| The first Bible verse I taught my children was Philippians 4:13 (KJV), “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Little did I know that the biggest “thing” to raising children, especially African-American children, is to know how to pray. As a former teacher and race relations trainer, my role as a mom has kept me on my knees but joining Moms in Prayer has propelled me to new height in my prayer life. I was slow to join this powerful ministry due to my Martha Mentality. Balancing children, my husband’s career, an on-again, off-again consultant business, and even church activities had me too occupied.
Thank God for faithful praying female friends. One day I looked around and our two oldest children were in college trying to live victorious while our youngest was knocking on the door of puberty. My sweet friend Hazel invited me her Moms in Prayer group that had been meeting for years. It was a mixed group of Caribbean and white moms with kids in college. They prayed with me as though they had known my children from birth praying for their relationships, academic success, health and more. As a long time church worker, I was shocked at the specific prayers the women shared accompanied by scriptures. They came on a mission and believed Philippians 4:39 (KJV), “But my God shall supply all your need.”
Well, the Lord sent our family to Louisiana, and I joined a Moms in Prayer group. Once again, I was the only African-American mom in the group but it didn’t matter. As we moved through the Four Steps of Prayer, praising God, giving thanks, confessing, and interceding, it was evident that our hearts bled and rejoiced the same. Our tears and desires for our children were the same as we pleaded for God to protect, heal, purify, and guide them. I witnessed miracles and can testify to James 4:2 (KJV), “Ye have not because ye ask not.”
After two years, God has returned us back to North Carolina, but He has unified my heart with the women in Louisiana forever. Since returning, God used my relationships with those praying moms to spread the word about Moms in Prayer to moms whose children attend nearby African-American schools.
I encourage my sisters to consider joining Moms in Prayer. Our children are in need of intentional strategic prayer that is wrapped in God’s Word and power. Let’s come together to raise up a generation of God’s children who stand on Ephesians 3:22 (NIV), “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
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