Written by Jordan Stoker
The Lord was good to me.
I did not get perfect parents. They did not get a perfect daughter (anyone?) I always knew
they wanted God's very best for me, though. I heard that and I visibly saw it.
One way was my mom started leading a Mom's prayer group (called Moms In Touch International) when I was in high school. Every Monday morning my mom plus 3 or 4 of my friends' moms would gather at our dining room table. My mom called it Moms In Touch. I called it super inconvenient (I mean, was I expected to get my own jeans from the dryer??) and somewhat embarrassing ("Jordan's mom is like super religious").
Without fail, those moms met. Sometimes just 2 of them, because of illness or other unexpectancies. I never knew what they prayed specifically about. Honestly, I never really cared to ask.
I just noticed, and I never forgot the image of those moms praying together.
Fast forward through college, getting married, and moving to Nederland. I was attending the Women's Bible Study at FBC Nederland and I heard an announcement about MITI (Moms In Touch International, which is now called Moms In Prayer), I was immediately attracted to it. I had my own school age kids now, and I wanted to be a part.
I was so nervous (even though Nita Hughes, who was the facilitator, was and still is one of the gentlest spirits I know) but I felt a connection right away with the other moms. I went a few times and the next year my kids started public school one in 2nd and one in Kindergarten.
Three or four of us met, and I cried through the whole prayer time. It hit me square on that these were the same verses and similar prayers that were prayed over me by my own mom. God's mercy nearly knocked me out. I realized wholeheartedly that the prayers of my mom's prayer group had been heard. All the poor choices, ugly situations, people I had associated with came pouring into my mind.
He was showing me that I had been spared; perhaps by a debilitating car crash, disease, teen pregnancy, or possibly even death. Maybe, but most importantly I believe I had been spared of a life apart from Him.
All these things were specifically prayed for week after week, and I am a living testimony that "..the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). I am so glad I didn't get what I deserved (and still deserve).
I am so thankful for my prayerful mom.
I am not a praying expert.
I'm just a mom with a desire to have God's very best for her children, just like my mom.
I think you can relate.
I want you to know that there is a small group of us that meets every week to pray specific prayers for our children and their schools. I want you to know that we do not meet on Monday mornings while our kids get ready for school (yikes! I guess Monday mornings were different way back then). We would like you to join us. We meet for an hour or less. We strictly pray. It's confidential, and we take that very seriously.
We meet at FBC Nederland in the Education Building.
Room 108
Sundays @ 6:00
Wednesdays @7:00
We recognize it is a privilege to pray with moms, especially when it's about our most treasured "possessions."
I truly believe there should be many Mom in Prayer groups in our area. If it doesn't work out for you to come to ours, start your own.
You can do it, and you and your family will be blessed.
(www.momsinprayer.org is a great resource, but I am sure there are others)
I want to end by doing a little exercise together - insert your child or children's' names in the blanks below............
May the God of hope fill ___________ with all joy and peace as he/she trusts in You, so that ____________ may overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
(Romans 15:13)
May_________be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. May he/she put on the armor of God so that he/she can take his/her stand against the devil's schemes.
(Ephesians 6:10-11)
Now, go back and insert the children of someone else.
That's the heart of Moms in Prayer.
Be blessed,
Jordan
About Jordan: Jordan is the mom of four fabulous kids and she's a coach's wife. One of the things that amazes me about the Stoker family is their devotion to being at church; even every Sunday during busy football season. She has a warm smile the size of Texas even though she's from Iowa. She's one of the first people I text when I have a prayer need. When she says she's going to pray for me, I believe it! She's a beauty; from her gorgeous long locks to her compassionate heart. I love this lady like a sister.
Please consider writing something for our "A Thursday for Your Thoughts" segment. On second thought, don't consider it. Just do it. Knowing how you've overcome a struggle or hearing how God has blessed your family is such a joy for our readers. Have a good recipe? Share it. Is there a must-read book you'd like to tell us about? We've had nine year old writers and writers from the Pacific Northwest; everybody's qualified to share. All you have to do is send me your writing on email. Pictures are great, but not necessary. Others will be blessed and you will be too. I'll be checking my email.
kristiburden@gmail.com