For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord. So they worshiped the Lord there (1 Samuel 1:27-28).
A faithful Christian mother will seek to carry her children in at least three places:
1. In her womb
2. In her heart
3. In her prayers - faithfully
In 1 Samuel chapter one, we find a touching, moving, and insightful story of a young wife that wanted to be a mother. She simply had a desire, a dream to be the mother of a little boy. Initially, she cried and fretted over being childless. Then she did something very wise. She took time to go sincerely to God in prayer, and she prayed for the desire of her heart. She let God know that if He would give her a son, she would dedicate his life back to Him. God heard her prayer, and He gave her that which she requested. He gave her a son. Hannah then kept her word. She dedicated her son back to God.
This short yet powerful story of a young wife and mother named Hannah has many life lessons in it. One of the very important lessons is that there is great power in the prayers of a Christian mother for and over her children. It is wise and normal for a Christian mother to pray for her child before conception, while the child is in the womb, when the child is born, when she or he is a toddler, when the child is in elementary school, middle school, high school, and when she or he is in college. Don’t make the big mistake of thinking that your job is over when they graduate from high school or college though. You are just getting started!
When is a mother’s job of praying for her child over? When one of you goes to heaven. So be mindful that the job of praying for your children is a lifelong responsibility. And, of course, no one can pray for your children like you can!
A Mother’s Blanket of Prayer
When you were young, and it was cold outside
With a blanket
I covered you with care
Now that you are older
And the world is much colder
I now cover you with a blanket of prayer.
Author Unknown
(Editor's note: This appeared previously on The Stand, and we offer it again as its importance has not changed.)
