A
Prayer for The Christian Homemaker
Dear
Precious Father, Help
me today to be friendly. From the time I
wake up until I go to bed guide my tongue, my actions,
and my thoughts towards all others into only the friendliest
of tones. Lord, let me use the full extent of the
definition for "friendly" in my life today...
1.
Affectionate and trusting. May I bless my
husband with loving affection any chance I get. Whether
it is as simple as pulling the covers over him as
he is sleeping or as complicated as figuring out the
right way to respond to what he is telling me... make
me the affectionate wife You meant for me to be. Teach
me this affection with my precious children. May I
hug, love on and openly cherish them more than I nag,
scold, or criticize! May this affection overflow from
our family to every one who enters our warm home.
I long to be trusting, Lord, as Your Word instructs...
I ask for Your help in trusting...trusting that my
husband is the man You want him to be right now, trusting
that Your Word is always true and the answer to everything,
trusting that the right actions on my part will produce
good fruit in this difficult but rewarding thing called
marriage. Trusting... trusting that my children will
make it through my many faults and failures to become
the adults You already know they'll be... trusting
in You instead of in me.
2.
Helpful - tending to be beneficial or favorable to
somebody or thing. This word seems so simple,
my Lord! So basic and simple and easy... but it's
not so, is it? Not for me always, I know...Let today
be different. Let today be one huge opportunity to
helpful...to be beneficial in every way I can! I look
forward to this challenge, Lord! I long to joyfully
become the helping, helpful, beneficial, favorable
wife, mother and woman that You call me to be! If
there is anything I can do this day to help my husband
in any way... reveal this/these to me so that I can
go about getting them done! If there is a need or
desire he hasn't expressed but You know to be there...
share it with me and like a surprise party we can
work together to do this task that he didn't even
know I knew of! Show me ways, sweet Father, to be
the same for my children. If they have a need to be
met...guide me each step in meeting it. If they are
struggling with anything... fears, chores, attitudes,
--- anything...help them through me. Help them with
my hands and with my heart.
3.
On the same side - not antagonistic toward or in conflict
with another. This is another one that should
be easy... another thing that should be automatic
and sure. Once again with me, Lord, it isn't always
the case. Oh, I claim it! I claim that it is us against
the world, that we are a team, that we are always
on the same side --- but too often I don't live it.
Too often I will make decisions on my own before even
thinking of asking my husband HIS view until I have
already decided on it. Much too often I will see things
his way and my way instead of our way. All too often
I will allow an argument/disagreement to place us
on different side. Forgive me, Father, and help me
today to keep us as one! Let me not antagonize if
I am frustrated by making little comments or thinking
in my head "I told you so". Help me today
to remain on the same side as my kids on every issue
we face. Not on the side of someone else's opinion
or thoughts but us all... on the same side and together.
Help me to teach them this now --- that we are all
in this thing together so that they can grow up to
keep their families bonded this way one day. Allow
no conflict to separate us, Father... none is worth
that!
4.
Pleasant and welcoming - with a pleasant and welcoming
atmosphere. This one is such a passion of
mine! Oh, King of my soul, You know how much I love
to put this one into practice. I know I fall down
and fail far more than I begin to stand and succeed
but it is in my heart to try! Okay, Lord... today
I pray that I will be enjoyable! That my home will
be enjoyable! You can help me, Lord, for I have it
not on my own to provide this joy that they can take
part in at all times. When they wake up, Father, fill
them with joy! When I serve them breakfast, however
hurried we might be --- help me to make it enjoyable.
Make my nature good... let my entire demeanor speak
of happiness, peace and goodness so that it will pour
out on my loved ones. Oh, Father - that I could serve
you by creating and establishing a WELCOME home! Welcome
for my dear and precious family as well as every beautiful
familiar and not recognized face that graces our doorstep.
Train me, Lord! Please train me to receive gladly
each and every person I am blessed to love and care
for. Make my home - my home that is really Your home
- a place my husband delights in. Instruct me in every
way so that he can be blessed by every moment he is
here. Make my children glad to be home, glad to be
with us and glad to help keep our focus on You and
in serving others. Let us gladly and generously welcome
each other into each new day, with each meal partaken,
each time shared together, each close of the day.
May each soul rest in the knowledge that they are
eagerly and delightfully accepted... accepted for
who they are in YOU, accepted in complete and total
love. May we answer each need in welcoming grace as
opportunities to learn more of what You would have
us do. Show us how to freely love and show love never
expecting anything in return. Just as You have always
done for us. Just as Your Son did on that cross. He
gave everything and expected nothing in return. He
loved without condition and in spite of them. May
we only strive today and each day coming to follow
His prime example of friendliness, affection, trust,
helpful, pleasant, and welcoming.
In the Name of Christ, the Name above all names, King
above all Kings, beautiful Lord, Jesus Christ... Amen.
Based on Proverbs 14:1 |
