Parenting by Design Daily DevotionalSample

FERVENT PRAYER As we tackle the details of life, we may neglect the most important thing praying for our kids. Do you find yourself too distracted or exhausted to pray? Perhaps your prayers have become a bit routine? Paul gives us an example of a great prayer warrior in Epaphras. What does it mean to "labor fervently" in prayer? The Greek word used here is agoonizomenos (the English word is agonize) and describes the struggle of an athlete as he competes. It implores us to throw ourselves into prayer with persistence, discipline, and zeal. Imagine if we invested as much time and effort praying for our kids as we spend on their sports activities--buying uniforms and equipment, going to their practices, and cheering them on at games! Follow the example of Epaphras in praying fervently for your kids.