Prayer Points: On Wandering Hearts

(Today's Prayer Point is from my friend, Christina of To Show Them Jesus.  She points us to the gospel when our kiddos can't stay on task... and we can't either.  -Desiré)

"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart."

Jeremiah 24:7

Father in Heaven, 


I come before you frustrated and irritated. The kids are always so distracted! I send them to put on their shoes and I come in and find them doing something else. We ended up being late to our appointment today. The other day, it was all I could do to get them focused on school work. Will they ever be able to do what they are told without frequent reminders? 


Even as I pray this, I am reminded of how distracted my own heart is. How often do you have to instruct me over and over in the same lessons? You call me to love you with all my heart, yet the cares of this world draw me away. They say that whatever you spend most of your time on is what you truly value. If that's the case, my heart has wandered to the computer, to material possessions, to my to-do lists, and more. 


Father, forgive me for my own wandering heart. I thank you for the gospel of grace that forgives me each time I wander and draws me back to you. Because of Jesus, I have a new heart. Because of Jesus, I am your child and you are my Father. I thank you that Jesus was never distracted from his purpose, nor did he ever stray from his love for you. 


Help me to see my chidlren through the lens of the gospel of grace. Help me to have the same patience with them as you do with me. Give me wisdom as I try to corral their distracted hearts. May I always point them to the gospel by the way I respond to them. And each time I stumble in my parenting, extend your hand of grace to me. Lift me up and help me to continue on this path you have set me on. May my heart always be turned toward you. 


Because of Jesus I ask this, Amen.


Christina

Christina Fox is a homeschooling mom to two young boys, 7 and 4 years. She is also a licensed mental health counselor. Prior to having children, she worked as a child psychotherapist. She blogs transparently about her struggles with depression, her growth in faith, challenges in parenting, and her homeschooling journey at www.toshowthemjesus.com. When not homeschooling or writing, she can be found reading a good book with a mug of black coffee at her side.  You can find her on facebook as well.