Daily Focus - The Real Deal

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

Seated with my children in the living room, we had just begun our homeschooling day with devotions. The morning had been hectic like usual, and I wasn't in the best of moods. No matter how hard I tried, the starting time for school seemed to be getting later each day. Feeling incompetent as a teacher and trying to make up for lost time, I quickly asked my children, "Is there anything we need to pray about?" Several needs were expressed by each of my young children, which I hurriedly wrote down. But as I started to pray, my son interrupted and asked, "Mom, what about you? Is there something you need prayer for today?"

As usual, his little emotional monitors had seen right through me and perceived my anxiousness and lack of sincerity. Nobody has time for a fake, especially children. Now was the time to admit the truth about what I was really feeling. "Yes, honey," I answered. "I need God to help me slow down and enjoy the day with you."

Exposing our hearts can be a struggle. Homeschooling parents think they have to be spiritually strong for the family and forget that sometimes the best prayer warriors in the family can be their own children. Although we must be careful to share appropriate prayer requests with younger children, their simple, trusting prayers might be the ones that encourage and bless us the most.

Living behind perfectly painted smiles and "I'm fine" responses isolates us from the love of others, including our children. Don't deny them the privilege of interceding in prayer for your needs. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous ‘child' availeth much" (James 5:16).

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You and thank You again for giving me such wonderful children. I truly am blessed to be loved by them and by You. Help me appropriately share my weaknesses and find strength today from their caring prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen.