“The Bible says ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away: behold, all things have become new’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). That doesn’t mean that when we receive Jesus we are suddenly perfect and incapable of sinning. It means we have been freed from the consequences of sin, which is death, and we have been given the power to resist it. But we must make choices everyday about whether we will live in that freedom and power or not.”

Once again a chapter with a subject that speaks to my life, heart and everyday happenings. I found myself looking back through my life growing up as well as my observations of the older generations of my family. The miracles that God is capable of in releasing us and our children from a history of bondage to an area is incredible!

My mom grew up in a home that was far less than pleasant. Abuse and mistreatment was an everyday throughout the day occurrence and she did not want that for us. Sure there were still things done that she regretted while raising us, but the difference was absolutely amazing. I remember her saying several times that she was breaking a new mold so that we could go out with a fresh parenting perspective without the hangups she dealt with.

On my dad’s side there is worry and anxiety . . . . but my grandfather was also an AMAZING prayer warrior! Which will I choose???? Yes, in a way it is a conscious choice.

So, what bondage am I struggling with and trying to let go of? I have already been very blessed and God has completely released me from anxiety, nervousness and fear! That was huge too! I am still struggling with breaking the anger issue though. This is a daily stuggle for me and one that I forget to give to Him each morning until I have already experienced it for the day and then the lightbulb finally goes on.

Not surprising it is the biggest issue I see in my sons, especially the oldest. Getting this one out fast is a huge priority. Of course it has to start with me! Breaking the spirit of anger in myself as I pray over all others in the family is the only way this will happen. I am so thankful though that I can go to Him and ask for help each and every day and He WILL give it to me!!!!! WOW!

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” – Romans 8:16&17

Isn’t it great that we can simply trust Him for our future and we will be set free from any negative inheritance by repenting of it and asking him to free us? Do you have any family traits or sin patterns that you wish you hadn’t inherited? Have you been freed from any?

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

I am learning so much through this book. Giving myself daily and weekly challenges in prayer and even in the way I parent and interact with my sons! One of my favorite things is the conversations that I am puposefully creating with my boys.

Have you found anything in your relationship or daily life with your children has been altered because of this book? I have! I am now making a conscious effort to spend more time praying with my sons not just for them! I think that in many ways there is probably something in my daily life with my kiddos that has changed as a direct result of something in each chapter of this book. Sure there are a few chapters that I was already doing one way or another, but overall it has changed my focus in many areas.

God bless you this week! We will be reading Chapters 13 and 14 this week and I’ll post about them next Thursday. If you are interested in joining us we would love to have you! Newcomers are welcome anytime. All you need to do is pick up the book The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian and read chapters 1 and 2. After that just jump in wherever we are. Click on the Praying Parent link to read my thoughts and leave a comment. Our schedule is linked too, just click on Praying Parent Schedule!

See You Next Week!

I found myself crying as I prayed the prayer written at the end of this chapter. It gave me hope, it gave me a strategy, it gave me a prayer and it spoke to my heart!

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be graceful ornaments on your head, and chains about your neck” ~ Proverbs 1:8-9

I know that I mentioned it in my thoughts about the last chapter, but our oldest son is moody and facing some turbulent thoughts and feelings right now. I do my best and sometimes feel desperate for him to “straighten up”. It is a heart thing. I cannot worry, fret or fear . . . I MUST pray, trust and encourage!

As parents I would venture to say that keeping rebellion and disobedience under control is the focus of much of every day for me. Teaching, instructing, guiding and ever steering them away from the temptation to disobey us. As our oldest has progressed through the tween years though I realize that he truly does know the “right” way and has a choice to make. The choice is really only his, I cannot make it for him, but I can pray! Instead of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and despairing over what he does. Taking it before God and trusting He who created my son and loves my son more than even I do is the only one that can touch my son’s heart and mind and fill it with the truth!

I can trust in God’s perfect will and plan for my sons’ lives and it is high time I remembered that daily and brought it before Him instead of taking it on for myself!

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over
all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” ~Luke
10:19

Do you struggle with the disobedience of your children? Have you been able to give it to Him? What touched you in this chapter?

The questions for this week are (feel free to answer as many or as few as you’d like):

1. What areas do you feel you struggle with as a parent (Do you have fears that are getting in the way, or issues with anger, or your own childhood) that might get in the way of effectively praying for your children?

2. What area do you feel that your child is struggling or needs prayer?

3. Have you created a personalized list for your children? (feel free to share some of the items on that list)

I love what she says in this chapter:

If we . . .
WATCH Him,
WALK with Him,
WAIT on Him,
WORSHIP Him,
and LIVE in His word,
WE WILL WIN this battle for our children.

How does that statement make you feel?

Think on these questions today and feel free to post your thoughts and/or answers to them this week at your blog (leave us a comment anytime so we can visit you and share together).

We will be reading chapters 2 and 3 this week.

How to Start:
You may join in at any time as this will be a lengthy study. The sticky topic will let you know where we are in the study, and we will have a Link on the sidebar to get you to all of the posts regarding this study.

• To begin the study read the first chapter in the book, then read the chapter we are in.
• Each Thursday I will post a list of study and prayer questions for those who are participating to consider.
• Each week I will update the sticky post (located at the top of every page) to let you know what chapter(s) we’re reading that week and when to join us.
• You can even post your thoughts and answers on your blog and let us know by leaving a comment. As mom’s we’re so often blessed and encouraged by the things that others get out of these studies.

Why Participate?
I began reading The Power of A Praying Wife also by Stormie Omartian a few years ago and it was incredible. Sure, my hubby and I have a great relationship, but frankly it hadn’t occurred to me to lift him in prayer daily. Doing this made me much more aware of his challenges and needs and made us closer! It was a great experience.

Where to Buy:
The link above is for the book at CBD for only $9.99, you can also get the The Power of a Praying Parent, Book and Study Guide from them for $14.99 – they also have prayer cards and many other tools. This book is also available in many local libraries (though since it is a 30 week study you would need to be quite creative about checking it out), on Ebay and through many bargain bookstores.

More Resources:
There are many great parents groups out there and I recommend Moms In Touch if your children are in Public School, you are able to participate in one and if there is one in your area.

“I can see the fingerprints of God when I look at you.” Do I ever tell them this? What a simple way for me to integrate His magnificent creation while encouraging my sons! Helping children realize the fullness of their creation and creator is an interesting and sometimes challenging task. I am definitely feeling urgency these days to instill these things in my sons though! Especially the older ones.

As a parent it really is an excellent reminder of His love for my children (and me) and how perfectly He created them. It gives me a new, fresh perspective to parent them from – which is always a good thing!

So today, maybe we can all look for the many signs of God’s fingerprints on our children and remember the blessings and gifts He has given them and us!

Now I have to say here that this isn’t always the case! Much of the time it is not done nicely (they all found this one funny though) and frankly is usually intended to hurt or as revenge. It saddens me to no end that they do this!

We try always to encourage them to handle their anger appropriately and give them the tools they need to do so. To help them to understand the consequences of “revenge” and hateful words. And then we pray! What more can we do? Hubby and I don’t fight so we know they aren’t picking it up from us – we tease and every once in a while have a difference of opinion. So, we pray and read the Bible to discover the basics of rearing boyz!

That said, there are also many wonderful tools out there to help parents – often written from the perspective of someone who’s “been there done that”! We can learn from those more experienced than ourselves! I’m going to consider this my “Fun Finds Friday” post even though I went about it rather oddly – and below I’m going to list some websites and books that we have used and read over the years!

Books:

• Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition) – This is one of the first books that I was introduced to as a new mom and I love the ideas they present to train your children to think for themselves and make decisions based on choices.
• The New Dare to Discipline – one of Dr James Dobson’s most known books, but I appreciate the candor and challenges he poses to parents who are shy to discipline their children.
• The New Strong-willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence – We have a Strong-Willed one and this book offers great strategies and tecniques to use for them.
• The Power of a Praying® Parent Book of Prayers – This is a new one for me, but I am familiar with The Power of a Praying Wife and love it!
• Bringing Up Boys – Offers deeper insight into the minds and hearts of boys!
• Feed Me I’m Yours – Revised – Great information, suggestions, and recipes for feeding your baby healthy homemade foods!
• Taming of the C.A.N.D.Y. Monster*: *Continuously Advertised Nutritionally Deficient Yummies (Lansky, Vicki) – Fabulous recipes for alternative snacks and desserts to keep your family healthy while still offering foods that your children will actually eat!

Websites:

• Focus On The Family – Dr James Dobsons well known ministry – articles and resources are available here on a large variety of topics for the family!
• Focus On Your Child – A division of Focus on the Family that is specifically geared to parents as they raise their little ones!
• Plugged In Online – Unsurpassable resource for insight into all of the new movies, videos and TV shows from a Family Friendly Perspective!
• All Mom Info – I know that this is my own website, but I actually have access to great parenting information and articles, so I use this for myself even LOL! Some of the resources such as recipes and more are still at www.AllMomShops.com.

That will do it for today! Have fun today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!