“In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my request before You and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)
A mother’s relationship with her offspring will tell you how very dear each and every one of them is to her. We generally attribute this quality to the birth pangs she endured during childbirth. However, there is more to it than meets the eye. A mother is more than a nurse, she has a listening ear, hears words that her child or husband does not utter; has an acute sense of perception, is attentive to body language and all the other facets that add up and enable her to perform her role as a woman, a wife and a mother. No wonder we say locally a mother does not have a duplicate. She is unique. God wired her that way. Nothing can change that.
She is the first to wake up and the last to go to bed. Not until she finishes with the household chores is that option considered. When we look closely at a woman, we wonder where she gets all that strength from to accomplish the number of things she is busy with in any given day. She is the pillar of her family or household with the fortitude to combine several roles into one. God identifies her as a helpmate, and a worthy one at that.
It is not difficult for someone to walk into a house and literally feel that the mother or the touch of a woman’s hand is absent. It is spontaneous with a mother. Needless to wonder why our children cling to them so fondly!
Whether we like it or not our mothers are assuredly the pillars on which our families rest. Understand therefore that whenever anything goes wrong mother is aware. In her physical weakness backed by exceptional moral strength, she turns to God for succour and relief to ward off the fiery darts of the enemy. She relies on her moral not physical strength; but most of all she looks to God who is the source of her strength - confident in the belief that she would hear her and grant her, her heart’s desire.
In the presence of the Lord she finds peace as a praying mother. She constantly stands in the gap for her wayward husband, her reckless son or daughter or when unexpected trouble comes because in her weakness she recognises her strength when she stares at her mountain. “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep...” (Psalm 121:1-3) She runs to Him for help, on bended knees, when all is not going well to make her humble appeal and when all is well to acknowledge her gratitude to the One “who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could hope or think of.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Mothers, pray for your children, the fruit of your wombs that God in His goodness will grant them favour; cover them with the blood of Jesus - that clothing of security that disables the evil forces at work in this world. The Bible teaches that “It is not by power or by might but by his Spirit,” (Zechariah 4:6) so that the mountains we face can be demolished. Do not stop praying because the devil has not stopped killing, stealing and destroying. (John 10:10) Do not lower your guard either; commit your requests and appeals – just any and everything - to the Lord, for He is not only able to save, but He is mighty to save.
Pray for their wellbeing. Our children are not and must not be seen as trees planted for shade as if to say we are just able to bear fruit. Pray instead that they may be fruit trees that would bear fruit, fruit that will last; that the evil one will have no power over them in these days when witchcraft and the occult are lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce on innocent blood in order to appease their masters.
Mothers carry kings and queens in their wombs; they carry men and women of valour and vessels of honour also. Raising them to be responsible citizens tomorrow does not rest on their shoulders alone. Husbands must not be in the background as providers only but must play their part as role models and burden-bearers as well. The load is heavy on our mothers, wives and sisters. All they require is that moral support, that presence to assure them that they are not on their own. Raising a child is a mutual responsibility and must not fall on her pair of shoulders only.
Prayer changes circumstances not God. Pray that God will constantly have His eyes on our offspring not until they are weaned or when they fly away, but always. The terrain becomes even more difficult as they endeavour to earn a living in a world fraught with challenges. God is not deaf to our appeals.
Parents must pray and not relent so that their children will not become prey of the evil one who is loose looking for someone to devour. Put on the whole armour of God and stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-17) God is able to protect them from harm’s way for He is our refuge and strength; an ever-present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) They need our constant prayers and upon that we should rely.
