Hebrews Chapter 5

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7, NIV

Prayer Over Our Children

Draw my child to You in reverent submission, oh Lord, and hear her cries. Call her to do Your good work with a heart of obedience. May You deepen Your Word in her to maturity so that she no longer needs milk but solid food. Oh God, use Your truth constantly in her life so that she may know righteousness and distinguish good from evil. Train her up in the teaching of Your Word, dear Lord, making her an apt student who is quick to learn. ...

Have you ever felt like you could not function or make it through the day? That was me today. I woke up with body dragging and brain unresilient and slow. It felt like a mental and physical wall hovered before me that I could not penetrate despite my best efforts. How would I make it through the day with Sweet pea? I wondered, eyeing the energetic little girl at the breakfast table. She bounced and chattered, excited to spend a day at home with Mommy.

The many hours of the day stretched before me as I contemplated how to fill our time together. No new activities, games, toys, or crafts awaited us. Everything felt stale and old with nothing new or fresh to inspire our play. All the DVDs were exhausted and the idea of playing in the house tasted so unappealing. Adding to the mix, of course, was my complete lack of inspiration, energy, and motivation to be present and play with my daughter. It was just one of those mornings.
     
Oh Lord, groaned my spirit, You are going to have to help me out today, I just don’t have it in me. And as my sweet little girl looked around the living room, reaching to play the same old, same old thing, a burst of inspiration flooded my brain with hope.
     
“Let’s go to the playground this morning!” I enthused, “Sweet pea, go get changed right now and let’s go!” The little playground in our development recently stood devoid of visitors due to the scorching heat and sweltering humidity. But, last night, a rain storm blew through our area, soaking the ground and bringing with it, slightly cooler temperatures. Throwing the front door open, I poked my head out the door and grinned at the pleasant morning temperature greeting my face. 
     
“Let’s go before it gets hot!!” I cried, tearing into my own bedroom to dress for the day. We quickly wiggled into our shorts and shirts, grabbed water bottles and a stuffed animal friend for Sweet one, and tumbled breathlessly out the door with cane and daughter in hand. 
     
Fellow parents and friends, just when you need it the most, God steps in with the most gracious of gifts and pours out in abundance His undeserved blessing. Where a day of drudgery had loomed before Sweet one and me, a morning of sunshine and laughter now permeated our beings. Swinging high with my daughter laughing on my lap and the two of us laying on our back to soak up the welcome brightness in our veins, Sweet pea and I gloried in the beauty of the morning. Where the air had been thick and heavy, a refreshing, cool morning breeze now filled our lungs and rustled through our spirits. 
     
Thank you, Lord, I praised, with Sweet pea shrieking in uncontrollable laughter. Her eyes shone bright and sparkled with fun while a smile split her face. My own heart soared heavenwards and lifted to join in the laughter as our legs swung us high in the sky. Thank You God, joy floated light and sweet, for You know what we need before we even ask for it. 
     
Just as Sweet pea and I found ourselves unexpectedly abounding in joy and laughter on a day that had promised flat, stale interaction, God’s plans for us are so much more then what we could ever hope for or imagine. He waits with patient breath for our laying down of burdens and self so that He can pour out over us the richness of His love and the fullness of His blessings. What He has for us is so much more then what we could ever hope for or expect, the light of our aspirations pale in comparison to what He has in store for us. For His love runs deep and His rivers run wide. Let yourselves be open to His abundant love and lay down before Him your burdens and heavy loads – no matter how minuscule or seemingly insurmountable they appear. We are promised that God hears our cries, that He bends His ears and listens and that His favor will surround us like a shield. 
     
​Let me encourage you this day to surrender yourself to the God who hears our prayers and open yourself to receive the fullness of His love and mercy for He blesses those who find refuge in Him, grants rest for the weary, and restores beyond measure.

A Parent’s Prayer

Oh God, I give you my weariness and surrender my heavy load. Please breathe new hope and joy into me and bless me with fresh eyes so that I may walk where You want me to go. Lighten what is dark within and let the Light overtake what feels old and dry. Fill me with new life today and let me walk in the fullness of Your promises.