TRANSCRIPT 🔗
00:00:02
Speaker 1: Life Audio.
00:00:16
Speaker 2: You're listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, helping you pray God's word for your family in the areas you need it most.
00:00:23
Speaker 1: I'm your host, Nicolette Bell.
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Speaker 2: Here, we believe prayer isn't a last resort. It's our first and best response in parenting. And every day we come together to partner with God for the hearts of our children. Do you believe your prayers as a mom make a difference?
00:00:40
Speaker 1: I mean, like, really believe it?
00:00:44
Speaker 2: Do you ever have the best intentions to be in consistent prayer for your children but are unsure how to get the habit to stick? You really try, but maybe at the end of the day you realize you haven't prayed at all. Friends, our newest devotional, Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying God's Word for Your Children from Newborn to Empty Nest, comes out next week, and it addresses just that.
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Speaker 1: This devotional is an invitation to.
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Speaker 2: Spend 30 days praying God's Word over your children, understanding the why behind why we do it, and creating habits that last.
00:01:19
Speaker 1: There's still some time left to get your pre-order bonus.
00:01:22
Speaker 2: If you pre-order today, you will receive early access to our new prayer video course, That is a great preview or companion for the book.
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Speaker 1: Find a pre-order link in our show notes.
00:01:34
Speaker 2: Today's devotion is written and read by Shannon Maracco, the founder of Embrace Women's Ministry and the Impact Leadership Network and co-author of her new book, Pelotalk. Today, Shannon shares encouragement.
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Speaker 1: For when we don't feel enough as moms.
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Speaker 2: To learn more about Shannon or more about our ministry, visit millionprayingmoms.com.
00:01:56
Speaker 1: After a quick word from our sponsors, we'll pray together for our children.
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Speaker 3: Isaiah 41.10 Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I remember the day my older daughter was born as if it were yesterday. I had been battling severe preeclampsia and my doctor decided to induce labor a month before my due date. When she finally arrived, tiny at just 5 pounds 6 ounces, I held her in my arms and was overwhelmed by the sudden reality of becoming a mother. Her little ocean blue eyes looked up at me as if I were her entire world. Her tiny fingers curled around mine and a thought hit me with full force. Everything I do is going to matter in her life. Then came the fear. Oh my gosh, she's mine. What if I mess this up? The responsibility felt so heavy that it was almost hard to breathe. But in that moment, the Lord reminded me of something I have never forgotten. No, she is not yours. She is mine. I've entrusted her to you. What a difference that truth makes. Our children are a heritage from the Lord. They are not ultimately ours to control. They are lives God has entrusted to our care. We are called to steward them, guide them, love them, teach them, and point them to Jesus. But we were never meant to carry the weight of their entire future on our shoulders. Maybe you have felt the same pressure. Am I doing enough? Am I praying enough? Did I handle that situation the right way? What if my mistakes negatively impact my child?
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Speaker 4: Take a breath, mama. You do not have to be.
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Speaker 1: A perfect parent.
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Speaker 3: You need a dependent heart that keeps turning toward a perfect God.
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Speaker 4: There will be moments when you don't know what to do.
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Speaker 3: There will be seasons when When every child needs something different, there will be times when you make the wrong decision, lose your patience, or wish you could go back and do something differently.
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Speaker 4: But God is not asking you to parent alone.
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Speaker 3: He promises to be with you, give you wisdom, and fill the gaps where you are missing it.
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Speaker 4: Let's pray.
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Speaker 3: Father, thank you for entrusting these precious lives to me. When I feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of motherhood, remind me that my children are yours. Give me wisdom when I do not know what to do, patience when I am tired, grace when I make mistakes, and discernment to know how to lead each child according to your purposes. Help me release the pressure to be perfect and instead become a mother who continually seeks you. Teach me to trust you with my children's future and.
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Speaker 4: To faithfully steward the years you have given me with them.
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Speaker 3: Fill the gaps where I am missing it and let my children see your love through me.
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Speaker 4: In Jesus' name, amen.
00:04:39
Speaker 2: My guess is that if you're here listening to the Everyday Prayers podcast, you kind of care about praying for your children. My newest book, Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying God's Work from Your Children from Newborn to Emptiness, is a great resource for moms who desire to pray for their kids. I don't know if you've ever looked up at the end of the day and realized that you didn't pray at all. So often we have this desire to pray. but we may not know how to put that desire in to practice. I'm learning in motherhood that my prayers adapt and change based on the season that we're in as a family.
00:05:19
Speaker 1: I'm also learning to give myself.
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Speaker 2: Grace in those different seasons. I know God isn't after perfect, polished prayers. He's after my heart, and He's after yours too. So my plan is to be intentional, whatever that looks like, in this season.
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Speaker 1: I hope that is your plan. as well. God sees our hearts.
00:05:40
Speaker 2: He's honored by our desire to connect with Him. If you're feeling stuck in your prayer life, I've got a new free download, a five-day prayer reset. It's a great guide to help you get started, jump back in, stay consistent, grow.
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Speaker 1: Deeper in your prayers for your kids.
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Speaker 2: It's also a great tool to share with with your friends or with your family members that may be seeking to know God deeper in prayer as they're wanting to pray for their kids. I hope you will grab your copy today at millionprayingmoms.com. We'll also put a link in our show notes. Until next time, friends, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look with favor upon you and give you his peace.