Praying to Grow

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52

As a praying mom, I have claimed this Scripture over each of my children, more times than I can count. We don't talk about it much but my kids know that I pray for them. It is just what I do.

They have grown up with the understanding that they are loved and prayed for. I wonder what a difference that makes in a child's life.

My early experiences with prayer were very different. Prayers were written by someone else to be read by others, usually in a corporate setting: Sunday mass, Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation. The rare grace spoken over a meal only happened when we had big get-togethers. I still recall my grandfather or one of my aunt's reciting a blessing that was comforting in its sameness.

I don't ever recall anyone praying over me or claiming Scripture on my behalf. Did anyone in the circles I grew up in even have an acquaintance with the words from Luke 2:52? I don't think so.

It wasn't until I went away to college that I met some people who knew God's Word. The first was Karen Robinson. Karen was my college roommate's big sister. She was married to Dave and was in her mid 20's. Karen and Dave led the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry for our college campus. Karen also led a Bible study at my sorority house. She gave me a Scripture to claim before I tried out for the cheerleading squad. I was desperate for all the help I could get so I looked it up. I still remember it (Isaiah 41:10). It was the first time I claimed God's Word for myself.

The second was Theresa Hobrock. I knew her as "Mom Hobrock." She was in her late 60's/early 70's and served as the House Mother for my sorority. Mom Hobrock had been widowed at a young age and raised five children on her own. She always gave God the credit for sustaining her through those early years. I will never forget the day she told me her story and she told of her response to God right after her husband had died. "Thy will be done." At the time, I didn't understand the faith behind her words, I only knew they were radical in the face of such an unfair situation.

Both Karen and Mom Hobrock loved Jesus in a way that set them apart. Obvious, in that they openly said they loved Jesus. Subtly, because they spoke with a wisdom that I could not fathom. They acted with a confidence that could only have been the favor of God. They knew Him well and their lives were a reflection of His love.

They also enjoyed the favor of men. I liked being around them. I liked to hear what they had to say even when I thought it was strange and weird and made my own life choices seem shallow in comparison. They were happy in a way that was not connected to their circumstances. Their joy came from the Lord.

Looking back now, I see what I didn't see back then: both of these women prayed for me. Their prayers had an impact on me even though I was not seeking a relationship with the Lord. I wasn't ready to grow in wisdom or favor but that did not stop them from praying.

Almost 30 years later, the prayers they prayed over me are being answered. Requests to the Father...made so long ago...are bearing fruit. The legacy continues as I pray for my own children and those God has placed in my life.

What a gift He has given me through others...to be prayed for.
What a gift He has made available to me...to pray for myself.
And what a gift He has invited me to share.

O Jesus, that we would submit our lives to the Father as you have done...that we would grow in wisdom and stature...that we would grow in favor with God and men...In your name, Amen.