Many times as a mom I form my prayers out of the frustrations that I feel when I don’t know how to parent the right way…Yeah, I’m #ThatMom. I have a strong-willed child who regularly gives me a run for my money. So often I find myself repeating to the Lord, “fix it…”. The question is: What do I want to be fixed at that moment?
Recently, I have been considering prayer and all of the different facets it encompasses. Prayer can be a funny thing, in that it is sometimes surface and quick, intensely emotional, or an allusive thought that words can’t describe. I believe that scripture and prayer are the central keys to raising a child and are the foundation for building a healthy family.
I don’t believe there is such a thing as praying the wrong prayer, but I do believe there is such a thing as not knowing what you want and just hoping that it all works out for the best. When Jesus walked the earth doing miracles, he would often ask the person He was ministering to, *”What do you want?”, or “What do you want Me to do for you?” This concept challenges me to become aware of what I am requesting.
I don’t think it’s wrong to allow my worries to float away to heaven as soon as the words flow through my mind, but sometimes I’m wondering if Jesus would like to walk me through my request and help me identify the root of my need instead of tuning out my problems with a prayer.
I’m learning that when Jesus said, “What do you want?” He wasn’t making himself available as a lucky rabbit’s foot; He was making himself available as a friend.
Who said i was lucky anyway?
He was saying, “I want to know what is affecting you emotionally, physically and spiritually.” I believe that He was asking for us to become aware of the thoughts that are racing inside our minds.
So often, my young daughter will become frustrated when playing with her toys since she is still developing her fine motor skills. Many times she will come to me with a toy in her outstretched hands and demand with jabbering words, “fix it”. I will stop what I’m doing and take a moment to show her the correct way to use the toy step-by-step. Like my daughter, do I give my problems to God saying, “fix it” when I should sometimes say “teach me how”?
“Dear God, Please fix my favorite dolly. Mommy washed her and she hasn’t been the same since.”
I loved that when Jesus said, “what do you want me to do?” He was giving that person the option to be a part of the resolution. He wasn’t taking the situation out of their hands; He was allowing them to have the choice in how it would resolve. Another way to think about it is as if Jesus were saying “how would you like this to end?” or “what do you want the results to be?” For me, this question takes away the flippancy that I sometimes feel when it comes to prayer. I’m learning that the ability to make my requests known to God is precious. I’m also learning that when He says, “what do you want me to do” doesn’t’ mean He is taking the situation out of my hands but allowing me to be present with the resolution.
So here is the challenge: Stop asking God to fix it. Instead, ask Him to show you how; And likewise, hear the voice of God that says;
1) What do you want Me to do?
2) I want to be a friend to you as you parent your children
3)What do you want the result to be?
4) We are going to do this together!
Philippians 4:6 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
*Matthew 20:21, Matthew 20:32, Mark 10:36, Mark 10:51, Luke 18:41
