While My Child is Away—Praying For Our Kids Isn’t Always Easy

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Today I’m deviating from the norm. I’m not posting specifically about writing, but about what led me to write my latest book, While My Child is Away, Prayers for When We’re Apart.

I've discovered that God uses the things I struggle with to bring comfort to others. It's not always an easy thing—sharing challenges—but I've learned by being transparent I disappear and God's power comes shining through. 

Prayer Doesn’t Always Come Easy

In spite of the fact that I now write books of prayers, praying didn’t always come easy to me. Early on my lack of prayer power didn’t bother me. It wasn’t until I began having children that the urgency hit. Then my prayer life became vitally important. I wanted to be the type of mom who prayed powerful prayers that protected her children no matter what happened.

I worried that my prayers weren’t good enough. Maybe I hadn’t spent enough time on thanksgiving or confession. Or perhaps I was saying things in the wrong order. Truthfully I was looking for a formula that would infuse my prayers with power enough to get God’s undivided attention on my child’s behalf.

Turns out that what I believed about my role in prayer was all backwards.

I was looking for power in my words, instead of focusing on the power of God. And I was forgetting that each of us has God’s undivided attention—always. He loves each of us, and more importantly to me, He loves each of my children even more than I do.

Even when I discovered the mistake in my thinking about prayer, I still wasn’t quite sure how to frame my prayers. Then I revisited one of my favorite passages in the Bible. So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11. That was what I needed to redirect my prayer life and get me on the right track.

That journey became While My Child is Away.

As you know, I rarely use this blog for any kind of direct promotion. I want to make sure that almost all the things I post fall under the heading of information. 

But today I'm breaking my rule and asking for your help. This Saturday, August 6, I'm having a big book signing at our local Barnes and Noble on Woodruff Road in the Shops at Greenridge. I'll be signing copies of While My Child is Away.

I need your help with sharing this information on social media. 

If you're near the Greenville, South Carolina area, I'd love for you to join me! Even if you're not, don't despair, I'm including you in the fun. To all those who comment on this post, telling me they shared this on social media, I'll add you to a drawing. I will cut off the comments on Friday, August 5 at midnight.

To sweeten the pot, I'm giving away a 2 $15 Barnes and Noble e-giftcards and 2 $15 Amazon e-giftcards. So there will be 4 winners in all.

Be sure to share this info through your social media and leave a comment saying you did. You don't have to leave a link or anything, we work on the honor system here!

Thanks & Blessings,

Edie

TWEETABLES

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