“I have posted watchmen on your walls…”
Isaiah 62:6
God has been nudging my heart and calling me to more devoted times of daily prayer. Prayer for my husband and my children and for myself. Prayer for our extended families and our friends. Prayer for our church family and our neighbors. Prayer for missionaries and for our leaders. Prayer for the Harvest Crusade coming to Philadelphia next week. Prayer for the women in our P31 Gather & Grow fellowship. Prayer for ministries that God has used in our lives to grow us in Him. Prayer for ministries He has put on our hearts.
I have had a great book for many years titled “Watchmen on the Walls” by Anne Arkins & Gary Harrell, which has since been retitled “While They Were Sleeping”. This book is a prayer guide for Christian parents that assist us in using the truths of God’s Word while we pray for Him to build godly character in their hearts and for them to “become men and women full of the Word and mighty in His Spirit”.
One thing I have said continually since becoming a parent in 2000, “Children keep us on our knees in prayer”! Amen! Our deep love for our children has brought us to a love for, reverence for and daily dependency on God like never before. God is so wise. He keeps us looking to Him and His Word. Wanting to honor Him with our lives and prayerfully desiring to raise children who become adults devoted to and honoring God themselves keeps us anchored in Him.
Prayer. A blessed privilege and a holy responsibility.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Col. 4:2
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Runner Mom says
Hey, Sharon! Great reminder to revere and depend on God each day. Being devoted to continually pray is so important. I love the scripture that God laid upon your heart to share!
Love ya,
Susan
Unknown says
Sharon,
I love the last two verses you closed this post with.
What a beautiful description of being watchman over our house and children – trusting it all to God’s loving hands and plan!
Love and blessings,
Jill
Joyful says
Sharon, the Lord has just called me to a deeper prayer life. In addition to the time I was already spending with the Lord, I am now scheduling in another full hour of prayer a day. (Scheduling it so that the tyranny of the urgent doesn’t crowd this out.) I thought it would be difficult, but I can’t believe how quickly the hour goes by!!!! Not only that, but I seem to have more hours in my day and I’m getting as much, if not more done around the house.
I firmly believe that nothing happens apart from prayer. God’s Word says to “pray without ceasing”. Desiring prayer to be the very air I breathe.
At His feet,
Joy
Heather says
Hello sweet friend,
I prayed for my daughter’s spirit to be filled with His spirit and I believe that is happening. I saw it yesterday on so many levels – all I can say to you and Jim and Gabrielle and Joshua is thank you, thank you for your love, friendship and example. That being said, I am spedning more time in prayer myself. Who ever thought I would get up early for that…deep sigh…those gather and grow girls are challenging me!!
This is a beautiful post, paired with one of my favorite tunes. I love it. We are to be watchmen, a lofty responsibility but one I accept readily.
On a sad note, my cousin Jeremy went home to be with the Lord this morning – please pray for our family. Prayers especially for his mom and dad, brother and for his wife and two little boys. My heart is very heavy.
Can’t wait til I am in the bookstore buying your devotionals, girlie…the day is going to come, you know.
I love you!
Heather