Prayer For Motherhood

Content

Motherhood’s Demands and Inconstancy in Prayer – Part 1

Editor’s Note: Today we’re excited to introduce Jessica Fahy to you, a home-schooling mother of five children, who blogs at “At His Feet: musings on daily Catholic life” and who has just joined our team of authors. Please extend to her a warm welcome and make her feel at home.

Motherhood and Prayer

It’s the month of May – our Lady’s month – and Mother’s day is just around the corner. So let’s talk about motherhood and a mother’s prayer life. Prayer is absolutely necessary for our sanctification and perfection in God’s love. We know that. Yet it can be a temptation to let the demands of motherhood excuse us from a consistent, daily prayer life.

We may not be as disciplined as we’d to be with our spiritual life. We miss our times at prayer. We fail to rise early. Our minds dart about, wandering and distracted. When we do actually get to pray, we are interrupted by babies crying and the endless needs of our children. Or….we fall asleep.

Perhaps we can’t find any time to pray ourselves but the one thing we can count on is praying with our children throughout the day. Yet, maybe prayer with them looks something this…

“Hail Mary…. stop making faces at your sister!…Full of grace…No, stay in the room…The Lord is with thee…Stop using that Rosary to play with the cat!….”

It isn’t pretty. Hardly ever. But it is full of grace.

Motherhood is Demanding. It is perfectly understandable why we may not be able to pray as we wish we could all the time.

In the same breath, our “busy-ness” can also be a mask for the vice of acedia or a type of spiritual sloth in which the demands of motherhood become the excuse of why we can “hardly ever” pray. There is a difference. And in the face of an almost constant, nagging exhaustion, it’s easier, well, to just not pray.

Prayer is part discipline, and discipline is painful at first until one’s faculties and habits begin to fall in line. We must be careful to not use exterior activities as a reason for not having a daily habit of prayer:

Any pretext will serve, if we can only escape this discipline of our faculties [prayer]: business, family problems, health, good reputation, patriotism, the honor of one’s congregation, and the pretended glory of God, all vie with one another in preventing us from living within ourselves. This sort of frenzy for exterior life finally succeeds in gaining over us an attraction which we can no longer resist. – The Soul of the Apostolate, Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O.

Even good reasons can keep us from forming the habit of a deeper prayer life. The spiritual writers do give us counsel:

Grace is palpably felt and touched in prayer; hence it strengthens our faith and inflames our love. The peculiar trial of hard work is that it keeps us so much from prayer, and takes away the flower of our strength before we have time for prayer, and physical strength is very needful for praying.

In consequence of this attraction we acquire habits of prayer by having set times for it, whether mental or vocal. Not that a mere habit of praying will make anyone a man of prayer. But God will not send His fire, if we do not first lay the sacrifice in order.

– Growth in Holiness, Father Faber (my emphasis added).

For the morning time is the best time for all spiritual exercises.
– Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales

So as moms, there’s days here and there we may miss our time of solitude and quiet with the Lord. We might sleep in by accident or by need. Emergencies and interruptions happen that tend to be the duties of the moment. These things can sometimes lead our prayer life to become inconsistent. It happens. That’s OK!

Inconstancy in Prayer

But then there’s the inconstancy of an underlying spiritual sloth that masks itself as constant activity done for the good and noble reasons of our vocations.

We ought to be convinced that even though we may do much by exterior activity, it will bear very little fruit apart from an interior life.

Our good works within our vocation should actually flow out from our interior life and be an overflow of it; if we try to do it the other way around, we will just drain ourselves and be lacking in that joy and life which our Lord promises us in the midst of it:

I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly. – John 10:10

Editor’s Note: In Part 2, Jessica will discuss questions to consider in dealing with inconstancy in prayer and what can be done about them.

Art for this post on motherhood’s demands and inconstancy in prayer: Partial restoration of Madonna under the fir tree, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1510, PD-UD author’s life plus 100 years or less; detail of Tête d’Etude l’Oiseau [Study of the Bird’s Head], William Adolphe Bouguereau, 1867, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less; detail of Mulher do chale verde (Woman with green shawl), Cyprien Eugène Boulet, before 1927, PD-US term of life of author plus 80 years; all Wikimedia Commons.

Источник: //catholicexchange.com/motherhoods-demands-inconstancy-prayer-part-1

A Prayer Guide for Parents

Prayer For Motherhood

Jamie Rohrbaugh
2017Apr 18

Have you been concerned about your family lately? So often, we remember to pray for other people, but we forget to pray for ourselves and for those closest to us.

We simply forget the power of prayer and that God longs for us to be in prayer with Him! He especially desires for each of us to be in prayer about our family, the people closest to us on this side of heaven.

To help you pray for yourself and for your family, here is a short, bullet-point seven-day prayer guide that covers nearly every aspect of life.

Day 1: Honor

Scripture: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

Pray for your parents:

Ask God to bless them.
Pray that they would be treated with honor, dignity, and respect by everyone they encounter.
Pray that they also would honor all people.

Pray for yourself:

Pray that you would see your parents the same way God sees them and love them the way He loves them.
Pray that you would always show honor and respect to your parents.
Ask God to help you forgive all their failings from your heart.

Pray for your children:

Ask God to help your kids show godly honor to you (and any other parents) the way God’s Word prescribes.
Pray for your children to live long lives in the land their Father gives them.
Ask the Lord to give your children a keen sense of honor toward all their authority figures (pastors, teachers, etc.).

Day 2: Walk with God

Scripture: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.’” (Matthew 22:37)

Pray for your parents:

If they are not already saved, ask the Lord to save them and draw them to Himself.
Ask God to help your parents to be hungry and thirsty for Jesus.
Pray for your parents to be people of prayer and of God’s Word.

Pray for yourself:

Pray that you would strive to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Pray that Jesus would refill you with His Spirit and wisdom every day.
Ask God to make you a person of prayer and a student of His Word.
Ask God to show you how to disciple your children, so they also will love God with all their heart.

Pray for your children:

Pray for your children to be full of the Holy Spirit from the womb (or from now on).
Ask God to help your children hear the voice of the Lord behind them saying “This is the way; walk in it” and that they would never turn to the right or the left.
Pray that your children would have a magnificent obsession with the Son of God.

Day 3: Health and safety

Scripture: “Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:9-11)

Pray for your parents:

Ask God to send His angels to watch over them, protecting them and all their belongings.
Ask Him to keep them healthy in every way, including by protecting their eyesight, brain function, and memory.
Ask God to help your parents make wise decisions regarding exercise, nutrition, and health care.

Pray for yourself:

Ask the Lord to send angels to protect you and every building and vehicle you are in.
Ask Him to help you make wise decisions regarding your own exercise, nutrition, and health care.
Ask Him to give you wisdom to guide your children’s time, so they will be healthy and not overloaded or stressed out.
Ask Father to protect you and your family from all diseases, keeping you completely healthy.

Pray for your children:

Pray angels would guard your children with a flaming sword that turns every way, turning them back from any dangerous path.
Pray your children would fill every inner craving with Jesus so they would not be tempted to look for sinful satisfaction.
Pray they would know God’s love intimately, and that they would be immune to every lie the enemy tries to tell them about who and what they are.

Day 4: Finances

Scripture: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Pray for your parents:

Pray for yourself:

Ask God to provide richly for every need you and your family have.
Ask Him to help you steward His resources well.
Ask the Lord to give you the motivation to diligently take care of your finances.
Ask the Lord to show you how to teach your children a good work ethic and how to handle money.

Pray for your children:

Pray that your children would enjoy the process of financial stewardship; but that they would always love God, rather than money.
Ask God to give your children profitable business ideas even while they’re young, if He wants them to be entrepreneurs.
Ask God to give your children an aptitude for math and business.
Ask the Lord to show your children in practical ways that He will always provide for their needs.

Day 5: Relationships

Scripture: “…[T]hat they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21)

Pray for your parents:

Pray that all their relationships would be godly and harmonious.
Pray they would forgive all who have hurt them, reconciling relationships wherever possible.
Pray they would be kind and loving, speaking words of life to all people.
Ask the Lord to send your parents close friends with whom they can share their lives.

Pray for yourself:

Pray that you would forgive from your heart all those who have hurt you.
Pray that the Lord would show you how to heal any broken relationships.
Pray you would model humility, kindness, love, and encouragement for your children in all your relationships.
Pray for close, covenant friends with whom you can share your life.

Pray for your children:

Pray for God to lead each of your children to the spouse He has for them at the right time.
Pray that your children would remain sexually pure until marriage.
Pray for each of your children to love others and be friendly.
Pray that the Lord would bring your children the right friends and deliver them from the wrong friends.

Day 6: Use of time

Scripture: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Pray for your parents:

Pray that your parents would use their time wisely.
Pray that they would remain occupied, useful, and fully engaged in life throughout their latter years.
Pray that they would walk fully in their calling so they will have no regrets.

Pray for yourself:

Pray that the Lord would help you seek Him first every day, and that He would help you accomplish all that needs to be done after that.
Ask God to order your steps according to His Word.
Pray you would know clearly when to say “yes” versus “no” to commitments for both yourself and your children.

Pray for your children:

Ask the Lord to show your children the value of their spare moments.
Pray that they would develop godly pastimes that will benefit their lives in the long run.
Ask God to give your children a spirit of excellence.
Pray your children would be diligent in their schoolwork and other responsibilities.

Day 7: Legacy

Scripture: “… holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:16).

Pray for your parents:

Pray they would stand strong in the Lord all the days of their lives.
Pray that they would leave a godly inheritance to their children and grandchildren.
Pray they would fully perform God’s purpose for their lives, leaving no task undone for which they were created.

Pray for yourself:

Pray for your children:

Pray that your children would know exactly what God has called them to do from an early age.
Ask God to give your children influence for Him.
Pray that they would be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, the children to the fathers, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.
Ask Father to give your children His heart for the nations.

Beloved, these prayers are all Scripture. As you pray through each day’s list, expect to see God answer His Word. He is ready, willing, and eager to send help to you, your parents, and your children.

Jamie Rohrbaugh is an author, speaker, and Presence seeker whose heart is for the local church. Called to edify, encourage, and equip the Body of Christ, her passion is to see sons and daughters of all ages transformed by the love of Abba Father. Jamie blogs at FromHisPresence.

com® about prayer, revival, and the manifest presence of God. She is the author of four books and of numerous articles around the web. Jamie is a grateful member of the Redbud Writers Guild. She and her husband live in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and together they have one cat.

Follow her on Pinterest, , or .

Источник: //www.ibelieve.com/motherhood/a-prayer-guide-for-parents.html

Personal Prayer Testimony Video and How to Make a Prayer Notebook

Prayer For Motherhood

Most Christians know they should pray and yet would describe their personal prayer life as anything but exciting or intimate.

What is it that prevents us from experiencing this great gift through which we are granted entrance to the very throne room of heaven (Heb.

4:16)? Why is it that most Christians struggle in this area and experience guilt and condemnation when anyone mentions prayer?

I, too, struggled with guilt and inhibitions in my personal prayer life. I wanted to walk and talk with the God I encountered through salvation and read about in His Word. I began to pray Psalm 42:1 on a daily basis.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks so my soul pants for thee.” I asked God to make that a reality in my life. After about six months of praying this verse, I suddenly realized God was answering my prayer.

As my desire increased, I felt led to develop a plan to help me accomplish the great calling to commune with God and get in on His Kingdom agenda. I wanted to “stand in the gap” for my family, church, and city, as well as the nations. I knew this would take more than my mediocre attempts and my “Lord, bless us” prayers of the past.

I would to share my simple notebook method with you

It is obviously not the only method that works for prayer. There are many different methods people have used through the years.

My husband uses blank business cards to write out his prayer requests and prays through them. I have a friend who uses a new prayer journal each year. But this simple notebook has worked for me for almost twenty years.

I encourage you to find a plan that works for you and implement it.

Here is how my notebook is organized:

I use a simple three ring notebook, notebook paper, page protecters, and dividers. These are the sections I use with the dividers:

Praise – mostly scriptures I pray to the Lord ascribing to Him His glory.
Family – I use page protectors to insert pictures so I can look at their faces as I pray for them. I have a page or pages for each family member that contain requests, as well as the scriptures that I pray for them.
Church – I have a list of our staff members and specific scriptures I pray for them and their families.
Friends – We have many friends in ministry I pray for on a regular basis.
Intercession – When someone asks me to pray for them, I write their name down with the specific request. I date the requests and then write down the answer later. I have lists for physical healing, couples who desire children, singles who desire marriage, my discipleship group and their families…etc.
Government – I pray for local, state, and national government.
Missions and the World – I pray for missionaries and mission trips that I am taking or that church members are participating in. I also pray for mission organizations Compassion International and the child we sponsor. In this section, I to include a world atlas.

As your notebook grows, you won’t be able to pray for every section each day. I pray over my family each day, and then I vary the days for the other sections. You may want to choose specific days of the week per section.

One of my greatest faith-boosting activities is to look back in my notebook and review all of the answers to prayer I have experienced.

In my notebook, I also record the times the Lord reveals Himself in a new way as I experience His presence and the truths that he unveils through His Word.

Not every day will be a mountaintop experience, but you will have enough of them that they will keep you coming back for more!

Don’t allow complacency or the tyranny of the urgent to keep you from the greatest investment you could ever make in your children’s lives – prayer!

Prayer changes you, those you pray for, and the circumstances you bring before the throne. Don’t put it off another day – pray!

Now that I’ve shared my prayer notebook method with you, I’d to invite you to watch the video below as I share a personal prayer testimony for one of my own children who struggled with rebellion during his teenage years. Also, we have made available to you several printables below that you can include in your own prayer notebook!