I wish there was a voice option on this blog. I love hearing my children talking, especially when it is something so special....
At the beginning of the year, I wrote down more goals. I think resolutions are made to break, so I have goals with set guidelines. One of my goals this year was to make my prayer life more meaningful and impactful. As I was deciding how I would do this, I prayed about it. Smart huh?
So, that next Sunday at Church, Preacher Upchurch preached about Jabez and the Prayer of Jabez. I have heard this story a few times and had actually tried remembering to pray it, but never would more than a few days. Since one of my goals was to have a better prayer life, I thought what a great way to start.
Another goal of mine was to help my children have a better prayer life. Cole has always been a faithful prayer warrior. His prayers are always powerful and pleasing to hear. Sydney still says the Now I lay me prayer and tries to skip a few lines to get to the amen. Then she sings Praise and Worship songs with her version of how it should go. My favorite is, "Go tell it on the Mountain, over the hills and every Wheeerrreee, Go tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is 4! Preston, loves to pray because I will say it first, and then he will say it after me. Sometimes though, he tries to "surprise" me by skipping ahead and gives me big eyes to say, hey! I bet you are proud of me... Then he smiles real big.
So, the other night I was trying to decide, How do I teach my children to Pray BIG when sometimes I fail at praying BIG??? Then it came to me! Teach them the prayer of Jabez. You can never be to young to ask God to Bless you, Bless you Indeed!
For those who don't know what the Prayer of Jabez is, here is a little synopsis. (I got this from http://www.allaboutprayer.org/prayer-of-jabez.htm)
The Prayer of Jabez comes from the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we read: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." The prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
Prayer of Jabez: Why is it important?The Prayer of Jabez reveals that Jabez understands what many people do not -- there is only one God and He should be the center of our work God wants to bless every life. But, we must first make the choice to invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. Jabez wants to succeed and increase his sphere of influence for God. The specific sphere of influence is not important. What is important is that when we want to reach for goals and accomplishments that we have God on our side. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
I decided to start off and make it simple for the kids to understand. The say, Dear Lord, enlarge my territory and bless me, bless me indeed..... Cole, in such a mature way, says it and means it with all of his heart. Sydney has a hard time pronouncing territory, and as soon as she says it, she ask me what her territory is.... She is exactly like me. She has to know the reason behind everything before she agrees to do it. And my sweet Preston. I love to hear him say it. He tries his best. He says LOWD, bess me bess me deed. Pan my ter... ory. Amen. Love you Jesus, Inks. :) What a blessing it is. I just keep thinking how important it is to teach them more than, Now I lay me. I think it shouldn't matter their age. If you can teach them to words, the meaning will come...
Chad and I feel such a responsibility to raise our children to be God Fearing...... in Proverbs it says, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life." If we don't plant the seed, how will it grow? Our Children will always see their parents be faithful.... If we skip a beat, they may too.... So, Lord.. I ask you to Bless my children... Bless them indeed... and please Lord Expand their territory and give them the desire to have a heart for you... Amen.
