Praying for Family

The last year has brought home to me that my generation is now the patriarchs and matriarchs of our families. After my mom died, I felt the loss of her prayers. I knew she prayed for me and her other children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, even great-greats. But I also was aware she prayed for cousins, friends, even those she didn’t know yet. She called them those “who come after.”

I remember her talking about her grandmother praying diligently for those “who come after.” We might not know their names, but we know they will come someday. For future in-laws, future stepchildren, future “adopted” friends, future babies, the list is endless.

I listened to my grandparents pray after breakfast. They named each child and spouse, as well as each grandchild and any grandchildren, as they prayed for them.

When did I become a matriarch of the family?

Officially, it was when my mother died. My brothers and their wives also moved up in status. But what does it really mean to be a matriarch or patriarch?

It Isn’t

It isn’t throwing unwanted advice around.

It isn’t demanding adherence to my wishes.

It Is

We lead through connection, guidance, and a sense of legacy, building bridges between generations and fostering unity. We are:

A loving connection creating a sense of safety and unconditional love through consistent support, celebrating milestones, and offering comfort during difficult times.
A source of wisdom by being a trusted listener and offering support when asked.
The keeper of the family story enabling younger members to connect with their roots by sharing stories, history, and traditions. This helps establish a shared family identity. My mother left us a great legacy of family history and writings.
A unifying force by creating opportunities for family gatherings and one-on-one time to ensure everyone feels seen and appreciated, and staying calm if drama arises.
A forward-thinking guide while preserving the family’s core values, we remain open-minded, guiding discussions with wisdom and discernment, and helping family members navigate modern challenges.
Writing down the values, traditions, and lessons you want to preserve.
Staying engaged and active in communication, maintaining strong social connections, and reaching the younger members where they are. Learn from them to foster mutual respect and bridge generational gaps.
Loving and guiding from a place of quiet, unconditional support, allowing the next generation to develop their own strengths.

And now, we must step up and seek God and all His wisdom as we pray for our families, friends, our world, and those who come after. It seems like an overwhelming task, doesn’t it?

But prayer isn’t meant to be a list of needs and desires. Our prayers…

Mom said it like this: “They lead us in Faith, to His Grace and Glory, transforming our lives.

“This leads to Meditation on His Words and worshiping Him, who is our God. It is living each moment in the awareness of His presence and aligning our thoughts and actions to be pleasing to our Lord and God.”

We approach prayer in humility, asking for God’s Spirit’s guidance.
When we need to pray for someone, we pray for them by name.
Remaining thankful in all circumstances, we praise God for His goodness and wisdom.
We ask God what He is teaching us? What is His perspective?
In troubles and difficult times, He gives us peace, joy, and strength. We lean on Him.
Psalm 34:18 When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close and revives him in his pain.

Week of Prayer, from Becoming a Prayer Warrior by Elizabeth Alves.

Every day, I pray –

For protection
My needs
Others’ prayer requests
For Spiritual strength from God to live pleasing to Him

Then each day has a topic for further prayer

Sunday: Pray for Spiritual Revelation, for the Holy Spirit to give me personal direction, instruction, and vision. Psalm 90:17—Favor with God
Monday: Pray for anointing with power from the Holy Spirit for excellence in all I do. Acts 2:47—Favor with Man
Tuesday: Pray for lives marked by holiness, and a desire to be holy in all I do, and walk in righteousness. Habakkuk 2:2—Pure Vision
Wednesday: Pray for favor with people I meet and have a teachable spirit and an open heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:23—Spirit, Soul, Body
Thursday: Pray for unity and esteem one another more highly than myself. Psalm 91—Warfare and Protection
Friday: Pray for connecting with the lost and be prepared to share the Gospel. Matthew 6:33—Priorities
Saturday: Pray for provision for ongoing clarity of vision and mission. Ephesians 5:33–6:4—Family

“Prayer is more than a list of concerns; it is the beginning of humility and trust in the Lord God, the Creator of our Universe. Prayer recognizes the Awe of our Lord, our God, as our Father in Heaven.”

from Mom’s Blog – Prayer Stepping Stones

Psalm 84

Valley of Baca – valley of weeping

1 How lovely is Your temple, Your dwelling place on earth, O Eternal One, Commander of heaven’s armies.
2 How I long to be there—my soul is spent, wanting, waiting to walk in the courts of the Eternal. My whole being sings joyfully to the living God.
3 Just as the sparrow seeks her home, and the swallow finds in her own nest a place to lay her young, I, too, seek Your altars, my King and my God, Commander of heaven’s armies.
4 How blessed are those who make Your house their home, who live with You; they are constantly praising You. [pause]

5 Blessed are those who make You their strength, for they treasure every step of the journey [to Zion].
6 On their way through the valley of Baca, they stop and dig wells to collect the refreshing spring water, and the early rains fill the pools.
7 They journey from place to place, gaining strength along the way; until they meet God in Zion.
8 O Eternal God, Commander of heaven’s armies, listen to my prayer. O please listen, God of Jacob. [pause]

9 O True God, look at our shield, our protector, see the face of Your anointed king, and defend our defender.
10 Just one day in the courts of Your temple is greater than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve as a porter at my God’s doorstep than live in luxury in the house of the wicked.
11 For the Eternal God is a sun and a shield. The Eternal grants favor and glory; He doesn’t deny any good thing to those who live with integrity.
12 O Eternal One, Commander of heaven’s armies, how fortunate are those who trust You.