Saturday Devotion and Prayer – May 13, 2023

                     Saturday Devotion and Prayer. May 13, 2023
             “For Mothering Grieving and Traumatized Children”

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26

When we hold that brand new baby in our arms for the first time, our hearts ache as we desperately want to protect them from the world’s darkness. We want to shield their precious eyes, ears, and bodies from anything that could harm them. We pray fervently for God’s hand of protection to follow them throughout their lives. We pray for them as they lay down and watch them grow.

We teach them about Jesus and His care for us. We want them to truly understand the peace that can come when life gets hard. And then tragedy strikes. Sickness, death, divorce, and traumatic events strive to claim their lives and their peace. Darkness throws into the fire with our babies as we navigate dire circumstances for us and our children. But Jesus is still with us in this.

My ex-coworkers husband passed away from cancer when her precious boys were five and seven years old. It was shocking, traumatizing, and life-altering. She had to not only navigate her grief but try and love her boys through a life that no longer included their daddy. She had to nurture their confused and breaking hearts, often setting aside her struggles to make sure they knew they were loved and cared for as their hearts were breaking in a way they didn’t understand.

Death is permanent and difficult for anyone, especially small children, to wrap their heads around. She relied on the strength of the Lord to help her walk through all the tear-filled and snuggled-up talks. She asked Jesus to be with her as she tried to explain the reality and finality of death gently. She took them to therapy, where they could learn to express their anger and sadness in healthy ways—all the while trying to pursue a new life as an only parent, trying to keep her head above water.

She needed Jesus more than ever in those hard weeks, months, years, and even today, and He was there, just like He promised. I can see how God’s hand played a part in all the connections with others, healing moments, and eventual acceptance of their new way of life. It has been almost a decade since those dark days, but she still needs the help of Jesus as she now has to navigate parenting teenage boys who lost their daddy.

A friend once told me the Holy Spirit is our best resource as parents. God promises He is here to help us in our times of need.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26

When we struggle to help our children, we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us strength and understanding for anything they are going through.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us with our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26

Holy Lord,
I come to you with a breaking heart today. I understand the child you have placed in my care is a precious gift from you. I know and believe you love him even more than I ever could. You only want good things for him; however, I understand we live in a fallen world full of heartache and pain. You did not promise a trouble-free life, but you did promise that you have overcome the world and are with us. (John 16:33)

I surrender my child to you today. I ask that you take him, nurture him, and protect his heart. As he is hurting and traumatized by life events, I ask that you hold him in your arms and give him peace. I ask that you give him the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6) I know and believe you have the power to overcome the darkness and pull him from the pit of despair. (Psalm 40:2) Give me the courage, understanding, discernment, and knowledge. I know and believe you are in all things and know all things. You know the ins and outs of our suffering and what we need to overcome. Please equip me to mother my child in your will, timing, and strength. Thank you for the precious gift of my child. In Your son Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.