Family Habit # 3: What We Say Is What We Pray

DISCIPLING OUR CHILDREN

Discipling our children is one of the greatest privileges we have as parents.

Another way to refer to it is to use Paul's admonition to fathers to raise them "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

Regardless of what we call it, we are all called to do it. How we do it with our kids in our social/cultural context during this time in history is the bigger question we all must answer and live out.

IT IS HAPPENING

The reality is that we are discipling them whether we want to or not. Our children are being formed all the time, and they are either moving Godward or away from God. Remaining static is not an option, like telling a river to stop flowing.

They receive messages constantly as we all know. These come through social media, technology whether it be computer, TV, tablet, or phone, video games, street signs, bumper stickers, t-shirts, teachers, peers, and on and on.

FORMAL & INFORMAL

Although formal times are necessary and do have an impact, the deeper lessons are learned informally. This is why the ways we live out our faith in "second nature" ways is so impactful in the long run. Our habits show our kids and all those watching what is really driving us.

One way we can audit our days is by taking note of the things we do “without thinking about them”. These will stick with our kids even if they aren't aware of them.

Recently, I've been thinking about two habits that have been so encouraging over the years and have strengthened the faith of our whole family.

PRAYING FOR LOST THINGS

Whenever we can't find something, everyone prays for God to show us where it is. We are amazed (probably shouldn't be) how many times we have looked all over, can't find something, and then stop and pray, and then almost immediately find it in a place either we were sure we had checked or in a place that just came to mind after praying.

Just the other day I lost a wireless earbud. I thought I dropped it when I got out of the car, but after looking everywhere I gave up. The next day I looked in the car again and then around the driveway. Then I prayed (not sure why I didn't pray earlier?!) and turned around and there it was in the street. We had driven a couple of times since the day before, and I'm sure we had driven over that spot. Telling that story to the family, I received knowing looks that God did it again. This is a normal story for us.

This is a wonderful faith strengthener, but even more it makes God real in everyday life. We assume He is present and active, and we see Him work. This is so important in a world that constantly says the opposite.

PRAYING FOR SIRENS

The second prayer habit that is the natural outworking of recognizing God's immanent presence at all times is praying whenever we hear sirens. Sometimes at home but often when we are out and about, we will hear sirens either from police or other emergency vehicles.

Of course, these normally indicate danger and the only thing we can do to help is to pray. We pray for safety for those involved, for them to come to know Jesus, for wisdom and discernment to know how to respond, for them to arrive in time, and so forth.

This is another way to informally teach our kids that our lives reflect our faith. This is the most natural outworking of our faith. It is both important and powerful.

LIVE OUT LOUD

Both of these examples fall under the category of living consistently, which may be the most important thing we can do in raising our kids to see God as real and present. God is not just an idea we talk about on Sunday or during devotions, but we interact with Him throughout our days. These represent just two of many ways that this can be seen.

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