Power in Prayer

Throughout your days as a parent, it is likely that people express they are praying for you and with you—and with God’s grace, some actually do. In the rush of life with littles, though, it is easy for the best of intentions to fall flat. On the flip side, many of us have been guilty of saying we will pray for someone and we, too, fail on the follow through. I want you to know that we in the Children and Family Ministries area are truly praying for you. Behind this computer screen are real people who really care about you, your children, and your families. When I say I will pray for you—I will pray for you!

Our goal with this blog, group page, and all of our parenting events on campus is to create a community where parents come together and grow in wisdom. We want to share life with you and truly know you and your family. Often times, especially in a church the size of Stonebriar, it is easy to blend in with the masses. In fact, that is the appeal for many people—come, be fed, go home, answer to no one. As the body of Christ, however, we work together, and relationships happen when we are vulnerable enough to share with others. Please do not do this parenting thing alone, and please do not feel like you are too good (or too messed up) to be in fellowship with others. I want all the parents of Stonebriar to rise up and join together, believing and seeing the Lord work through our earnest prayers for one another. I really want to encourage you to send in any prayer requests you have, and to know with full assurance we will lift them up to the Lord—and nothing will be shared that you wish to remain private.

As we join together, let us commit to praying for every parent at Stonebriar, every child at Stonebriar, and every family we will encounter during our membership. 1 Timothy 2:1 says: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” At night, when my three-year-old talks about his little kids (the very distant, future ones), we pray for them and for the spouse God is fashioning together for him even now. Maybe my little boy’s wife (her name is Sally, apparently) is your daughter. Maybe it is your little girl we are already bringing before the Lord. As a mom, it would move my soul to know you also took a moment during your days to pray for my children and family, as well. Can you imagine what the Church would look like if every believer poured out his or her heart to the Father?

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

Romans 8:26

What do you say? Will you join me in actively coming before the Throne not only for your family, but for all the families at Stonebriar and all the families in the collective Body of Christ? I believe God loves to give good gifts to His children, and I believe one of the greatest gifts is His peace (Philippians 4:6-7) that comes when we present our requests to Him.

There are plenty of solid churches and plenty of solid believers. But there are also church bodies who do not hold one another accountable, where believers only engage on Sunday mornings. I do not want any of us to look like floundering fish—I want us to look like sharply focused eagles soaring to new heights as a community. We may not know one another in real life, but we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and for that reason alone, we should encourage and spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

Praying for you!

Gabbie

Author

  • Gabbie Nolen-Fratantoni

    Gabbie Nolen-Fratantoni loves Jesus and is passionate about serving him through the arts by leading worship and writing for various ministries. She is married to Greg, her hard-working, iron-sharpening-iron spouse. They are opposite in personality but equal in dedication to their marriage and family. Gabbie and Greg are the proud and sleep-deprived parents of two active, sweet, and fun boys and one gentle, joy-filled, little girl. An Aggie and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Gabbie is a small-town country girl trapped in the city. She loves getting to know people and encouraging them as they seek to know Jesus and make him known.

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