An Early Morning Prayer
It was just an ordinary day, I was exhausted and attempting to feed my children breakfast before grabbing my own coffee. I sat down, mind racing with everything I needed to accomplish today, and began a quick prayer of thanksgiving before they started eating. The 4 and 2 year olds eyes staring back at me were wide open and ready for adventure, heedless of the fact that they had both been awake during the night and left me in my now usual state of sleepiness.
I closed my eyes and began to pray, almost without thinking. Toward the end I prayed 7 simple words not even completely conscious that I was doing it, “Give us the opportunity to bless someone today.”
I closed the prayer and released my children to dive into their cereal while I reached for a coffee cup. A few normal hours passed as I cleaned the house, broke up fights, changed diapers, and kissed boo-boos. Then the phone rang. Someone needed my help.
My first reaction was to try to think of all the things that I genuinely needed to do with my time. I always have a lot on my list. I am perpetually adding more than I can legitimately do and always forgetting those things when I have a down moment until the time has run out. It’s a life cycle and I’m working on it but this day was no different.
I agreed to help out and hung up the phone. I was tempted to grumble in my heart but the sweet Spirit interceded. The prayer from my rushed, caffeine free morning, filled my mind and it was as if I was being asked, “How can you be upset when the Lord answers your prayers?”
I stood in my kitchen and chuckled. “Okay, Lord, I asked for this. Help me to be a blessing.”
How the Lord has Answered that Prayer
That was a few months ago and I can honestly say that prayer has impacted my daily life in a huge way. Nearly every day over breakfast or lunch I ask the Lord to make us a blessing and He does.
Someone will call needing a ride, a meal, or a babysitter. My children will mention that they want to make something for a person at church or in our family and we find out later that person needed the encouragement. My husband will ask if we are free to have someone over for dinner. I’ll see flowers in our yard and know who we should give them to or think of someone I simply need to call.
I still plan my days way too tight. Ask anyone. I’m hopelessly busy because I always think I can do more than I can. It’s a problem. Slowly though the Lord is teaching me to be ok with inconvenience, to be open to how He wants to direct my days, to think of the people in front of me more than the to-do list on my countertop.
As God has been faithful to answer my half-hearted early morning prayer, He has been at work to change me. My home has legitimately been transforming into a launching pad for ministry, my goals for the day have legitimately been changing to who I can bless.
It has also been a tremendous gift to see how God has used this in the lives of my children. They are gaining excitement for finding ways to be a blessing to others and see how God answers our prayer. What a beautiful lesson!
God delights to answer the prayers of His people (Proverbs 15:8) – even when they are only whispered in the early morning without thinking.
How has God been answering your prayers? How do you encourage ministry from your home?
If you are looking for a fantastic resource about prayer check out this podcast from Risen Motherhood!
Check out more on the RaRaLinkUp Party!
Love that prayer and how sweetly God has answered it. I ask Him this often, too. And you’re right- it’s usually inconvenient in some way. But well worth it to be available to God instead of just sticking to what I think is best. Thanks for this, sharing!
Amen! The inconvenience turns into such a blessing! Thank you for your thoughts!
Hi Katie, I love this little prayer! I’m going to add it to my routine. Its in being used that we experience value – being able to reach out and help others. Love this!!!
Thanks for linking up!
That is so true!! Thankful God often uses us to do his work of blessing others!! and so glad this post was a blessing to you today! Thank you for hosting 🙂
What a great prayer to pray with your kids. Then for the Lord, to actually bring situations along that show you and your children how He is answering your prayer and how He is blessing so many others with your generous spirit. Thank you for being an example of unselfishness and trust. Great post. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Thank you for your kind words!! It is a tremendous blessing to see how the Lord answers our prayer and I pray it will leave an impact on my children!
What a great way to lead your children into a life dedicated to service!
That is my sincere prayer!
God calls us to love and to serve others but I think we as Christians (I do at least) forget that our relationship with Christ is not just about us, but ultimately the kingdom. Thank you for your words.
That is so true!!! Focusing on ourself in every area is a problem for all of us! It is grace that we are called to more!
Isn’t it interesting the things that come out of our mouths during a prayer that we never intended?! How wonderful that your children not only heard the prayer but saw how God presented an opportunity and you fulfilled it! What a blessing!
Definitely such a blessing!
That’s a great prayer! I’ve been praying something similar lately–asking God to help me be attentive to how I can love and serve others throughout my day.
What a great prayer!! Love that God is so faithful to answers those cries!
Katie, I sincerely told an acquaintance of many years after her husband dropped dead that I wanted to be her friend. Today this prayer has been answered. She is in need of a calming influence. Jesus in me is what she needs! Join me in prayer for Anne. I’ll spend time with her early next week too.
Will pray along with you! Keep me updated!
Such a convicting post! I, too, frequently want to get too much done and need to find more joy in the little “inconvenience” God brings my way. Thanks for sharing.
We are in that together for sure! I’m so glad God has better plans than we do!