The Power of Prayer

Where would be we without the Lord! I have been writing to our son overseas who is learning a lot about trusting God in every facet of his life. How wonderful and exciting it is when we see our children growing in their relationship with Jesus and putting His Word into practice in their everyday lives.

How easy it is when our children are young to boldly proclaim, "They will not stray," "They will grow up to be strong Christians," and so on. We think that what we are teaching them, and the training we are giving them, will bring them to maturity in God and we will have no problems with our families when they grow beyond childhood. Yes, this is the ideal! But no, it doesn’t always happen like this -– would to God it did! I pray that none of you have to experience it, but for those who do, I would like to share with you some of the things I have learned about the power of prayer.

There are many factors that go into our children rebelling, whether it be in everyday things, or a lifestyle change. There are inherited attributes in their personalities we have to take account of, there are surrounding circumstances, and their own character (to mention a few). Eventually, whether they rebel or not, they all need moulding by the hand of a loving God.

We had eleven babies in twenty years, so we had a lot of little lives to train for God’s glory. It never occurred to us that any of them would drift into the ways of the world, and even turn their back on God. What heartbreak it brings. Never would I wish it on anyone; yet I can’t deny the work God has done in my heart over that time and the joy it brings to see our children returning to their first love.

Many times I have scolded myself for not praying enough for my children –- mainly because I didn’t spend much time on my knees. How many mothers of several small children find time to spend hours on their knees! Praise God if you do, but I certainly didn’t. Nevertheless, I do pray for them constantly -- often throughout the day and at night if I can’t sleep (seems to happen a bit as you grow older).

I have had some specific times when God has called me to prayer for one of the family in particular. I remember one night I was woken out of my sleep hearing my son call out, "Mum!" I awoke with a start and a burden in my innermost being to pray for him. I didn’t know what I was praying for, but two nights later he was involved in something that could have been extremely dangerous for him. I know it was the Lord who kept him that night.

Sometimes we struggle when we see God dealing with our children. It’s hard to see them going through hard times and difficult circumstances -– often resulting from their own mistakes. Yet we have to take our hands off and let God be God. It’s not easy to do and I have been guilty many times of interfering and getting in the way. Then I look back and remember all the hard times we ourselves have had, and still do have, and see how God has worked in my heart through it all.

How I praise God that, if we allow him, He will do just what he has promised. Many prayers have been, and are presently being, answered as far as our family is concerned. Those who are walking with the Lord, and those who are not, all need our constant prayers. At one time I moaned to my husband that I seemed to spend all my prayer time praying for the children. He said, "That’s fine. You might be the only person in the world who does!" Even though I know he prays and intercedes for them often, it really spoke to me. As their mother, who else cares for them in the same way I do, and who knows what they are going through in the way I do? I can see things they need, that my husband can’t. I’m sure it works the other way as well!

How faithful God is! I simply cannot imagine raising a family without Him. I was greatly encouraged by the following note ones of my children sent me: "Thanks so much for your prayers. I know we can always rely on you to be praying and I'm sure it's your prayers that have kept all us kids through difficult times."

The prayers of a mother are so important. Don’t ever underestimate the power of God. He will never let us down. No matter how long it takes, prayer works!

As for the teaching and training we have given them over the years? Never undermine the importance of this either. We now see the fruit of this in the lives of our family, rising up and giving them direction in the paths they should be taking and strengthening them in difficult decisions they have had to make. It is so exciting to see God working in their lives, and particularly in those who chose to walk a different path for a time.

Be encouraged. All the hard work in raising our little ones according to the Word, and the time we spend in prayer, is well worth every minute.

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© Margaret Hartnett

Photo by Luiz Ferreira.