A Father's Prayers

 Chris and I pray together every night before we go to sleep. A few nights ago, he started praying for our boys to have abounding peace and joy in their lives - freedom to live fully and abundantly without fear. This is a big and powerful prayer for a man who looks depression and anxiety in the eye daily and engages them in battle. 

Since he’s been praying those prayers, there’s been an (otherwise) unexplainable joy and freedom in our sons.  We went on a cold walk by a river yesterday afternoon. On the way home, both boys spontaneously burst into songs because they were just so happy. We hadn’t had electricity or hot showers in 24 hours at that point and the day before it stormed so bad we couldn’t do anything but sit inside. But they sang. Benjamin sang the sweetest high-pitched lullaby while Lifa created his own beat and rap song. At the same time. The backseat was the sweetest two-man show. I laughed hysterically and gratefully in the front seat all the way home. 

They sang because their dad prayed for their songs. Their dad did hard work to break through his personal battles for their freedom. Their dad prayed for them.

Dads, your prayers matter. Your prayers write the songs and stories of your children.

Moms, if your kids don’t have dads who know how to pray, your prayers are received with extra weight and extra grace. The prayers of your church and community for your children will shape them, so make sure you’re wrapped up in a church family. My mom and my church’s prayers shaped me. 

Children or adults without children yet, SING SONGS! Sing with others, over others, and start praying for your future’s songs too. 

I got to watch how much it matters in just one weekend.