Hebrews Chapter 12

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” ~Hebrews 12:1 NASB

Prayer Over Our Children

Heavenly Father help my daughter throw off every hindrance and all sin. Let her run with endurance the race You have laid before her. Fix her eyes upon You so that she will not grow weary or faint of heart. 
Encourage my daughter through your loving accountability, oh God, allowing her to endure hardship like discipline which comes from a loving parent. Let her not grow discouraged under Your rebuke but ...

use it for her good, that she may be made holy and know Your great love for her. Train her up through the discipline and admonition of Your Word so that she may reap righteousness and peace all the rest of her days. Make level her path, oh God, so that she may walk with strength and assurance in You.

As I said goodbye, my heart felt burdened and heavy. The words that were meant to build up and encourage had been perceived through a different lens that has been tainted by past wounds still oozing in painful remembrances. 
     
“Goodbye, goodbye!” I called brightly through the open doorway. But, as soon as the door shut, I deflated like a balloon. How can you combat the misperceptions and misunderstandings of the past and present? How can you change the broken glass of the lens from which you are seen? Yet, even in my silent utterings, the answer came quickly and quietly. You can’t, whispered that still, soft voice, only I can.  
     
I sat down on the sun-soaked love seat and settled myself down in the cushions with head bowed. Yes, Lord, I inwardly cried, but when? How long, Lord, how long must I suffer? How long will You allow this cloud to veil the eyes? How long before the wrong is made right? My heart cried out like the slain saints beneath the mercy seat, How long, Lord, how long? Yet, only the hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the clock spoke this time in the silence. 
     
It pains me to witness how the wounds of our past can still slice and cut if we still allow them power over us, refusing to let the Light of God free the chains which bind but instead choosing the armor of self-control and self-righteousness. For we are all shattered clay jars pieced and mended back together through the divine love of the Father. But sometimes the patches still gape open with wounded holes. And if we are not careful, we let the holes define who we are, and what we see, instead of allowing the beautiful patchwork of God to refine us and cover our blemishes. If we are not careful, we can focus on the holes, the patches, the cracks, and scratches rather then seeing the whole picture, the mends, and the putting back together piece by piece, section by section, and part by part.
     
Perhaps it is in the very act of mending that God’s power illuminates most brightly. For it shines through the cracks and pokes through the shattered edges, placing the focus not on the individual cracked pieces but showcasing instead, the handiwork of God in our lives and the transforming power of His refining Light. For without each flaw, each shattered edge, how could the renewing Light of God shine through?  Often perfection and mastery point to ourselves rather than to God, Himself, unless, we intentionally and purposefully point our finger heavenward in acknowledgement and praise. But it is when we are at our most broken and shattered points, that this purposeful lifting up of gratitude and thanksgiving then becomes the most fragrant of offerings to our Lord and King.
     
So, dear friends and fellow parents, when your spirit is crushed and your wounds gape open wide, cry out to Jesus for He hears you. Lift your hands up to the very One who is reaching out to hold you – the very One who came down to us in human flesh, Jesus Christ – Himself. He will make Your burdens light and give you feet to stand. For when you are weak, He is strong. He will piece the shattered pieces back together and heal the broken-hearted. 
     
Yet, in this process of this piecing back together, this rebuilding and mending, know that He is creating something beautiful beyond words and precious beyond gold. He is making us into masterpieces – wounds, warts, imperfections, and all. Be encouraged, for He will turn beauty from our ashes and our mourning into dancing. He transforms our spirit of despair into the oil of joy. And, dear friends, when we are weary, He will give you the strength to keep going, to keep breathing, and to run with endurance. He will give us the strength to persevere with joy so that we may finish the race that He has set before us.

​Oh God, may Your favor never leave me. Make me blameless and pure for the work of Your kingdom. Take not Your song from my heart but fill me with unending praises so that I will forever bless Your Name. 

A Parent's Prayer

Oh God, may Your favor never leave me. Make me blameless and pure for the work of Your kingdom. Take not Your song from my heart but fill me with unending praises so that I will forever bless Your Name.