A Family Of Prayer

“Lord Jesus, please work it out so we can ride horses tomorrow,” I softly prayed with my daughters.

All year long we looked forward to this mother-daughter weekend retreat hosted by a horseback riding camp. Although I registered for the event months in advance, it wasn’t soon enough. The camp guaranteed the first eighty-five attendees a spot on Saturday’s trail ride, but since I missed the cut, we were placed on a waiting list. Unless two spots opened up, my daughters were going to miss their favorite part of the retreat.

I hugged my two teary-eyed little girls and said, “We have to trust God.”

The Friday night activities distracted us for a short while, but in the back of my mind I constantly prayed, “Father, you know our need. Please make a way.”

Finally, after the opening program and a hearty game of Bingo, the camp director called my name.

“Mrs. Cooper, we have room for your family for tomorrow’s trail ride. Would you like to go?”

Excitedly, I wrote our names on the available time slots. I hurried back to our table bursting with joy. Their faces immediately lit up when I shared the good news, “We get to ride!”

Later that night as I tucked them into their sleeping bags, we thanked God for His provision. Their fledgling faith was reinforced as they witnessed the Lord personally at work in our family.

That’s the amazing thing about talking with God—the more your kids pray the stronger their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fostering spiritual maturity goes beyond dinner and bedtime prayers. For their faith to grow, kids need to see God intimately
involved in every aspect of their lives.

How can Christian parents develop an environment of prayer? Colossians 4:2 provides clear direction, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” What does that mean for your family? Here are a few suggestions:

#1 Be Devoted: Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means maintaining a constant conversation between you and the Lord. Are you stressed out? Ask Him for strength. Is your child struggling with homework? Ask God to provide understanding. Make talking with God a priority in your home.

#2 Open Your Eyes: Keep your eyes peeled for God’s answers (Psalm 38:15). As your family trusts in the Lord, wait patiently for Him to act. Help your kids see God’s solution to their problems. The more they recognize Christ at work, the stronger their relationship with the Savior.

#3 Be Thankful: Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about developing a loving relationship with our Creator. Thank Him for His tender care.

When I think back to God’s provision of a treasured horseback ride, I know it wasn’t the ride itself that was important. Even if He answered “No”, my daughters would have discovered a valuable lesson in trusting Him. Bit by bit they are learning what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

How about you? Will you be a family of prayer?

—Carrie Cooper, M.S.

Writer and speaker, Carrie Cooper, M.S., is founder of Comfort & Compassion Ministry.  Visit her blog at www.comfortedbyGod.blogspot.com or contact her at Carrie@comfortandcompassion.com.