this site.

It is amazing

to see 

how prayer

impacts your life.

Since doing this together

a stronger bond has formed

in our family 

and we have witnessed positive results.

The most recent,

major answer

came with 

Trent and sleeping.

He has NEVER

been a good sleeper.

He wakes often,

has nightmares

and startles easily.

But, a few weeks ago

night terrors

took hold

on top of already poor sleep.

He was waking

around 5 times

during the night.

And he wasn't just waking,

he was screaming

kicking yelling,

hitting.

But, he was not awake

so he could not be comforted.

This was exhausting

for our entire family.

I was asking

everyone with children

for advice,

reading articles

on the Internet,

even called our pediatrician.

Nothing was working.

Then, one night 

while getting ready for bed

I saw his 

smiling face looking up at me

on my nightstand. 

"DUH!"

I grabbed 

his journal

and

my Bible,

found Scripture Verses

on Sleep

and prayed over him.

Guess what....

he did not stir that night.

Or the next

or the next.

I have knelt over him every night

praying for restful slumber

for his mind to clear

for watchful eyes

so he can feel safe.

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

Last week

a friend wrote

a beautiful devotional

about 

the power of being

a praying mom.

I thought it was a great

coincidence

so thought I would also share

her writings with you.

Moms of Prayer "Can you imagine an army of desperate moms praying for the lives of their children that their children would live out the destiny that God had for them?" Fern Nichols (Founder of “Moms in Prayer”) Being a mom is hard.  We have this innate need to protect our children.  When they hurt we hurt.  When they cry we cry.  We even hurt before they hurt, by worrying about them getting hurt.  This need to protect, as well as the immense emotional burden for our children, is actually God given.  He uses this unrest to push us to rally behind our kids.  We don’t do this by worrying but rather by funneling this energy into praying.   Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”   As parents, we have the power to speak life or death to our children and over our children. When we choose to speak the Word of God over our children, we are choosing to speak life over them. This burden does not go away as our children grow up but rather grows to include grandchildren and great grandchildren.  This burden can also be taken on in the form of foster moms, stepmoms, and mother in-laws.  And some wonderful committed women take this burden on for children who simply need someone to pray for them as a mother would.  Has this burden ever seemed too big to bear alone?  We weren’t meant to do this by ourselves.  "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Have you ever prayed with another person and felt a strong release of fear, anxiety, worry, or anger?  As you prayed together you felt lifted up, strengthened, and comforted.  You may have noticed that your problems seemed smaller as you were reminded of how big your God is.  Coming together in prayer is such an important aspect of our faith.  "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 (NIV) This is especially true for mothers.  Some of you may already be doing this with other moms.  Perhaps with sisters, friends, your small group, or even with your own mothers.  But I know that there are many women who have a heart burden for their children and who need an opportunity to come together with other moms to pray for their children.  For 8 months I have been a part of a “Moms in Prayer” group at Celebration Community Church and it has been an amazing experience for not only my children but me as well.  Moms in Prayer is an international organization that brings moms together in small groups to pray for their children and schools.  I was first introduced to “Mom’s in Prayer” by a friend 3 years ago and immediately felt drawn to join a group and start praying for my children.  But I, like many moms, let my busy life as well as my fear of something new, take over and I made excuses.  After more than a year I attended a regional meeting and was moved again as I experienced for myself what it was like to have other moms pray for my children.  But this time the push was not to join an existing group but rather to start one right here at Celebration.  Although my prayer life is constant throughout the day, it is usually short and sweet as my attention span can’t seem to stay focused very long.  This group gives me an hour a week of intense and focused prayer with other moms.  Moms in Prayer is structured but does not feel restrictive.  It helps you focus on the attributes and promises of God, pray scripture over your children, and pray in one accord for the specific needs of each other’s children.  There are so many benefits to this group I can’t name them all, but I can tell you it has been a great way to share my faith with my teenage son as I ask him what he wants me to pray about for him as well as the ability to share afterward how the other moms prayed for him.  I also was able to see months of praying in one accord for my daughter’s fear of bedtime answered.  I came home after group one night to find my husband had figured out a way to solve the problem.  Of course I let him in on the secret that God figured it out for him.  I also feel more peace about the school’s safety by bringing it to God in prayer. The gift of praying for another mom’s children is amazing, and until you experience it, you cannot imagine how it also feels to have other moms fervently pray for your children.  I invite any who feel God pulling on their heart right now to contact me and learn more.  You don’t have to be “good at praying” in front of others; it is so much easier than you think.  Don’t let fear stand in your way. "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19 (NIV)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j73DR50DuXE&list=UUmiZ_ZdUxwtS_bM2wZ1zkWQ&index=5 Erin Flax

love,

the rockinryans