What feelings are stirred up when I talk about praying scripture?
Does it feel like a stuffy, dull, rote memory kind of activity?
Do your eyes glaze over at the thought of opening up your bible?
Oh, Beloved Friend,
That used to be ME. It didn't matter what time of the day it was. When I started to get serious about reading the bible, my eyes just started drooping.
I prayed for YEARS for God to give me a hunger and thirst for His word. I asked Him to make it alive to me. After all, I saw IN THE WORD that it is
alive, active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12
a light and a lamp, Psalm 119:105
our daily bread. Matthew 4:4
breathed by God. 2 Timothy 3:16
Was with God, is God. John 1:1
Unfortunately for a number of years, my knowledge of how exciting and powerful the Word of God is did not match my experience IN the word of God.
If this is true for you, the thought of teaching your kiddos how to appropriate this power, turn on this light, and feast on the goodness of God might be kind of overwhelming.
Because God is faithful and answered my prayers to know Him more intimately, to hunger for the feast of His word, I am now PASSIONATE (cue the confetti) about helping other women (and their children) encounter the living God that is revealed in the Word.
HERE'S THE WHAT
In Deuteronomy 11:18-20, God instructs us to
commit His words to our hearts,
teach them to our children,
and make them a part of our daily lives.
Notice he doesn't say it will be a mountain-top experience after a mountain-top experience. Nope, it's the day-in and day-out routine that empowers us to be women of the Word and equip our children to do the same.
The best way to equip our children is to lead by example and show them the importance of reading and praying the Word. As we cultivate a habit of prayer in our own lives, our children will see the value of honest conversations with God and follow in our footsteps.
Leading by example is the best way to equip our children.
Pause for a moment and ask yourself:
How am I cultivating prayer in my own life?
How am I demonstrating the importance of God's Word to my children?
How can I equip my children to KNOW the voice of God?
While these questions may be challenging, they are crucial if we want our children to have sincere conversations with God.
HERE'S THE WHY
Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us the WHY of following God's instruction to teach our children to pray scripture.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my WORD that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire ...
HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS PROMISE. This passage reminds me that prayer is powerful and we can align our hearts with God's and use His Word as a tool for transformation for ourselves, our families, our communities, and even the WORLD. "Let His Kingdom Come".
It's up to us as parents to set the example and show our kids the importance and power of praying scripture. It's not always easy, but it's so worth it to see our children grow in their faith and have a deep relationship with God.
HERE'S THE HOW
Choose a passage from the Bible
Start with something that's well-known and simple, like The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Psalm 23, or Psalm
It's a great opportunity to pray and talk about it together. Even if your kids don't know the passage, that's okay, it's a chance to learn something new!
Focus on one passage for a month.
Beloved, there is NO HURRY. Teach your children to be like cows, chewing the cud.
Let them chew, digest, re-chew. Equip them to savor the Word of god.
Make it a daily routine to read and discuss it together, either in the morning or evening.
Talk about it: After reading the passage, discuss its meanings with your children. If there are any words or phrases that they need help understanding,
Use the 5 W's and H questions to delve deeper into the passage. Who is Jesus praying to? How does He address God? What is Jesus asking for, and why are these things important? If you are studying Psalm 23, discuss the role of a Shepherd and how they care for their sheep. Invite your children to share how they can relate to the passage.
Commit it to memory: By praying and discussing the passage every day, you will naturally memorize it. The language of the Word will become a natural part of your language.
Personalize it: Make the word apply to you and others.
For example, pray, "Let your kingdom come in Name yourself or another heart and my, our, or their home."
Lead name to freedom, away from temptation.”
You can also teach your children to intercede for others with the Word of God.
Use the passage to pray for others, such as "Lord, you are Susie’s shepherd. You lead her in the right direction.”
Keep It Simple
Transform the reading into a lovely prayer time shared with your child. Make it more meaningful by including phrases from previous conversations and using words that they are familiar with. Make the prayer unique. Help your child enjoy talking to God by showing them how wonderful it is.
Remember, your children glean from your example.
Be childlike in your approach to the Word of God.
Come with a believing heart.
Come with expectations.
Come ready to learn from your children as well as God.
The invitation is OPEN...
Hear God say, "COME."
PS: Don't forget to sign up to get my FREE guide to empower you (Mom) to EQUIP YOUR KIDS TO KNOW GOD'S VOICE.
You'll discover
How to play "I Spy God Moments,"
How simple (as easy as A-B-C) it is to adore God,
How to hold space for your kids to explore the Word in various ways...
AND SO MUCH MORE.
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