Mother’s Prayer

Family picture taken December 1983

Dear Kids,

The following prayer with tears I prayed for you children and your children the last two days since I found it in The Baptist Vision, Volume 14, Issue 1, page 16. It is by Mrs. Charles Hill Love, 19th Century Pastor’s Wife.

The sentiments expressed in this prayer go along with the message Dad brought to our little group last evening and also in his last Bible blog to you.

"Oh, Thou who hast been my God, my father’s God, my father’s father’s God, my mother’s God, my mother’s mother’s God; I come before Thee now to entreat Thee solemnly to be my children’s God. Thou, all-great Jehovah, and Thou canst save them. Oh, let Thine arms of mercy and love be constantly about them to preserve them from the follies of childhood, the dangers of youth, and the sins of maturer years.

"Thou knowest the anxieties of a parent’s heart, and Thou hast more than a parent’s love for all whom Thou takest into Thy care and protection. Oh, let my beloved children be some of those blessed ones whom Thou carriest in Thine arms, whom Thou leadest gently, whom Thou wilt watch over every moment of their pilgrimage below, and of whom at last Thou wilt pronounce, ‘of such is the kingdom of heaven.’

"Let Thy restraining grace be exercised toward them to protect them from evil dispositions, un-amiable tempers, disobedience, and all outward immoralities. May they love each other and their parents, and learn to take pleasure in denying themselves for each other and for the sake of all who may come within their reach. Preserve them from carelessness, laziness, wandering habits, and improper companions. And oh, great God, above all things, let Thy converting grace enlarge their hearts that their parents may have the unspeakable happiness of seeing them all follow the dear Savior; or, if their mother should not be allowed the blessedness of seeing this great change wrought upon them while on earth, may I be called to rejoice over it in the bright regions of eternal glory.

"Oh, my Savior, take my children into Thy care and keeping. I confess that I am not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies, much less am I worthy to ask Thee for so great favors, yet I would not be discouraged, for Thou hast said, ‘Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it,’ and I do trust that through the merits of the Savior alone Thy sovereign mercy may lay hold of my dear children, and that they may every one, spend their lives in Thy service. And oh, enable me to labor incessantly for their conversion, to pray without ceasing for them, and to endeavor by all the means in my power, to impress the truth of the gospel on their minds and to seek with all ‘earnestness that the Holy Spirit may impress those truths on their minds while they are young.’"

May God answer my sincere heartfelt prayer. Mom/Grandma