Prayers for Their Future

I was sitting on the back porch of a beach house facing the ocean as the sun slowly melted into the ocean. I scarcely noticed the other members of my youth group who were scattered around the porch, down the boardwalk, on the beach, on the couches in the living room, and on the floor in the kitchen as I clutched the blank, white notecard in my hand. Like most 15-year-old girls, I had spent of the weekend youth retreat trying to convince the youth group's "bad boy" that I was a perfect choice for a girlfriend. But looking at that notecard, I had a moment where I knew that what I wrote on that card would change my "dating" scene forevermore. We were given the task to write down all the characteristics we could think of that would describe our future spouse. We were told to be prayerful about it; to think about what really matters to us when it came to someone we would be bound to in matrimony as long as we live. It was as if God was whispering to me through that ocean breeze how very important that list would be. I began to write: "loves God", "knows what he wants to do in life", "likes children", "must be at least as smart as I am", "gets along with my sister", and so on and so on. I left out physical attributes, wisely, because I didn't want to put a restriction on who God had in store for me. I tucked that notecard inside my Bible next to my, then, life verses: Song of Songs 3:3-5, underlining verse 5: "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." 

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Fast forward 5 years. After countless boyfriends who "didn't fit the list" (honestly, if the relationship was getting serious, I would check the list. If the guy didn't fit, I parted ways), I met the one my heart loves. Not only did he fit all the characteristics on my now faded card, but he exhibited qualities in a future husband I had not thought of. I knew, without a doubt, that God had His hand in the midst of my journey to find my husband from that moment on the beach to even now. 

So it was no wonder that as soon as I found out I was pregnant with each of my children, I had a desire to pray for their future: for their desire to come to know Jesus, for their desire to humbly serve Him in a way that would be inspiring to others, and for their future spouses. I pray for my future daughters-in-law and my future son-in-law, and for their parents. I pray their relationships with my children will be one that encourages others. 

I cannot stress how important it is to pray for your children. Every few months or so, I follow this calendar of "Praying for Your Children". When praying for your children, remember to keep in mind their future. Pray for their spouses. Pray for their marriages. Pray for their future ministries. And you will be amazed at how God will hear your prayers and bless your family. 

My 3 crazy kids