1 John Chapter 5

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” I John 5:14-15 (NASB)

Prayer Over Our Children

Let my daughter be born of You, oh God, and bring her to a deep love of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May her love for You shine through her obedience to Your ways and the carrying out of Your commandments. Grant her victory in overcoming the world by her unwavering belief in Jesus Christ as Your Son, through whom You offer eternal life. ...

Oh God, write Your testimony upon her heart so that she may approach Your throne with confidence. Hear her, oh God, and grant her every request that is according to Your Will. Oh Lord, I pray that You will keep her from idols and bless her with understanding so that she may know You as the One, True God and eternal life.

As for many of you, coronavirus has been the topic of conversation in our family. My husband and I have been glued to social media that we might keep abreast of the latest updates. From unpredicted closings to constantly changing protocols to state declared emergencies, it has been an exhausting ride. For me, it feels like I am perched on the edge of my seat, biting my nails or holding my breath as I wait for the other shoe to drop. Yet, despite these uncertain times, this very evening I am reminded that joy and thanksgiving are still ours for the taking.
     
It was my husband’s turn to tuck Sweet Pea into bed. I happily clickety-clacked on the keyboard as I waited for his escape from our little girl’s room. Sweet Pea loves it when her father puts her down for the night. She relishes the alone time with him. It is not unusual for her to chat away in the darkness in an effort to postpone her bedtime and spend more awake time with Daddy. Often, my husband remains until Sweet Pea’s eyes droop close and her chest rises and falls with sleep. However, tonight was different.
     
The creaking of Sweet Pea’s door surprised me. Little time had elapsed between my good-night kisses and that of my husband’s departure. 
     
“Good-night, everyone!” sing-sang the happy tones of my little girl through the open doorway.

As her door closed, my husband and I chorused our evening salutations back to her -- his from the foot of her door and mine from the length of the living room. I looked curiously at my husband as he padded over to our couch. 
     
“You did not stay long,” I teased, quirking an eyebrow. “How did you manage?” I put away the keyboard and turned my attention to my husband. He plunked himself down onto the cushions with a sigh. The television softly murmured in the background, but it disappeared with one click of a button. We looked at each other. We were ready for our own nighttime routine to begin.
     
Once Sweet Pea goes to bed, my husband and I take time to debrief and talk about the day’s events. We discuss high and low points, bring awareness to tasks which need accomplished, or flush out concerns and problems. After all this, we settle down for prayer. 
     
As one can imagine, tonight’s topic of discussion revolved around the coronavirus. So many new and changing recommendations, updates, policies and procedures swirled around us. A spirit of sober uncertainty hung thick in the air as we talked about unknown commodities. Even as our discussion increased in volume due to heightened anxieties, not a peep stirred from Sweet Pea’s room. Sleep blissfully claimed her and left her in a happy dreamworld. 
     
The sound of our voices permeated the stillness as we settled down to pray. And, boy! Did we pray. We pleaded for protection of our household, family, and friends. We prayed for our leaders. We asked that the scientific and medical community discover a cure. We even prayed for revival to sweet our land and for our country to turn back to God once more. 
     
Only the gentle swoosh of the furnace turning on and off mingled with our pleas. The occasional faint sounds of cars passing our home in our community added to the mix. Sprinkled throughout it all were our fervent “amens” and murmurs of agreement. Finally, my husband breathed the closing “Amen.”
     
Bing! Yet another coronavirus update flashed across our phone. My husband quickly skimmed the information, reading it aloud as he went.
     
“This is just wild,” I said, shaking my head. “What does this mean?”

Although fresh from time with God, incredulity and anxiety began nibbling once more at the front gate. We looked at each other, unsure how to respond and not wanting to articulate the implied ramifications. Then, out of the charged silence, a sweet voice rose up and gave answer:
     
“Oh, taste and see, that the Lord is good. Oh, taste and see, that the Lord is good. He is good to me.”

Startled, we stared at Sweet Pea’s closed door. She had been soundly sleeping for over half an hour. To hear her sing was unexpected to say the least. Whether awakened from a dream or singing in her sleep, Sweet Pea’s serenade flowed like balm and honey over our souls. Regardless of her sleep status, the words which she sang and the timing in which she sang them were perfectly orchestrated by God.
     
”You turn my mourning into dancing, put off my rags and clothe me with gladness,” she sang, her voice rose with joy. It sparkled and cut through the gray. It ministered to our hearts. “And I will rise and I will praise You. I’ll sing and not be silent!”

I looked at my husband. He looked at me. Smiles spread across our faces where worry lines had once creased. Anxiety and fear lifted off my shoulders and once more I could breathe. For among all the precautions and preparations, the answer to what our response should be to this crisis, flowed from the mouth of babes.
     
“Oh Lord, my God, I will give thanks to You forever! Oh Lord, my God, I will give thanks to You!” Over and over again she praised. Whether sleep singing or conscious, joy radiated through her happy tones and praise flowed from her lips. Then, just as suddenly as her voice had materialized, Sweet Pea lapsed into silence once more.
     
We sat quiet for several beats, not wanting to break the reverent stillness. A sweet presence filled the air and lingered. The joy which filled Sweet Pea, indelibly marked our souls. It was as delicate as butterfly kisses, as beautiful as the dawn, and as wide as the east is from the west. A joy to have been in the presence of God. Joy for the reminder that our mourning can be turned to dancing and our rags to gladness. Joy that we can rise and praise the Lord. Joy to be touched by the innocent unfettered praises of a little child. Joy.
     
Friends, no matter how quickly the virus spreads and no matter the uncertainties we face, we can still choose to give thanks to God. For although we possess no control over this virus or the unfolding events in our country, we can still control how we respond to the crisis. Like Anna, who worshiped in the temple from morning to night through prayer and fasting (Luke 2:37), so too, can we adopt this same posture of continuous worship. Whether we worship in our songs of praise, worship through the reading of God’s Word, or worship through prayer and fasting, our response should be one of praise and thanksgiving. Why? Because when we worship, it fixes our eyes upon Jesus and not on the unfolding crisis around us. It takes our focus off of ourselves and our worries and places it squarely back upon the Great I Am, Creator, Almighty, Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Everlasting God. And when we are ushered into the presence of God through praise and worship, we are freed from the choking weights and burdens of the world which attempt to hold us down. 
     
Moreover, when we look through the lens of praise and worship, thanksgiving and joy are a natural wellspring to follow. How? Because thanksgiving and praise reclaim the space that fear and anxiety once occupied. With each word of praise and thanksgiving uttered, it falls like a drop into the empty bucket until our cup becomes full and overflowing. Where worry or feeling overwhelmed may have pressed down heavy and hard, peace and joy can now abide where praise and thanksgiving abound. 
     
Please do not misunderstand me. Praise, worship, and thanksgiving should not be the only measure we take. With all things, we need to exercise wisdom and discernment that we can stay healthy and safe. We need to show love to our neighbors and community through caring words and acts of service. And we need to pray.
     
We need to pray for our nation’s and the world’s health crisis. We need to plead for the protection of our families, friends, and neighbors. We need to cry out for those who are sick with the virus and for our medical community to find a cure. We need to pray for our leaders and for wisdom to guide their every step. We need to pray on our knees in one voice as one nation under God. 
     
However, equally as important as bringing our petitions and supplications to the Lord, are our offerings of praise and thanksgiving. Why? Because the Bible tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests before God (Philippians 4:6).” Therefore, so anxiety and worry do not possess a foothold, we need to pray with a heart of thanksgiving. Fellow parents and dear friends, we need to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalms 110:4).
     
So, let us praise Him because He is good. Praise Him because He is in control and knows all things. Praise Him because He is faithful no matter our circumstances. Praise Him because He slumbers not nor sleeps. Praise Him!
     
Today, I issue you a challenge. I challenge you to find one thing each day for which you are thankful. For me, I am thankful for the warm sunshine. I am thankful for the food on my plate and the shelter above my head. I am thankful that my child is safe, alive, and still breathing. I am thankful that God is with me.
     
​Dear parents, friends, and family, along with the offering up of our prayers and petitions, please join me in the offering up of our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to God. For such a time as this, we should rise and not be silent. In this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. We should not be cowering on the floor. We are to shout God’s praises, God’s goodness, and God’s message to the rooftops! We are not to be silent. Instead, we should combat worry, fear, and anxiety with the weapon of worship and praise. Let us be bold in our praise and strong in our worship. Let us not be silent. Let us praise and worship the Lord.

A Parent's Prayer

Oh Lord, my God, help me to give thanks to You. Free me from the weights of fear, worry, and anxiety so that I might praise Your Name. Oh God, help me maintain a posture of continuous worship that I may draw close to You. Keep me and my family safe beneath the shelter of Your wings. Above all else, fill me with Your love that I may show and give love to others. Amen.

*The lyrics are from the song “O Taste and See” by Bethel Music: