USING THE WEAPON OF PRAYER TO PREPARE FOR WHAT IS COMING?

Watching families crumble as the world gets darker has caused me to look for answers on how to keep my family physically and spiritually alive. The morals in our society are falling ever so quickly; we have harmful drugs prescribed as medicine, murder is committed in the name of preserving women’s rights, gambling—which just a few years ago was illegal—is now called ‘gaming.’ What was forbidden by law for generations is now accepted: easy divorce, adultery, homosexuality, etc.  As a mother, I have a fear that we are not strong enough to withstand the fiery darts that are being thrown our way.

I thought I would share an experience that has recently left an impact on me and given me a sliver of hope. It even gave more meaning to our blog title: Passing Down the Faith.  After years of watching Christian Persecution movies, I have found one thing in common amongst them all—prayer. Those heavily persecuted or tortured in the name of Jesus Christ used prayer as a tool to stay alive and to keep their faith with others. They used it to create trust amongst themselves as they united.  Brother Yun (The Heavenly Man), when visiting the West, said no one knows how to pray. He said our churches are dead, our pulpits have no fire, and no one knows how to carry burdens as commanded in scripture. No one is sharing these burdens with each other due to fear, judgment, and shame. And because of this, the Gospel is not being lived.

EVERYONE LOVED THE IDEA

There was one scripture that came to my mind as I thought about praying as a family. In the Bible, it talks about how God will answer the prayers of just two people who believe and who will pray for “anything” in agreement together. This is absolutely breathtaking. When two believers pray, God will do anything they ask.

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

So as parents, we felt that inspiration to gather as the Christians do, and try holding a specific prayer meeting for the needs of our family and to see if God would really answer all of us as we prayed together. We shared with our children what Brother Yun said about the Western churches. We shared how we needed to strengthen our family and have a place that is designed to really draw on the power of heaven and to build trust amongst us on a deeper level. If we were true believers then we needed to believe His power would protect our home. After presenting the idea to our family, I was shocked that everyone loved the idea and was on board with it. We decided that every first Sunday we would do this together—grandchildren included.  

SHE LIFTED UP MY SCARF AND SMILED

I really did not know what to expect from my family, or if this would be so extremely awkward that we would never do it again. We began with a song and then we went around the room—and everyone shared the burdens or desires they wanted help with. In the early days of the Church, people would even share their sins openly, and that is exactly what a few in my family did. A few expressed weakness and what they were struggling with and openly asked for us to pray for them.  After going around the room hearing everyone’s requests, my husband then selected three different family members to pray— each taking a turn. The women and girls had an option to cover their heads if they wanted to. Scripture teaches that when praying, a woman ought to wear a head covering​—be it a hat, scarf, or head veil—​as “a sign of authority.” (1 Cor. 11:10) We decided to try this as we were earnestly seeking help for our family. We then knelt as a large family.

My husband asked if I would be one of those that would pray, and as I began, I leaned forward towards the floor. My 5 yr old granddaughter had chosen to cover her head with a pretty scarf. And kneeling right next to me leaned forward likewise—copying everything I was doing. When I came to her and her needs and began praying specifically for what she had asked for—for her fears to go away—she lifted up my scarf and smiled at me, and I in return smiled back at her. This was the moment I felt that power of carrying someone’s burden come alive within me. It was a moment when I felt my faith was being passed down to the next generation. 

SHOULD WE NOT BE BUT STEPPING STONES

William Bradford said it beautifully when he spoke about the role of a multi-generational family. Not many individuals realize that although the Pilgrims left England because of religious persecution, they actually left Holland to protect their children from ungodly influences. In risking the lives of their children as well as their own, it is clear that they valued the spiritual safety of their children over their physical safety. William Bradford boldly proclaimed that these families were willing to sacrifice their lives, if necessary, “even though they be but stepping stones” for future generations of Christians [their posterity] they would never meet.

As a Christian parent, I must risk everything to safeguard my current and future posterity and to have the ability to infuse them with the godly virtues I hold so dear. I chose to do this through prayer, that not only will burdens be lifted, trust and relationships strengthened, but that God’s power may be shown to my family.