Greetings Prayer Warriors,
Reminiscing on when I was a new parent, I think of all the joys and all of the frustrations, especially in regards to communicating with my spouse. In those first few years, it was so easy for resentments to grow, especially since parenting was and is exhausting! I learned quickly that being an at-home parent was a blessing, but so under-appreciated! I was used to kudos, rewards, affirmations, and business lunches. Once I became a stay-at-home mom, there were zero kudos, many failures, no affirmations, and no time for lunch other than the baby’s leftovers! I longed to be out of my robe before noon and feared the doorbell would ring and catch me off guard! Affirmations were the occasional smile or hug from my child, when they weren’t colicky, cranky, or sick. I was very jealous of my spouse who at work could take breaks, go to lunch and get his work done. Worst of all was when he came home and would look around the house and ask, “What have you done all day??” Rage never leads to romance.
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27
This week, let’s pray for the marriages of the parents of the young.
Lord, parenting is the ultimate virtue-builder, but it arrives like an unexpected earthquake. No one is ever prepared for the aftershocks. In prayer, we beg you to lavish new parents with grace, that they may never slide into despair, build up resentments, or lose hope. Keep them tightly yoked, so that they may grow in virtue together. Give them hearts of understanding, bending to the needs of the other. Help them to communicate and listen to each other’s frustrations, desires, and hopes so that rage abates and romance flourishes. Strengthen their faith, so that they may pass on the truth of your love and become a living testament to your unwavering support. Jesus, we trust in You!
In everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints ,…by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God; 2 Corinthians 6: 4,6-7
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Support the marriage of new parents. Pass it on!
