Parenting Through Adversity

I'm doing a whole lot of worrying for my children right now. I'm worrying about a child who is being targeted by a peer, a child who is not motivated to fulfill his God-given purpose and potential, a child who doesn't see the harm in little white lies, a child who gets angry too easily, and a child who is having horrible dreams and sleepless mights.

I won't keep going because I know you have enough worries of your own, but goodness, do I worry. I worry mostly because it hurts to see our kids struggle, but also because I struggle to know what to do.

It's in times like these when I am grateful for the reminder we find in James 1:5-6 (The Message).

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.

OK my fellow mom. How often do you feel like you don't know what you're doing as a parent? James tells us to pray and bring all of our uncertainty and inadequacy to our all-knowing, all-loving heavenly Father who loves to help.

Our prayers for our children (and with out children!) are unimaginably significant. As we pray for our kids, we can trust that God - who is abundantly generous - has great plans (not just temporal, but eternal) for our kids. We can rest in his sovereignty and surrender to his will, just as we see Jesus surrendering to his Father's will during his prayer at Gethsemane.

Jesus models prayer for us. In Mark 14, we find that Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (v. 34) Jesus knew that the fulfillment of his mission was imminent. He would soon take on the sin of the world and bear the wrath and shame for the entire human race. Jesus was "deeply distressed and trouble" when he prayer, Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. (v. 36)

When our hearts are aching and our fears are raging, we can pray for our children like Jesus prayed to his Father: "I know you can. I pray you would. Your will be done." This simple but profound prayer guides us in acknowledging God's power, submitting to his will, and trusting in his goodness.