Timely Tips on Tuesday: Fasting and Praying for your Children

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:6-7

9) Fast and pray for your children (and your husband). It’s only by God’s grace that anyone raises Godly children. We need to be literally on our knees often. If you've never fasted before, do some research first. Study Scripture.  Read a good book on fasting and prayer. Go to one of the many websites, and read tips on the subject of fasting and prayer.

Once you have decided to start, you might choose a day of the week to set aside as your "day of fasting and prayer".  For a number of years, Monday was mine. As your children get older, they can handle most of the household duties by themselves while you are off in your room praying.  Then you will be free to do only what you must. Consider school as a lesser priority that day.  Give your children their assignments and just check on them periodically.  If they're older, let them know you don't want to be disturbed except in the case of an emergency (I defined this as, "Don't interrupt me unless you see blood!")

Three suggestions when considering a fast:

• Start with skipping one meal, if a whole day or days, seems too much. 
• Schedule leftovers for dinner, use a meal from the freezer, or have one of your children cook on your fasting day (or let the kids and your husband enjoy cooking together, if your husband would like that).
• Trust the Lord to give you strength while fasting. Fasting and prayer are important. God changes things when you fast and pray. God changes you!

It’s so good for your children to see you spending dedicated time in prayer on a regular basis, and making this sacrifice.  It's especially good for them to know that you’re praying for them.  And remember that Jesus said, “When you fast” (not if you fast).
(*Please remember to check with your doctor, if you have a medical condition, before starting a fast.)

Here is a book I found online by Andrew Murray, a favorite author of mine, on the subject of prayer (click on Contents to view):