Imperfect Prayers

Dinner time prayers are often imperfect. We don't look like any beautiful picture of a family you might see on Instagram. We are a blended family with a full schedule and we are not together every night so rhythm is out the window. Even if we are regularly offbeat, we still pray. Messy prayer time is still prayer time memories that my kids will have. 

Doubts creep into my mind sometimes that it isn't worth it or it won't matter later. It does. We are going to pray anyway. 

The kids sneak food when we close our eyes. 

Bickering between siblings. Tired from practice or a game.

They don't want to hold hands. We get creative. Fist bump. Elbows. Whatever it takes. 

We are still going to teach that God is our provider and we can pause and take a moment to give Him praise. 

On the way to school. On the way home from school. Before a vacation or long drive. Pausing a moment and saying a simple prayer aloud before we interact has been helping me reconnect to my Source. I put my hand towards the back before we leave and acknowledge our Father in Heaven and something I'm grateful for. If I won't see the kids for a few days, I ask protection on them. I ask for them to remember how much they are loved by God and me and that they can pray anytime. This reconnects me to God and reminds this anxious mama that the sovereign LORD has us in the palm of His hands. He will care for them and He will never leave me. 

I've been intentional to keep at least one hand open to God during prayer and worship. Growing up I'd hold so much inside. Now I am accepting that I can trust God. Even when its bad, He is good. When its ugly, He is glorious. He has always had me even when I felt lost. I can pray in my weakness and He will sustain me. 

If you think your prayers are messy or its not worth it. Its worth it. 

If you think it won't impact your family and your kids - it does impact them. God can work with us. He is capable and it may not be in our timing but He will use these prayers and the example. Prayer aligns us with our creator. Prayer is talking to Jesus as the song says. No better time to start. Start today.