Anja Meyer
I am the head chef, master baker, educator, medical assistant, cleaner, health advisor, full time trainer and entertainer, but most of all, a diligent teacher of God's precious Word, all rolled into one. This is because I am privileged to be called mum by eight beautiful children. I could not do anything to deserve or earn this - it was an amazing gift from the Father.
More than all the titles and positions I have mentioned above, I have been challenged lately to also be the chief intercessor for my children.
My husband remembers how his mother would come into their bedrooms at night while they were asleep, and pray for each one of her children at their beds. He would wake up to find her in tears, begging the LORD to do a great work in their lives. Today her children's lives are a testament of all her prayers.
I have looked at certain Scripture verses in order to know how and what to pray for my children, and would like to share some key thoughts.
A mother should pray diligently and tirelessly for her children. We cannot expect God to take our prayers seriously if we do not. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
A mother's first prayer should be that her children will come to know the LORD as their own personal Saviour.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" 1 John 1:12
A mother should pray that her children will love the Word of God, spend time in it and meditate on it, day and night.
"I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:93, 97 and 105
A mother should pray that her children will be committed to and active in their local church.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
A mother should pray that her children will walk a just, merciful and humble walk with the LORD through this world.
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8
A mother should pray that the LORD will prepare spouses for her children - spouses that love the LORD with all their hearts, all their souls and all their minds - and give them children to train in the ways of the LORD.
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord." Psalm 128:3-4
Dear mother, there are countless more prayers to pray for our children, and numerous verses to encourage and inspire us. I hope that these will just remind you of and excite you about this calling. Please do not let the mundane and the dreary aspects of motherhood take your focus away or discourage you in your purpose. Let these quotes bring things back into perspective:
"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."
William Ross Wallace (an English poet) - 1865
"I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England."
John Wesley (an English evangelist) - 1703 to 1791
Allow me one final example of the far-reaching influence of a mother's teaching. Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, once recalled, "I could almost hear my mother's voice. She would tell me stories and read to me from the Old Testament, the heroes of the Bible. One afternoon she said, 'Richard, someday you're going to be in a position where you can help save the Jewish people. And when that day comes, you must do everything in your power.'"
You know of course from history what a lasting impact his mother's profound words had on him. Nixon's decision to provide crucial aid to Israel during the Yom Kippur War, and his actions during this time, have been credited with literally saving Israel from an onslaught of potentially devastating attacks.
So, dear mother, keep on keeping on in this high calling of your life!
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14