Women Who Pray Influence the Future

Last week, a small core of six praying women met for the last time for this school year. Nearly every Thursday throughout the year, these women faithfully got together to go over the burdens and needs of the Christian school their children attended. I had the privilege of joining them, running straight over to teach second-grade PE, usually before they were done praying individually.

This morning, as I read Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1-2 again, I was reminded just how powerful prayer is in the lives of God’s people. This one woman changed the course of her nation and brought revival in a time when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”  

Hannah had carried her longing for a child deep in her heart for years, but one day the deep longing became a prayer and a vow. If God gave her a son, she would give him back to the Lord as God’s servant. 1 Samuel 2 records her praise at the occasion of following through with her vow. She did not feel deprived of a son when she left him at Priest Eli’s home. She thanked God for fulfilling His plan in her life.

I guarantee Hannah did not stop praying when she dropped her child off to serve God. Her life continued to influence her son long after she was a daily part of his routine. As E.M. Bounds noted, “It was no wonder he (Samuel) developed into a man of prayer. We could not have expected otherwise with such a beginning in life and with such early environments. Such surroundings always make impressions upon children and tend to mold character and determine destiny. “(Obtaining Answers to Prayer, chapter 9, “Raise Your Children for God”).

I daresay it was often a sacrifice for the women of our school’s prayer group to meet together weekly. However, I often witnessed the dramatic results of those prayers in our school. The softening of hardened hearts, the spiritual fruit of decisions made, and the grace and wisdom teachers needed in the moment of frustration with students happened over and over again. If there was ever a need for more praying parents, it is in the age of “every man doing that which is right in his own eyes.” We give far too little time to the greatest need in our families, schools, churches, and in our nation. We have far too many Bible studies and conferences and far too little time spent learning to more effectively pray to the God who can change hearts and bring true revival. This thought has challenged me to make prayer the priority of my life above all else. As one of the dear moms reminded me last week, “It is not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6). He wants us to bring our needs and requests to Him. He has already promised to answer when we call out to Him. Like Hannah, we need to be the conduit of prayer that works far into future generations. We need more women who pray.

“If more children were born of praying parents, brought up in direct contact with the house of prayer, and reared in prayer environments, more children would hear the voice of God’s Spirit speaking to them. They would respond more quickly to those divine calls to a religious life.” –E.M. Bounds

I would love to hear what has shaped and aided you in your prayer life. What would help you to become a better prayer warrior? Would a prayer conference be something you would attend to learn how to better pray for others? Please share your thoughts in the comments section!

Have a blessed weekend!

Erica B.