The One Prayer that Captures All the Longings of a Mama’s Heart

It was those Bibles strewn across the kitchen table that launched my heart right into my throat this morning, God’s Word framed with dribbles of orange juice and cereal crumbs, splatters of jelly and an abandoned spelling list.

I hadn’t noticed it right away when I’d returned from dropping the kids at school, how those remnants of our morning rush were a portrait of answered prayer.

I’d been too busy rinsing the dishes and grumbling about the milk cartons left carelessly on the counter, too focused on mixing up one more batch of brownies and emptying that stinky lunch box that had been excavated from the bottom of a certain second-grader’s backpack right before we’d headed out the door.

But when I’d turned from the sink with soapy dishrag in hand, and I’d spotted that streak of yellow blazing across that well-worn page of my sixteen-year-old’s Bible, I realized that I was beholding a yes from God.

The first time I’d asked, I was planted in a rocking chair in the corner of a mauve and blue hospital room, that tiny bundle of wrinkles and wonder tucked snugly in my arms. My husband had been snoozing on that too-small couch by the window and I’d reached for my Bible in the quiet of the afternoon. I’d balanced the Word in one hand and my fresh-from-the-womb-firstborn in the other, and I’d lingered over my favorite Psalms until the nurse had bustled in with her checklist and an apologetic smile.

I’d prayed it then as I marveled at my son’s smooshed nose and serious blue eyes: Lord, give this child a love for your Word. 

And I’d uttered it this morning as I sat by the window in the dark before dawn, covering that same boy in prayer, and all four of his siblings, too.

Lord, give my children a love for your Word. 

And in the years and the months and the minutes in between, I’ve spoken that prayer a thousand times more.

From the lonely quiet of the rocking chair trenches to the deafening middle of my mini-van madness, I’ve begged God over and over again to ignite a holy love affair in my children’s hearts.

Motherhood compels prayer like living beckons breath.

And we who carry children know that prayer is what carries a mama through every change and challenge.

We pray for safety and for health, for wisdom and whimsy.

We pray for tempers to be tamed and kindness to be kindled, for faith to be enflamed and squabbles to be squashed.

We pray for the company our children will keep and the mates they will one day marry. We pray for their todays and their somedays.

And we pray for their mamas… for help and hope, patience and perseverance.

Our prayers change over the years, much like our children do.

But this morning, when I ran my washrag along the edges of those Bibles, scooped up the crumbs and the drizzles that flanked God’s Holy writ right there in my kitchen, I realized that this one prayer has withstood the test of time–

Jesus, give my children a LOVE for your Word.

Maybe it’s because it’s the one prayer that captures all the longings of a mama’s heart.

We want our children to stick with Jesus, to follow the unique path He’s planned for them. 

And God’s Word can help them do that.

 You’re blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set. (Psalm 119:1-4)

We want our kids to live with purpose and passion, to chase after Jesus’ great big dreams rather than waste their lives on their own small aspirations.

And God’s Word can show them how.

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
    grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
    I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
    God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
    if you’ll just show me how. (Psalm 119:29-32)

We want our children to know deep in their marrow that they are loved. Deeply. Completely. Always. 

And God’s Word can anchor them to that amazing truth.

Let your love, God, shape my life
with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery
because I trusted your Word.
Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—
your commandments are what I depend on. (Psalm 119:41-43)

We want our kids to make wise choices and to delight in life as a precious gift. Because it is.

And God’s Word can make that possible.

God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
    I love traveling this freeway! (Psalm 119:33-35)

We want want our children to chase after Heaven’s treasures rather than selling their souls for earthly gain.

And God’s Word can lead them to true riches.

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
    and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
    invigorate me on the pilgrim way. (Psalm 119:36-37)

We want our children to cling to Jesus when life gets hard.

And God’s Word can be their linchpin.