Before We Play, We Pray.

I do it every May.

Before the kids can even set down their backpacks from the school year, I am already mapping out “The-Most-Incredible-Summer-EVER”…

VBS Reservations, Music Camps, Baseball Clinics, Drawing Lessons, Pool Playdates, Road Trips, etc.

All of it – already on the books. And, honestly, even more.

But this morning, the Lord says, “Hold your horses there, little mama. We’ve got bigger fish to fry first.” {He said it in a John Wayne voice, too.}

Before we play, we must pray.

This morning, I encourage you to map out your summer in prayer.

Summer is sacred time with our kids. Although somedays I may want to chuck their beach towels out the van window and send them all to their rooms with no Popsicle.. their punishment for driving me to clinical insanity… I instead want to view these days as they truly are — gifts of grace.

If we can view long days of sunlight as more time to invest in our little monkeys and spiritually shepherd them to the Sonlight Himself, t-h-e-n we’ve got us The-Most-Incredible-Summer-EVER.

The past couple of weeks I have simply made a page in my journal titled, “Summer Prayers & Verses For My Boys.” Fancy, right?

And as I have been reading Scripture, the Lord has illuminated some verses designated for this page. Simple verses to read and pray over the hoodlums (and over myself).

I encourage you to do the same… or you can use mine. Either way.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Colossians 2:2-3 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Ephesians 6:4 [Parents] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Psalm 133:1,3 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Also, I am taking one kiddo at a time, and specifically addressing their needs in prayer. Maybe the Lord shows me a verse just for that child. Create a separate page for each one and allow the Lord to reveal His heart for them. Where do they need more grace? More boundary? More attention? Etc.

And then, while you’re at it, create a page for yourself. Because if history repeats itself, I am going to need extra grace this summer, too. Extra prayer for the days when I’ve heard one “toot” noise too many.

Kick-off summer on your knees and allow the Lord to draw up His agenda for the next 78 summer days.

Not that I’ve counted.

Lord, thank you for the gift of Summer. Thank you for lazy mornings and chasing fireflies. Thank you for giving my family a season of rest and recharge. I pray you’d draw us ALL closer to you. Reveal to me Your heart for my family and guide me to places I need to press in prayerfully for my kids. They are each an entrusted gift from you. Let me steward this gift well, all summer long. I love you, Lord, and I ask your blessing on Summer 2015. In Jesus Name, Amen.