Final Week’s Schedule

January 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We’re wrapping up our 31 days of Praying Proverbs 31 with a very appropriate theme, praying our daughters will have “A Fear of the Lord.”

Week 5 Schedule

Sunday: (Week 9) Day 1 and Day 2 prayers

Monday: Day 3 and Day 4 prayers

Tuesday: Day 5, 6, and 7 prayers

(I’ll be praying in the morning, at noon, and in the evening on January 31.)

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey! For those of you who might be interested in joining a group, Well Watered Garden is hosting a discussion group on Facebook beginning February 12, a place for you to share with other ladies who will be praying through Proverbs 31.

Or, feel free to contact me about starting your own group.

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Tasting Words Twice

January 25, 2012 By 1 Comment

Have you ever heard something you’ve said echoed in the mouth of your child—and cringed at the acrid flavor? Somehow the words we felt so justified in spewing forth sound much differently coming from the mouths of our babes. You can’t take back the words you’ve spoken, but you certainly can taste them more than once.

Occasionally, I’ve seen snippets from the Super Nanny shows where a family is struggling with their children and calls in the help of an “expert.” And before I cast judgement on the family and their problems, a chill runs up my spine as I think, what would it be like to watch an entire day of my life and my interactions with my kids? Of course, some days would be awesome; but then, there are “those days.”

Yet, it is “those days” that will teach my daughter most, that will shape her reactions and responses. How do I react to irritations? How do I respond when I’m called upon to sacrifice? What do I say in the moment or when the moment passes?

I have young children who make lots of noise, but most of the words spoken in my home during the day are mine. I have to ask myself at the end of each day, did I fill my house with kindness and wisdom and life? Or do the walls of my home echo from anger and impatience? As my children grow older, more of the words they speak will still, in a sense, be my own; their words will be shaped and molded by what they have heard through the years.

May I guard my mouth with wisdom and filter my words with kindness, and may I acknowledge to my daughter my own sin when I have to taste bitter words twice.

Praying for my daughter to have “A Wholesome Tongue” (Week 7 of Praying Proverbs 31).

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Week 4 Schedule

January 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Our themes for this week: “A Wholesome Tongue” and “A Praiseworthy Life”

Week 4 Schedule

Sunday: Day 1 (week 7) and Day 2

Monday: Day 3 and Day 4

Tuesday: Day 5 and Day 6

Wednesday: Day 7 and Day 1 (week 8)

Thursday: Day 2 and Day 3

Friday: Day 4 and Day 5

Saturday: Day 6 and Day 7

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What will she see? (link-up)

January 18, 2012 By 1 Comment

What does my daughter see as I go about my daily tasks?

When I’m making a meal for my family, does she sense that I love my family, that I love my God, that I love the role I’m called to?

As I clean up after my children and attempt to organize our house, does she perceive that it is a task I dread rather than one I am content to fulfill?

When she comes to me with one of her million questions or one of her thousands of discoveries, does she know she is my treasure, or does she feel more like an interruption?

What does she hear when I respond to her, to her brother, to my husband? Does she hear love and respect or frustration and impatience?

It is my heart that God has ordained to nurture and mentor hers. Does she see in me a heart for my home, or is my heart leading her astray?

What probing questions have you been pondering this week? Don’t forget to comment and link-up with your thoughts.


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Week 3 Schedule

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“A Heart for Home” and “A Wardrobe of Honor” are the themes for this week, as we head into our third week of prayer for our daughters. My prayer is that the Lord is blessing your time with Him and preparing your heart as you parent the heart of your daughter.

Week 3 Schedule

Sunday: Day 1 (week 5) and Day 2

Monday: Day 3 and Day 4

Tuesday: Day 5 and Day 6

Wednesday: Day 7 and Day 1 (week 6)

Thursday: Day 2 and Day 3

Friday: Day 4 and Day 5

Saturday: Day 6 and Day 7

Week 1 Schedule

Week 2 Schedule

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Setting the Prize before her (and link up)

January 11, 2012 By 4 Comments

It happens several times a day. My daughter sits in the middle of a pile of toys and cries, “It’s too hard” when I tell her to pick up her room. She stands before a stack of clothes to fold and whines, “It’s too hard.” Nearly everything I ask her to do, I hear the familiar excuse.

It would be so easy for me to tell her “just do it,” or to scold her for not obeying instantly. And yet, in the back of my mind, I totally relate to the paralysis she feels.

How many times have I looked at a house that is more of a demolition zone than a home and whined to God, “It’s too hard”? How many times must my husband have seen that same look of hopeless helplessness when I’ve gotten behind on a task! My daughter doesn’t need me to tell her to grow up; she’ll do that soon enough. But my daughter does need me to come alongside and help her both practically and spiritually.

Practically, my daughter needs help in breaking down larger tasks. I’ve found she responds much better if I tell her to pick up a certain group of toys rather than her whole room. For example, “Pick up all your princess toys and come tell me when your done.” When she has accomplished this small step, I praise her and give her the next task: “Now pick up all your baby dolls.” I do the same thing with her laundry. “Find all of your shirts, fold them, and put them away. Let me know when your done.” Not only am I teaching her a skill she will need later on, breaking down a large task into smaller tasks, but I’m also able to keep her heart open to me and to instruction.

Spiritually, my daughter needs me to cast a vision for her of what her work will accomplish. In the grime of day to day, even I can lose focus on the eternal essence of my mundane tasks. My daughter needs to be mentored in what lies before her. What is the goal? What is the reward? What is the prize and why does she want it? Can you answer those questions for your daughter? Can you answer those questions in your own life? If not, take a moment to meditate and pray for the answer. Your daughter will need someone to help her see what it is she is pressing toward.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. -Phil. 3:14

What are your thoughts and experiences from this week? Comment or link up and share!


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Week 2 Schedule

January 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s time for Week 2 of our 31 days of Praying Proverbs 31, and our two themes this week are probably the ones that hit closest to home for me as I am prone to discouragement with my household duties and often see my daughter facing the same struggle. We’ll be covering “A Rewarding Work” and “A Far-Reaching Vision” as we pray for our daughters, granddaughters, and other young women that we know.

Week 2: January 8-January 14

Sunday: (Week 3) Day 1 and Day 2 prayers

Monday: Day 3 and Day 4 prayers

Tuesday: Day 5 and Day 6 prayers

Wednesday: Day 7 and (Week 4) Day 1 prayers

Thursday: Day 2 and Day 3 prayers

Friday: Day 4 and Day 5 prayers

Saturday: Day 6 and Day 7 prayers

Want to join with us? It’s not too late. Just pick up your copy of Praying Proverbs 31 and follow the schedule with us. Or, you can go back and begin with Week 1.

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Content in Today

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last night, my daughter whined that she didn’t like being a three year old. She wanted to be a four year old. As I finished cooking supper, I listened to my husband reason with her. After all, how did she know she would like being 4? She’d never been four years old before.

This morning, as I prayed Day 4′s prayer (“May my daughter be content in Your calling for her”), I thought about this conversation. As I prayed that she would be content in whatever stage in life she was in, I remembered her pathetic little voice crying about being only three. And I realized it probably would not be our last conversation on the topic of growing older.

Lord, teach her to find her ultimate satisfaction…in the plans You have for her….Help her to learn from me and for herself that You are the only One to bring true fulfillment.

And Father, keep me from presuming that a three year old is too young to begin learning this important lesson.

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Renewing the Mind

January 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

Valuing virtue on a daily basis has been a real challenge for me as I’m training my daughter. It’s not necessarily that I don’t value virtue and character; it’s that it is so easy to notice appearances first.

I’m finding myself having to retrain how I think—about my daughter, about myself, and about culture. And though our culture and its influences are an easy scapegoat for the problem, I don’t think my tendency to prioritize appearances is a new problem.

“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”—1 Samuel 16:7

The tendency to notice the outward characteristics first is a problem that stems from our finite human nature. We don’t perceive as God does; we don’t see the “heart” as easily as God does. A vision for the things of God takes effort, prayer, and a desire for the things of God.

For me to emphasize and value virtue in my own life and as I train my daughter is not a matter of forming a new habit. It’s not about my effort to reshape my thinking process. It is about letting the Word of God take root in my heart and transform me by the renewing of my mind.

As I pray this week for my daughter to value virtue, I’m really praying for myself as well.

 

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Ready, Set, Go! (Week 1)

December 31, 2011 By 4 Comments

It’s finally time! We’re kicking off the New Year with 31 days of prayer for daughters, granddaughters, etc. I have been praying, and I hope that you have been as well, that God will use this time mightily in our lives.

Each week I’ll be taking a little bit of time to write about the themes we will be praying from Proverbs 31 and introducing the next set of prayers. And it would encourage my heart so much to hear from you and to hear what the Lord is doing through your prayers.

If you would like to start a group, either in your home/church or on the internet, let me know and I’ll add you to the list. Or, if you intend to blog about your time of prayer, I’d love to add your blog to the list as well.

This first week, we will be covering two themes: A Valuable Virtue and A Pure Life, from Proverbs 31: 10-12.

Week 1: January 1-January 7

Sunday: Day 1 and Day 2 prayers

Monday: Day 3 and Day 4 prayers

Tuesday: Day 5 and Day 6 prayers

Wednesday: Day 7 and (week 2) Day 1 prayers

Thursday: Day 2 and Day 3 prayers

Friday: Day 4 and Day 5 prayers

Saturday: Day 6 and Day 7 prayers

 Haven’t purchased your book yet? I’m offering a special discount to those joining the study. This week only, just type in the word “study” for $3 off the price. Buy your copy of Praying Proverbs 31 here. 

 

 

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