parenting Archives - Lauren Sparks

Today my youngest daughter turns 17. She gets the credit for my current love affair with praying scripture, so I couldn’t help but think of her for today’s Praying God’s Word Wednesday. I had used scripture to pray before (big fan of Stormie O’Martian’s books early in my marriage), but my girl Allie holds the distinction of being the first person I texted a scripture and prayer to.

Now, I weekly text many people I care about with scriptures and prayers. I also pray for me and my immediate family using whatever passage I happen to be reading (from a bible study, sermon notes from Sunday, a book, etc.). But I digress.

When thinking about my girl on the day of her birth, this scripture came to mind:

Behold, children are a ^[a]gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3 NASB

God gifts and rewards us in many ways. Children are only one of them. And parenting is far from sunshine and rainbows all the time. I have said often, and stand by, that my children are simultaneously the reason for some of my deepest joys and biggest frustrations. But today, when thinking about Allie, the following prayer flowed.

Replace the name and pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

Praying for you in this. And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit. It would mean so much to me. And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Today I’m praying God’s Word from a familiar story. David and Goliath fascinate me as much today as they did during my Sunday school days. Slaying a giant with no weapons to speak of? The fact that there even was a real life giant? Imagination captured!

While studying the passages, my focus stuck on the dramatic climax of this oft told tale. SPOILER ALERT:

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine [giant] on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:48-49 NIV

If you find yourself lacking context here, go read the whole thing. Look for fascinating details, such as, how young and small David was and how he refused to wear the king’s armor to fight. But I digress.

Praying God’s Word from This Passage

Satan stands between us and victory today. And Goliath’s defeat encourages me in the battles I see waged around me and in the lives of my children.

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So I prayed:

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

Praying for you in this. And don’t forget to share this on social media or with a friend who could benefit. It would mean so much to me. And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.