Ephesians TEA CUPP Prayer

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

I just love it when I find a prayer in the Bible that has parts from My TEA CUPP Prayers. Here is a beautiful prayer by the Apostle Paul for his Christian friends in Ephesus.

Thanks

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Exalt

¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

Petition

may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Understanding

¹⁸ the eyes of your understandingbeing enlightened;

Calling

that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Exalt

¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named,

Promise

not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Can you use Paul’s prayer as a model for your own prayers today? Pray along with Paul to Jesus, adding your own special prayer requests.

Just Ask!

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you askanything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14 (NKJV)

The other day we were talking with our good friends, Tom and Judy, after church. Tom mentioned one of his favorite verses from John, these verses above from chapter 14. Tom said, the verses don’t say, once you’ve got everything right, you will receive. They don’t say, once you’ve got your life in order, you will receive. They don’t say, when you say your prayers just so, you will receive. God’s Word says, ASK and you will receive. All we have to do is ASK. Just ASK! That’s what our petition time with Jesus is all about, asking Him. I’m now asking God with renewed hope today. My Jesus, be glorified in Your answers to my prayers.

Mealtime Pizzazz

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

T for Thanks: Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 1o7:1 (NKJV)

Today, for all moms who want to add some pizzazz to your mealtime prayers, I share with you my favorite graces to sing from summer camp. Enjoy these with your kids as you give thanks to Jesus for your food.

1. Be Present at our Table Lord
(Tunes: Traditional, Lone Ranger, Gilligan’s Island, Jeopardy, Flintstones, Popeye, Adam’s Family, etc.)
Be present at our table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless and grant that we
May feast in fellowship with Thee.
Amen

2. God Is Great and God is Good
(Tune: Flintstones)
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Oh,
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our food. Ya-ba-da-ba-do!

3. God is Great, God is Good
(Tune: Rock Around the Clock)
God is great, God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
We’re gonna thank Him in the morning, noon, and night.
We’re gonna thank our God cause He’s outa sight.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Chhhhh.

4. Morning has Come
Morning (evening, etc) has come
The board is spread
Thanks be to God
Who gives us bread. Amen.

5. Johnny Appleseed
Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need,
The sun and the rain and the apple seed,
The Lord is good to me.
And every seed I sow,
Shall grow into a tree.
And someday there’ll
Be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
The Lord is good to me.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

6. Praise Jesus, the Son of Man
(Tune: Popeye)
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
He died for us sinners,
He feeds us our dinners,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man –Amen
Toot! Toot!

7.Thank You Lord, for Giving Us Food
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Right where we are.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Right where we are. Amen.

8. Come and Dine
Come and dine, the Master calleth,
Come and dine.
You may feast at Jesus’ table anytime.
He feeds the multitudes,
Turns the water into wine,
Come and dine the Master calleth,
Come and dine.

9. In Back of the Bread
In back of the bread is the flour, and
In back of the flour is the mill, and
In back of the mill is the wind and the rain,
And the Father’s will.

10. Jesus is the Real Thing
(Tune: Coke Theme Song)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.
Those who come to Me will never go hungry.
Those who come to Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 – Jesus is the REAL THING!
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

The sun will always shine,
The birds will always sing,
As long as there is God
There’s always the REAL THING.
Jesus came down and died for our sins.
Now we thank you God as this meal begins.
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

11. Superman
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
For the friends that we meet.
For the food that we eat.
Thank you God for giving us food!
Swshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

12. Sesame Street
Son of Man, Guardian of the land.
Grant us strength to carry out your plan.
You do bless us as we say,
Thank you for this food today.
Thank you for this food today.

14. God has Created a New Day
God has created a new day
Silver and green and gold
Live that the sunset may find you
Worthy God’s gifts to hold.

15. Thanks be to God
(Tune: Windy)
Thanks be to God,
Creator Almighty.
Thanks be to God,
Who gives us this bread.
Thanks be to God,
The Spirit eternal.
Thanks be to God
Forever.

16. Bless Our Friends
(Tune: Edelweis)
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord and sit with us
May our talk
Glow with praise
May your wisdom surround us
Friendship and love
May they bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord
And sit with us!

17. Eagles’ Wings
And God will raise you up
On Eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of God
Make you to shine like the Son
And hold you in the palm
Of God’s hand.

18. Rubber Ducky
Rub-a-dub, dub, dub
Thanks for the grub
Yeeeeaaah, God!!!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Each day or meal, let a different family member choose the singing grace. After singing, that person may also lead a spoken grace. You will be teaching thankfulness and also helping your children be prayer leaders in your home.

…O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 (NKJV)

More Talking With God

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

My TEA CUPP Prayers are all about sitting down for TEA and a good talk with God. Some may wonder if it is okay to ask God questions, especially when He tells us to do something. Yes, it is okay! It is more than okay. God longs for us to talk with Him about everything…if we don’t understand, if we need clarification, if we have doubts.

I found a few more examples of this in my Bible recently. The first is from the Old Testament, when God told Samuel to anoint David as king. Samuel feared that Saul would find out and kill him (Saul being the first and a jealous king of Israel). The conversation with God and Samuel went like this…

First God spoke…

¹ Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

Then Samuel questioned…

² And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

The Lord replied…

But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”

Samuels did what God called him to do…

⁴ So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming…

God told him which son to anoint king…

And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

Samuel obeyed the Lord…

¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NKJV)

Another example of talking with God comes from the New Testament in the book of Acts. Saul went to Damascus to arrest the Christians. On the way he had a vision from Jesus and was blinded. God told Ananias to go to see Saul. But Ananias questioned God if this was a good idea, since Saul persecuted Christians. God re-assured Ananias that he should go.

Here’s how the conversation went..

God called Ananias…

¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

Ananias answered…

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

God explained the mission…

¹¹ So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ¹² And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

Ananias questioned…

¹³ Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

God encouraged Ananias…

¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Ananias did what God called him to do…

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:10-19 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: Even Mary asked the angel when she was told she would give birth to Jesus…“How can this be so?” Is God calling you to do something? Ask Him questions today, and then, let us respond as Mary did, “Let it be to me according to Thy Word.” Luke 1:38 (NIV)

Beyond Jabez

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Do you remember the popular book by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson entitled “The Prayer of Jabez?” Dr. Wilkinson encouraged us to pray Jabez’ simple prayer as found in the Old Testament.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)

Many churches and individuals posted this prayer where they would see and pray it often, hoping for the blessings and life free from pain that Jabez received from the Lord.

I still pray Jabez’ prayer every now and then, but I go beyond Jabez. I’m challenged to use all God’s Word in prayer. Throughout the scriptures are other prayers and petitions, just as powerful as that of Jabez. So, why stop at Chronicles?

Let’s also pray these petitions from…

Nehemiah in Nehemiah 1:6 (NIV) “Let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes be open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night.”

David in Psalm 13:1 (NKJV) “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me??

Isaiah in Isaiah 33:2 (NIV) “O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

Daniel in Daniel 9:19 (NIV) “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay…”

I encourage you to go beyond the prayer of Jabez, searching your whole Bible for prayer starters for pouring out your heart to God. Underline them, highlight them, write them on note cards for your bathroom mirror or the steering wheel of your car. Go beyond Jabez and use all God’s Word in prayer!

“…So is My Word that goes out from my mouth it will not return to Me empty, it will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

TEA CUPP Tools

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

...be prepared in season and out of season... 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

You want to get started with My TEA CUPP Prayers, but how should you begin? First, know you can pray to Jesus anytime and anywhere without any special tools. However, to get you motivated for a daily routine at home, begin by collecting your “tools.” Just having everything you need at hand, will make your TEA CUPP time go smoothly. Here are the TEA CUPP tools I recommend…

Bible...God's Word

Bible…God’s Word…This is a must-have! God will speak to you through His Word. Select a Bible that is best for you. When I first started reading my Bible each day, I chose a One-Year Bible to keep me on track. It was the Living Translation version which was much easier for me to read. After a few years with that Bible, I tried a New International Version One Year Bible. Since I was already in a daily routine, I was able to handle a more challenging version. Then one year I found a daily Bible reading plan, so I was able to use a regular Bible, and I chose the New King James Version. It was a good challenge for me. Pray for God to show you just the right Bible to bring to your TEA CUPP time.

Book Mark…Prayer List…This can be just a folded sheet of paper you keep in your Bible with the names of all the people for whom you want to remember to pray. I like to divide mine up into the days of the week, as my list gets too long. Every few months I’ll make myself a fresh book mark as the prayer needs change.

Book Mark Prayer List

Prayer Journal

Prayer Journal…If you are having your TEA CUPP time at home (not while driving in the car), a journal is a great idea. The journal keeps you focused as you pray. It is harder for your mind to wonder if you are writing your prayers. You can chose a fancy bound journal or a simple spiral notebook. I prefer the spiral notebook, because I can fold it open flat. They are also inexpensive and I tend to use them quickly. But if you are more inspired by a pretty journal, go for it!

Pens…yes, more than one! Some days I’m sure it is satan who makes the ink run out of my pens! He just loves to interrupt my prayer time. So, if I have more than one pen, I keep on writing and praying, even if one runs out of ink. I prefer the Pilot G-2 pen with it’s smooth fine tip. You can use your pens for journaling, as well as underlining favorite Bible verses.

Good Pens

TEA CUPP or Mug

TEA CUPP…of course! You don’t have to have something to drink, but why not?! I often just have a cup of hot water. I like a big mug I can hold on chilly mornings, but I always imagine it is a dainty TEA CUPP I am sharing with Jesus. Pick your favorite CUPP and get ready for TEA TIME!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Today gather all your TEA CUPP tools together and put them in a special spot in your home, perhaps by your favorite chair. Designate this as your quiet time spot. When your family sees you sitting there, they will know you are having TEA with Jesus.

Saying Good-Bye to Butterscotch

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

In His hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10 (NIV)

Butterscotch the Cat died February 1, 2011 at 3 p.m. in our ten-year old son Kevin’s arms. He was just 3 1/2 years old.

Butterscotch was Kevin’s best friend. Every morning Butterscotch would come in from the garage and go straight to Kevin’s bed to curl up under the covers with him until breakfast. Every afternoon, Butterscotch would hang out on Kevin’s bed and watch Kevin build Legos. Kevin celebrated every birthday and half-birthday with Butterscotch, buying him cat treats and toys. Butterscotch might have been the most loved cat in the world!

At Christmas time Butterscotch started sleeping for hours and hanging out by the wood-burning stove. We took him to the vet twice. They diagnosed him with an auto-immune disease which was attacking his red bloods cells and a virus. They put him on steroids and antibiotics. Twice a day for a month, Kevin and his dad gave Butterscotch his medicine. This consisted of holding his paws from scratching, and popping pills down his throat. Poor Butterscotch! Poor Dad who was scratched!

Butterscotch’s last two weeks they also gave him sugar water to boost his energy. But Butterscotch just wouldn’t eat and drink on his own. He was such a sad sight to see, looking more like those Build-a-Bear animal skins, than a real live kitty. His last week he could barely walk. We moved his litter box and bed inside so he could be warm. Kevin slept on the sofa each night so he could be near Butterscotch.

The afternoon Butterscotch died, our oldest son Jacob and my husband Kent dug a grave for Butterscotch under the tree with the wooden swing where Kevin and Butterscotch spent many a summer day. It was 5 degrees and the sun was just going down behind the mountain when Kevin placed Butterscotch’s box in the frozen ground. Kevin helped cover the box with soil, and we put rocks on top. Kent said a prayer for Butterscotch.

Kevin now has two orange cats that will greet him in heaven, as he lost Jellybean during a 2006 forest fire evacuation. We plan to plant some orange and yellow flowers as a memorial in the spring.

Did we pray for Butterscotch? Oh, yes! Kevin loved him so much. At camp in the summer he would write Butterscotch’s name on a slip of paper for prayer at our Sunday praise service. In the fall he drew pictures of Butterscotch and started a card shop called, “Kevin’s Kat Kards.” When Butterscotch started to get sick, we prayed for him every night.

What did Jesus do with those prayers? I do not know. I know He heard us, but His answer wasn’t the one we wanted. We’ve had other cats disappear and we prayed for them to come back (Beany in 1998, Jellybean in 2006, Snicklefritz in 2009). We prayed for each cat for a year, and it didn’t return. I thought the not-knowing was the worst part. But watching a beloved pet shrivel up into skin and bones is just as traumatic. Why doesn’t God answer these prayers as we ask?

I don’t have answers. But I do know that Jesus comforts us. Kevin couldn’t do his school work for a few weeks after losing his kitty. But then he started doing school again and talking about a new orange kitty. Somehow the Holy Spirit comes and ministers to us in our deepest sadness and fixes the hurts that we can’t ever imagine going away.

I like to picture these pets in heaven. Jesus promises He loves the sparrows and all His creatures. I imagine they are running through a field of flowers, just waiting for their beloved owners to come to heaven, too. And when Kevin arrives in heaven, besides meeting Jesus, he will be tackled by at least two orange kitties who love him very much.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Matthew 10:29 (NIV)

Doodle TEA

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God Colored markers, drawing paper, my Bible and my TEA CUPP…what am I up to today? Doodle TEA!

Today I share with you a book that has blessed my prayer time. Recently I read “Praying in Color” by Sybil MacBeth. Just as My TEA CUPP Prayers offer you a new flavor of prayer, MacBeth gives us a refreshing splash of color as she shares her prayer method with the world. And I love it!

MacBeth, a math teacher by profession, has taken the God-given gifts of color for spending time each day in prayer with Jesus. Using artful language, such as “the stadium-seating of the 48 crayons in the Crayola box,” Macbeth draws me into her prayer world. She challenges us, saying it is okay to be childlike and to spend “almost every day coloring pictures with Jesus.”

Just as I set aside time and space for My Tea Cupp Prayers, MacBeth prepares a spot for her “Praying in Color.” She collects her drawing paper and markers and invites the Holy Spirit to join her. I thought I would try out MacBeth’s prayer method along with My TEA CUPP Prayers one day, and found it to be an inspiring change of pace.

I had already journaled my THANKS verse and prayers, so I started doodling with the EXALT section. My EXALT verse that day was…

To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:25 (NIV)

So in my prayer journal, in a sunburst doodle, I wrote God’s attributes from this verse (glory, majesty, power, etc.) as rays coming out from a center of EXALT. I pondered His glory as I colored in the sunburst, praying for God to be glorified that day.

For my ADMIT section, my verse was…

“Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples. Luke 8:25 (NIV)

The perfect verse for me, since I’m so strong on prayer, but continue to worry. I drew a cross and “nailed” my sins to it with blob words like “doubts,” “worries,” “losing heart,” etc. I asked Jesus to wash it all away and make me new and full of His Holy Spirit.

My CALL section began with the verse…

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NKJV)

I drew my five-finger plate, and each thing God calls me to do on a finger. In the palm I drew a big heart, asking God to help me do each activity with love. Such a visual display of my prayers, were images I could carry with me throughout the day.

Skipping ahead to my PETITION prayers…doodling gives me so many new ways to journal my prayers of intercession for others. My PETITION verse that day was…

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9 (NIV)

I drew a big cross for Jesus, and wrote the names of all my family around it, that no one could separate us. The next day I had even more fun praying and doodling, writing my family members inside hearts, with their prayer needs around the hearts. For those in need of jobs and homes, I drew a house and wrote all their names inside. For those in need of healing and comfort, I drew a big hand labeled “God” and wrote all their names in the palm of His hand. And when the prayer requests came by email that day from our church, instead of being overwhelmed by the half-dozen emails, I doodled-prayed their names.

I thank the Lord for Sybil Macbeth and her “Praying in Color” book. I hope you will check it out yourself and be blessed as she draws you into her doodle prayers. Get your markers ready when you join Jesus for your next TEA CUPP time!

http://www.prayingincolor.com/praying.html/

Heaven and Airports

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16 (NKJV)

Heaven and airports. Arrivals and departures. Terminal illnesses and terminals. I wonder if others have pondered this connection while waiting in an airport terminal for loved ones? If it’s a light day, you can get a seat to watch the action. Otherwise, you may be standing to observe the tearful or joyful embraces.

Last August we put our daughter on a plane from Montana to Guam for her junior year of college. As we said good-bye, and watched others say farewell, there were plenty of tears (from others, not our brave daughter, of course). It seems that airports and funerals are two places it’s okay to show love and grief. Why do we display more emotions at these times than we do when sending someone off to work or school each morning?

If we knew it was the last good-bye, would we hold our friends and family closer when we depart? My testimony begins with a plane crash, and I never got to say good-bye to those on board. It was my college cross country team returning from the national meet. My two coaches, three team mates, the athletic trainer and pilot all died that icy November day in 1985. While their plane lay shattered in Des Moines, Iowa, the plane of my life continued to spiral downward as I questioned how God could let this happen. Two years later I gave my life to Jesus Christ, and I soared for Him again.

One of the many joys of being a Christian is knowing I will always see other Christians again. If I don’t see them here on earth, I will have eternity to visit with them in heaven. We live at a church camp where there are good-byes every week of the summer. Volunteers serve and become our friends, and then they depart. I am thankful that we will get to see these folks again in heaven. Perhaps Jesus will line up some of these great workers to help prepare houses for more people coming to heaven!

Four months after we put our daughter on that plane for Guam, we found ourselves at the airport again on a frigid December day. As we eagerly waited for our daughter’s return, I watched couples and families reunite. I thought of heaven and how loved ones will welcome us. Hugs, tears, slaps on the back, ruffling hair…all these say, “I love you!” I imagine our relatives there will be delighted when we finally reach heaven.

Our daughter, however, did not arrive on schedule. She was not on the one o’clock flight from Denver, or the two o’clock, or the three o’clock. With no cell phone, we didn’t know where she was or when she would land. A desk attendant said she wouldn’t arrive until the next day. I felt like crying. We waited for the four o’clock flight anyway, and guess what, at just a little before five o’clock our daughter appeared! After checking the faces of every blond girl that afternoon, we finally saw the face of our daughter!

I wondered if that could happen in heaven? Will we be dismayed when our loved ones don’t show up? God says He’ll wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be no more sorrow. So, will I be somber if my brother doesn’t pull in? I think there will be an empty spot in my heart, because Jesus desires that none should perish. While I’m still on earth, I’d better make sure my family knows they are invited, that they know Jesus and His salvation. I may be distressed when my family members depart from this earth, but I’ll be delighted when all my loved ones arrive in heaven, even if it is a day late.

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Pray without ceasing.
I Thessalonians 5:17

In Luke 15:11-31 we read the story of the Prodigal Son. I know this parable is an illustration of our Heavenly Father welcoming home His lost children. However, if I consider it as just an earthly family, I often wonder, “Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?”

Where was the Prodigal Son’s Mom? Was she mending clothes when she first noticed this son’s rebelliousness as a youth? Did she sit by his bedside every night and pray for him as he grew up? Did she often go without meals as she fasted for her son, pleading with God for him to give up his rebelliousness?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he asked his father for his share of the inheritance? Was she heartbroken, crying in the bedroom? Was she pleading with him not to go? Was she praying constantly for him to stay?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when he was squandering the money on wild living? Was she distressed by his friends who had led him astray? Was she begging God to watch over him? Was she longing to go and find her son?

Did people tell the Prodigal’s Mom not to worry, that her morals were too high, that all kids need to spread their wings? Did they make her feel like a failed mom for raising a rebellious son? Or, did they come to her and pray with her and claim God’s promises for her lost son?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when the son was feeding the pigs? As she fed her chickens, was she wondering what her son was doing? Was she praying and fasting again for her son to come home, day after day after day?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom when his father saw him coming at a distance? Was she right beside Dad, running to hug her long lost son? Was she in her room, praising God for His answers to prayer? Was she in the kitchen helping to fix the fatted calf for the celebration?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom during the party? Did she sit beside her son with joy? Did she comfort her other son who had stayed to work? Did she thank God over and over again for the safe return of her son? Did she ask God to forgive her son and wash away the scars from his journey?

Where was the Prodigal’s Mom?

Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear TEA Mom, as you complete your TEA CUPP journey, praying all the parts of prayer, meeting with Jesus each day for TEA, you may expect everything will go just right. But our children will still make their own choices. Our job is to keep praying for them. Please don’t give up. Be the Prodigal’s Mom. Keep praying, even if it takes decades until that child comes home to you and Jesus.

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:10 (NKJV)

LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for You.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)