Lay it Down (in Prayer)

I have witnessed the awesome power of prayer on many occasions since I became a believer.  Without diving into long emotional stories of healing, redemption, forgiveness and grace, I can summarize some of my experiences with prayer for you.

My third pregnancy was placenta previa (early delivery, many complications, etc.)  My prayer warrior friends gathered, put their hands on my belly and prayed fervently for healing.  The next doctor appointment showed a moved cervix.  "That never happens," was the response of my physician.

My second daughter was diagnosed with Verbal Apraxia at age 2.  We got our diagnosis along with a warning not to expect her to be understandable to peers until middle school age.  Again, we called on The Great Physician.  He heard our pleas for her to be understandable to peers by Kindergarten and answered our prayers with a "yes."  I can't get that child to shut up.

I'm sure we all have stories of how The Prince of Peace granted us hope in the midst of tragedy.  Or when The Great Physician healed in record time.  Or when I AM knew better than we did and said "no" to our request for the hottest guy in school to ask us out.  As a mother, I spend countless hours praying for my children.  By name, by body part, by character trait, by age and stage of life.  I can't wait to see how God will answer (or not) these requests I've laid at His throne.

I have found a couple of convenient charts to be helpful in praying for my children and teaching them about character qualities and the power of prayer.  The Operational Definitions of Character Qualities is from the Duggar Family website.
Character Qualities

This is a great prayer calendar.  I post mine on the fridge and pray a different value each morning for my kids.   And let them know what I am praying for them.
Praying for Children

Early in my marriage, I purchased the book, The Power of a Praying Wife.  I highly recommend it and I think I need to read it again soon.  Now there is The Power of a Praying Parent, too.  What a great legacy to pass down - for your children to know that you interceded for them daily, lifted them up to The Father, and fervently prayed for their life.  Having not come from a Christian home, I long for my children to know the power of prayer in their lives; to feel His presence in their triumphs and in their dark times.