Grace Understood

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3

I’ve been reading a book about praying scripture over your children. There have been many stories of parents and grandparents who have prayed for their children even before they were born and the outcome of those mighty prayers is inspiring. Most have been believers their entire lives and have lived what seems to be the model christian life.

That is a wonderful thing, but I found myself feeling a bit insecure and had a difficult time relating to their stories. Many times, while reading them, I wished that I had known Christ earlier and that I would have known how to pray scripture over my sons and husband when we first believed.

I also remembered attending a Women of Faith conference in the early days of my walk with Christ and feeling the same way. I wondered about those of us who didn’t grow up knowing the Lord. Those of us who strayed and lived wordly lives. Those of us who missed praying for our young children and family members. Those of us who believed later in life. Perhaps some circumstances would have turned out differently. Only God knows. Then I realized that those thoughts were being used by the enemy as an attempt to discourage me.

If you’ve every felt the same way, well I have a message for you. The truth is that we know God now! Praise The Lord! We know what life is like without Him, and that knowledge only intensifies our prayers for our loved ones now. Our hearts are desperate for them to know Christ and our prayers come from a place of grace understood. Our testimonies and prayers are powerful, have purpose and will make a difference.

The bottom line isn’t about how long we’ve been a believer, it’s that we made the choice to follow Christ when He called. Follow Him well. Follow Him completely and passionately. Regardless of whether you’ve followed Him from a young age or not until you were full of years, you are His! A treasured Daughter of The King.