DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
Many people pray for their families, but few pray with them. Yet, one of the greatest blessings a parent or spouse can experience is praying with their children and/or spouse.
My wife and I began our marriage praying with one another, and it’s continued for half a century. We’ve wept, laughed and worshipped together in prayer. We’ve seen God answer, and we’ve also learned to wait upon Him for an answer. Perhaps, the greatest blessing has been praying with our children.
When our children were small, we normally had an evening devotional time before we put them to bed. Those moments became occasions to tell Bible stories, share testimonies, and find out what was taking place in their lives. They were some of the most special times we had as a family.
Both our children dealt with issues in life that drove them to see their need for Jesus. A friend of our daughter died at a very young age. After our time of prayer and Bible stories, Renee asked one evening, “Can I talk to you?” She had drawn a picture of a little girl separated from God. She told us that she was afraid to die and wanted to have Jesus in her life. We prayed together, and God worked deeply in her heart. Our son went through a different kind of trial. He, also, asked to pray with us at the conclusion of one of those family prayer times. Those were precious moments for our family.
Praying with your family enriches your lives in several ways. First, it provides an opportunity for each member to share the difficulties and joys of life and bring those circumstances to God. It is easy for our lives to become so busy that we lose intimate communication with one another.
Second, it ushers us into the deepest and most meaningful moments. It may sound strange, but I’ve developed great friendships by praying with people. Prayer drives us to share the deepest needs of our hearts with God. As we pray with one another, it produces a level of authenticity. Genuine prayer demands transparent hearts. That kind of heart will experience the grace of God at the deepest level.
Finally, it sets an example for future generations. The greatest legacy that we can leave with our children and grandchildren is the prayers we have prayed for and with them. They may forget the material possessions we’ve given them, but the image of a praying mother or father will not be forgotten.
I had never met my grandmother or grandfather on my dad’s side of the family. They died before I was born. However, one day I learned that my grandmother was a great woman of prayer. She had a place in the forest where she sought God’s face. I wanted to see that place. Therefore, I contacted some older cousins who knew where it was.
They took me to the spot, and, for me, it was holy ground. I had an artist draw a painting of my grandmother praying as it had been described. I gave a copy of the painting to my son and daughter. I don’t want them to ever forget the wonderful heritage that we have as a family. Our greatest legacy will be praying for and with our children.
1 Samuel : Chapter 1
12) As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13) Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14) and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15) “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16) Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17) Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18) She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 19) Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 20) So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,[b] saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” Hannah Dedicates Samuel
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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