prayer is for everything

It was one of those busy days. The kids were running around like crazy — way too much energy pent up and not too much time being able to spend outside. After a bit the energy turned to just a bit of fighting which led to more and more chaos.

I tried telling them to stop it. To tone it down. To quit running.

They needed focus.

Almost immediately my mind remembered how the boys start their martial arts class — and it’s about focus. I’ll hear my Brennan and Caleb speaking the words, “focus your eyes, focus your mind, focus your body, sir.” And then it hit me. What if we prayed for focus? Right now, right in the middle of a busy day.

And we did. We prayed that Jesus would help them focus their eyes, and their minds, and their bodies, and that they would be respectful right now.

It got me thinking. How many times do we go through the day telling our kids to stop, or thinking we can’t do it, or we don’t have patience, and then rely on our own strength to get through the day? We keep pushing and pushing and pushing and yet forget to get on our knees in prayer.

I need to focus.

Less on myself and more on Him.

My prayers need to be an all day thing, not just in the morning or at the table or when there’s a crisis or before bed. It needs to be in those moments when it’s crazy in my house and I’m tired.

Jesus, thank you for being you and for your gift of life. Jesus, right now, right in the middle of parenting, I ask you for your strength, your direction, and your focus. You are my all in all and I thank you for the opportunity to parent, to be a mom, even in the midst of this chaos and crazy day. In fact, thank you for this chaos – as it is my family – and ultimately, even on these hard days, they bring me joy. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

That.

That is focus.

Prayer is for everything. All day. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

4 Responses to prayer is for everything
  1. Nikki
    April 17, 2012 | 10:46 pm

    What encouraging words, Rachel! Striving with you…to focus less on myself and more on Him.
    and tomorrow? I’ll remember to pray for focus!

  2. Rachel
    April 18, 2012 | 6:40 am

    Thank you, Nikki. It was so convicting to me to actually pray with my kids, right there, right in the midst of an issue, versus just getting after them.
    Blessings on your day as you pray for focus!
    Rachel

  3. Megan
    April 27, 2012 | 9:31 am

    Hi Rachel,
    I can’t tell you how this has blessed my heart today. My boys are also in Martial Arts classes and they, too, begin their class with “focus”. I forgot about that until you mentioned it. I need reminding that, during our crazy days at home when the dishes are piled, the laundry is a mountain, toys and school work is everywhere and my 4 boys are running around in every direction…unfocused, unable to focus….they need Jesus’ help. As do I. Thank you, sweet friend, for your encouraging Word of Truth to pray at all times and in everything…even right in the middle of our days…and even when all we need is a little focus, on the One who will help us.

    Megan

  4. Sandie
    May 4, 2012 | 2:34 pm

    Rachel, We all seem to “remember” how to pray when we are facing a crisis in our lives but “forget” that prayers can be said and heard at all hours of the day and night and don’t have to be for a “major” thing ~ just a short prayer to say “I need Your help Dear God” and then ~ let Him take over. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and add y’all to my prayer list and I know that God is with y’all always.
    Sandie