Before the Throne Wednesday

Welcome to the first Before the Throne Wednesday!  I'm so glad you stopped by today!  Of all the things of which I tend to get anxious, my three kiddos seem to top the list.  Yesterday was a prime example.  JennaBeth (my two year old) and I had a somewhat challenging day.  I won't go into details, because today is a new day and I'm so very thankful that God's mercy and grace are NEW EVERY morning!  But back to that issue of anxiety; God's word speaks to us clearly about the best place to put our anxieties:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

There are some pretty all inclusive words used in this passage:  anything and everything.  We are encouraged to NOT be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHING to present our requests to God by prayer ("proseuche" in the Greek - general word for all kinds of prayer) and petition ("deesis" in the Greek - supplication, request, prayer for particular benefits) with thanksgiving.  John Calvin in his commentary on Psalm 18:3 says this:

"We will never freely call on God in prayer unless we also encourage ourselves with memories of His grace."

And finally consider this statement by E.M. Bounds:

"God's conquering days are when the saints have given themselves to mightiest prayer."

So, today I want to encourage you as a parent or grandparent to NOT be anxious about your children, but to join me in this journey of presenting our prayers and petitions on their behalf to God while remembering His grace lavished on us daily.

Something in me wants to burst out in the children's Sunday School song "I'm in the Lord's Army" right about now!  How about you?

Blessings,