Praying For Our Family

         When my children were younger and my life (mostly my marriage) was so messed up, I spent a great amount of time in prayer.  You know that saying, “You’ll never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”  I didn’t coin that phrase, but I should have, because there were many, many, many dark days when it was only my faith that kept me going.
         In my prayer time, I would cry out to God to HELP me, to help us. God has always been so real to me, such an integral part of my life and it is this relationship that I wanted my children to have. My plea to God was, “I just want my kids to know You, to love You and serve You, to be used by You, God. Please, please God, that’s all I want you to do for my kids.”
         God not only heard that prayer of mine - young, frazzled, broken and bruised young mother that I was -  He answered those prayers. Today my five grown, adult children all know the Lord and three daughters are married to credentialed ministers, and actively involved in ministry.
         Now I have over twenty grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Several months ago, I asked God in prayer about my grandchildren. “What about my grandchildren, God? I want grandchildren to feel called into ministry.”  And the same God that heard and answered those long ago prayers, heard my cry.
         Two nights ago I got to hear my grandson, Nathanael, preach. He feels called into the ministry. My heart is proud, and humbled. Thank you, Jesus! My granddaughter, Vanessa, feels called to work in youth ministry and has been doing that for some time now. Thank you, Jesus! As time progresses, my heart and soul are expectant of others to feel that call. The greatest gift I can give You, Lord, is my life and the lives of those who are on earth as direct result of me, from the lineage I begot.
          As you pray for your loved ones, I have this encouragement: GOD IS FAITHFUL! You may not see the results of your prayers right away, but be assured, God is at work!