1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,620 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:16,020 --> 00:00:19,390 Speaker 2: You're listening to Everyday Prayers with Million Praying Moms, helping 3 00:00:19,470 --> 00:00:22,010 Speaker 2: you pray God's word for your family in the areas 4 00:00:22,110 --> 00:00:22,850 Speaker 2: you need it most. 5 00:00:23,270 --> 00:00:24,550 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. 6 00:00:24,970 --> 00:00:27,670 Speaker 2: Here, we believe prayer isn't a last resort. It's our 7 00:00:27,850 --> 00:00:31,190 Speaker 2: first and best response in parenting. And every day, We 8 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:33,290 Speaker 2: come together to partner with God for the hearts of 9 00:00:33,370 --> 00:00:33,870 Speaker 2: our children. 10 00:00:34,570 --> 00:00:35,670 Speaker 1: Our freebie this month. 11 00:00:35,550 --> 00:00:39,340 Speaker 2: Is a five-day prayer reset. It comes from our newest devotional, 12 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,100 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers for Moms, praying God's word for your children 13 00:00:42,140 --> 00:00:44,700 Speaker 2: from newborn to empty nest. It came out last week. 14 00:00:45,420 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: Maybe you want to pray more for your kids. Maybe 15 00:00:47,820 --> 00:00:49,889 Speaker 2: you've tried before, but life got busy and the habit 16 00:00:49,930 --> 00:00:50,510 Speaker 2: didn't stick. 17 00:00:50,550 --> 00:00:52,290 Speaker 1: Or maybe you're not even sure where to begin. 18 00:00:52,820 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 2: Maybe you have been praying for your kids, but you 19 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:56,460 Speaker 2: feel like the Lord is leading you. 20 00:00:56,380 --> 00:00:58,650 Speaker 1: To go deeper. Wherever you are, I want you to 21 00:00:58,690 --> 00:01:00,730 Speaker 1: know this. You don't have to have it all figured 22 00:01:00,870 --> 00:01:02,070 Speaker 1: out to start praying. 23 00:01:02,090 --> 00:01:06,449 Speaker 2: Psalm 105.4 reminds us to seek His face always. We 24 00:01:06,490 --> 00:01:10,350 Speaker 2: are invited to continually bring our lives and our children 25 00:01:10,410 --> 00:01:14,399 Speaker 2: to God. And 1 Thessalonians 5.17 reminds us to pray 26 00:01:14,459 --> 00:01:15,459 Speaker 2: without ceasing. 27 00:01:15,980 --> 00:01:17,860 Speaker 1: Prayer isn't meant to be one more thing we have 28 00:01:17,900 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 1: to get right. 29 00:01:18,900 --> 00:01:21,419 Speaker 2: It's an invitation to walk with God through the everyday 30 00:01:21,459 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 2: moments of motherhood. I'm learning that prayer looks different in 31 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 2: different seasons. God isn't looking for perfect, polished prayers. He 32 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 2: is after our hearts. That's why I created this five-day 33 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: prayer reset, and that's why I wrote Everyday Prayers for Mom. 34 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: But these five days are not about adding another. 35 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: Task to your list or creating a perfect prayer routine. 36 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 2: They're simply an invitation to pause, begin again, and discover 37 00:01:45,420 --> 00:01:49,380 Speaker 2: a rhythm of prayer that fits your real life. So 38 00:01:49,460 --> 00:01:54,260 Speaker 2: take a breath. Give yourself some grace. Come as you 39 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 2: are and begin. 40 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:58,110 Speaker 1: Our five-day prayer reset today. Find a link in our 41 00:01:58,130 --> 00:02:01,010 Speaker 1: show notes. Today's devotion is written and. 42 00:02:00,970 --> 00:02:04,930 Speaker 2: Read by Caitlin Chappell Rogers, host of the Comeback Couch 43 00:02:04,990 --> 00:02:08,970 Speaker 2: podcast and author of her new release, She Just Won't Quit, 44 00:02:09,410 --> 00:02:14,470 Speaker 2: Embracing the Practice of Everyday Perseverance. Today, Caitlin shares a 45 00:02:14,510 --> 00:02:17,370 Speaker 2: prayer for when motherhood feels impossible. 46 00:02:17,730 --> 00:02:19,090 Speaker 1: We've all been there, haven't we? 47 00:02:19,570 --> 00:02:22,790 Speaker 2: Love the wisdom that Caitlin shares with us today. To 48 00:02:22,830 --> 00:02:25,290 Speaker 2: learn more about Caitlin or more about the ministry of 49 00:02:25,330 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 2: Million Praying Moms, visit millionprayingmoms.com. After a quick word from 50 00:02:30,300 --> 00:02:32,680 Speaker 2: our sponsors, we'll pray together for our families. 51 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,500 Speaker 3: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is 52 00:02:40,540 --> 00:02:45,970 Speaker 3: made perfect in weakness. Being a mom was never at 53 00:02:45,990 --> 00:02:48,550 Speaker 3: the top of my goals list, but it quickly and 54 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:52,330 Speaker 3: effortlessly became my unrealized dream come true once I had 55 00:02:52,389 --> 00:02:55,109 Speaker 3: my three boys. So why did I feel so much 56 00:02:55,150 --> 00:02:57,770 Speaker 3: gratitude every night as I looked at pictures and videos 57 00:02:57,810 --> 00:03:00,130 Speaker 3: of them with tears in my eyes while they slept 58 00:03:00,210 --> 00:03:02,549 Speaker 3: snug in their beds, but not when I was wiping 59 00:03:02,590 --> 00:03:04,910 Speaker 3: up the 10th mess of the day before 8 a.m.? 60 00:03:05,870 --> 00:03:08,169 Speaker 3: There were more moments than I care to admit that 61 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:11,530 Speaker 3: I genuinely wanted to quit. I'd fire off a text 62 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:14,269 Speaker 3: to my husband laced with misspelled words I didn't notice 63 00:03:14,350 --> 00:03:17,709 Speaker 3: through the blur of hot tears, saying something like, I 64 00:03:17,750 --> 00:03:19,930 Speaker 3: can't do this anymore. I should not be a mom 65 00:03:20,030 --> 00:03:21,230 Speaker 3: and don't want to keep trying. 66 00:03:22,110 --> 00:03:22,610 Speaker 1: Why, God? 67 00:03:23,130 --> 00:03:26,770 Speaker 3: Why is motherhood a role so vital and rewarding, so 68 00:03:26,850 --> 00:03:30,000 Speaker 3: trying and exhausting? Why do I feel more limited and 69 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:33,470 Speaker 3: lifeless than maybe ever before? Why are you allowing this 70 00:03:33,510 --> 00:03:36,540 Speaker 3: brokenness in me with its sharp edges to puncture wounds 71 00:03:36,620 --> 00:03:39,220 Speaker 3: in the people I love around me? Of all the 72 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:42,180 Speaker 3: obstacles I have overcome, Of all the ways I've kept 73 00:03:42,220 --> 00:03:45,020 Speaker 3: going in this life, shaken off the dust and pressed on, 74 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:47,900 Speaker 3: of all the ways I've lived out, if at first 75 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,030 Speaker 3: you don't succeed, try again, this didn't feel like any 76 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:53,870 Speaker 3: of the other obstacles. This felt impossible. 77 00:03:54,470 --> 00:03:55,370 Speaker 1: And there was my answer. 78 00:03:55,910 --> 00:03:59,890 Speaker 3: It was impossible. It was absolutely not possible for me 79 00:03:59,910 --> 00:04:02,260 Speaker 3: to put on my big girl panties each morning and 80 00:04:02,300 --> 00:04:04,780 Speaker 3: muster up the willingness and want to to be super 81 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,820 Speaker 3: mom for my boys. I would never be able to 82 00:04:07,860 --> 00:04:11,010 Speaker 3: master motherhood and show the other moms around me exactly 83 00:04:11,070 --> 00:04:14,250 Speaker 3: how it's done. I could not read enough self-help books 84 00:04:14,330 --> 00:04:17,770 Speaker 3: or practice enough gentle parenting to push past my overwhelm, 85 00:04:18,150 --> 00:04:21,669 Speaker 3: my hormonal imbalances, or my toddler's disobedience to see the 86 00:04:21,710 --> 00:04:25,210 Speaker 3: silver linings amidst my mom rage. Not on my own, anyway. 87 00:04:25,970 --> 00:04:28,390 Speaker 3: I needed a strength so much bigger than mine and 88 00:04:28,430 --> 00:04:31,350 Speaker 3: a power beyond anything this world could offer me. I 89 00:04:31,390 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 3: needed Jesus. Every hour, every moment, I needed Jesus. I 90 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 3: wanted to learn how to consistently shift my mindset to 91 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 3: see the muchness of motherhood as evidence of God's abundance 92 00:04:42,420 --> 00:04:44,900 Speaker 3: I had prayed for, rather than a side effect of 93 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 3: something forced on me. But this growth wouldn't come from 94 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:49,729 Speaker 3: meeting with Him once a day for a few minutes 95 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,310 Speaker 3: to check in and check a box. It would only 96 00:04:52,370 --> 00:04:55,170 Speaker 3: come by way of constantly communing with Him all throughout 97 00:04:55,210 --> 00:04:57,969 Speaker 3: the day. And I had to train my heart to 98 00:04:58,010 --> 00:05:01,430 Speaker 3: do that. But how do we practically pray without ceasing? 99 00:05:02,410 --> 00:05:04,450 Speaker 3: We pause at the kitchen sink and ask Him for 100 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 3: renewed strength. 101 00:05:05,690 --> 00:05:06,010 Speaker 1: Let's pray. 102 00:05:06,029 --> 00:05:36,550 Speaker 3: Father, Help me shift my mindset and motherhood so I 103 00:05:36,589 --> 00:05:39,029 Speaker 3: can see your abundance and view this role as more 104 00:05:39,089 --> 00:05:42,250 Speaker 3: of a blessing than a burden. When I get overwhelmed 105 00:05:42,330 --> 00:05:44,529 Speaker 3: and want to give up, guide me back to you 106 00:05:44,630 --> 00:05:48,370 Speaker 3: and your loving kindness that leads to repentance. Let your 107 00:05:48,430 --> 00:05:51,650 Speaker 3: strength be evident in my weakest moments as I surrender 108 00:05:51,690 --> 00:05:55,469 Speaker 3: my reactions and responses to you. Thank you, Jesus. 109 00:05:56,110 --> 00:05:56,390 Speaker 1: Amen. 110 00:05:57,529 --> 00:05:59,550 Speaker 2: My guess is that if you're here listening to the 111 00:05:59,650 --> 00:06:02,950 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers podcast, you kind of care about praying daily. 112 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: For your children. 113 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 2: My newest book, Everyday Prayers for Moms, Praying God's Word 114 00:06:09,020 --> 00:06:12,680 Speaker 2: for Your Children from Newborn to Emptiness, is a great 115 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:16,690 Speaker 2: resource for moms who desire to pray for their kids. 116 00:06:17,060 --> 00:06:18,489 Speaker 2: I don't know if you've ever looked up at the 117 00:06:18,550 --> 00:06:20,830 Speaker 2: end of the day and realized that you didn't pray 118 00:06:20,950 --> 00:06:25,029 Speaker 2: at all. So often we have this desire to pray, 119 00:06:25,410 --> 00:06:28,770 Speaker 2: but we may not know how to put that desire 120 00:06:28,990 --> 00:06:30,190 Speaker 2: into practice. 121 00:06:30,660 --> 00:06:32,059 Speaker 1: I'm learning in motherhood that. 122 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:35,029 Speaker 2: My prayers adapt and change based on the season that 123 00:06:35,070 --> 00:06:36,290 Speaker 2: we're in as a family. 124 00:06:36,730 --> 00:06:37,950 Speaker 1: I'm also learning to give. 125 00:06:37,850 --> 00:06:42,350 Speaker 2: Myself grace in those different seasons. I know God isn't 126 00:06:42,529 --> 00:06:46,270 Speaker 2: after perfect, polished prayers. He's after my heart, and He's 127 00:06:46,470 --> 00:06:50,720 Speaker 2: after yours, too. So my plan is to be intentional, 128 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 2: whatever that looks like, in this season. 129 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:57,339 Speaker 1: I hope that is your plan as well. God sees 130 00:06:57,420 --> 00:07:00,710 Speaker 1: our hearts. He's honored us. by our desire to connect 131 00:07:01,290 --> 00:07:01,730 Speaker 1: with Him. 132 00:07:02,190 --> 00:07:04,770 Speaker 2: If you're feeling stuck in your prayer life, I've got 133 00:07:04,810 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 2: a new free download, a five-day prayer reset. It's a 134 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: great guide to help you get started, jump back in, 135 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,580 Speaker 2: stay consistent, grow. 136 00:07:17,380 --> 00:07:19,210 Speaker 1: Deeper in your prayers for your kids. 137 00:07:19,590 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 2: It's also a great tool to share with with your 138 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 2: friends or with your family members that may be seeking 139 00:07:26,500 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 2: to know God deeper in prayer. 140 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 1: As they're wanting to pray for their kids. I hope 141 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:32,340 Speaker 1: you will. 142 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:36,690 Speaker 2: Grab your copy today at millionprayingmoms.com. We'll also put a 143 00:07:36,750 --> 00:07:41,490 Speaker 2: link in our show notes. Until next time, friends, may 144 00:07:41,530 --> 00:07:42,530 Speaker 2: the Lord bless. 145 00:07:42,270 --> 00:07:43,230 Speaker 1: You and keep you. 146 00:07:44,330 --> 00:07:47,090 Speaker 2: Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. 147 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,390 Speaker 2: May the Lord look with favor upon you and give 148 00:07:51,430 --> 00:07:52,230 Speaker 2: you His peace.