We headed to church today at noon for a prayer walk around campus before the grand opening this weekend.
After opening as a large group, our family of four visited the children's ministry area, the junior high room, our senior pastor's office, and the new sanctuary. We held hands, stood in a circle, and prayed aloud in each place.
And I cried.
Sitting in the room where I'll teach Bible study, I listened to Audrey pray:
"Dear God, Let Mom speak only what you want her to say and what you want these women to hear from you..."
Sitting in "our" new seats in the new worship center, I listened to Emma pray:
"Dear God, Let everyone who sits in these seats hear your Word and understand your Word and love your Word...."
My heart ached and my eyes teared up and I was awed and humbled. They pray with such power, such passion, such confidence. And they're eleven and nine. I can only imagine how they'll continue to grow. O God, what a gift you've given me in my girls. Help me love them well.
Of course, they also pray with their eyes open, because they both said, "Are you crying, Mom?"
How sweet! I know every time I listen to my girl pray, I'm reminded that my Father loves to hear ME pray as much as I love to hear her.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | March 05, 2010 at 06:58 AM
How precious! Just mozied over here from Marla Taviano's. I like!
Posted by: Kay Harms | March 05, 2010 at 07:28 AM
Oh, I have tears in my eyes just reading this, too. As a mom, I can relate to moments like this. It makes all the hard parenting days worth it, doesn't it?
"I have no great you than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." III John 4
Posted by: Kathleen Jaeger | March 05, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Oops I mean..."I have no greatER JOY than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Posted by: Kathleen Jaeger | March 05, 2010 at 07:53 AM
I passed this on to the Prayer Mobilization Team at my church. I love this idea of a prayer walk as a family. We have done walks in the past. We are doing a small Facelift before Easter as we called a new pastor the beginning of the year.
I know the point is listening to the heart and insight of our kids. I was caught tearing recently by my daughter this week.
Posted by: Leslie | March 05, 2010 at 12:07 PM
God has blessed you with two very special children. They too are very lucky, they have special parents. I love it when our children pray, so honest, so pure.
Posted by: Debbie Burd | March 05, 2010 at 02:01 PM
What a blessing. I love it when kids pray...although my 3 year old was not so honest and pure a while back. Her nightly pray was for her older brother, Ethan, to get a spanking! One night it change out of the blue to "Thank you God because you are good and right". I was amazed, but then the next night it was back to her regular request. Hope to meet your girls some year.
Posted by: Kimberly | March 05, 2010 at 09:10 PM
Hi Joanne!
I haven't left you a little note for ages, which is naughty of me. Sorry!
This post is just beautiful. It makes me impatient for my own children. You have lovely daughters and are a really wonderful mum.
Lots of love Annie
Posted by: Annie | March 06, 2010 at 12:16 AM
How wonderful...for them to do and you to be able to hear;o)
Posted by: rhonda | March 07, 2010 at 07:18 PM
Very nice, Indeed you are blessed with two lovely daughters..
Posted by: ask a doctor | March 09, 2010 at 12:10 PM