For This Child I Prayed

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.

1 Samuel 1:27

In my journey to motherhood, I prayed often. It began with more of a plea than a prayer-

“Please God, I want to be pregnant!”

As my heart opened, my prayers transformed.

“God, I want to be a mother.”

“I’m open to adoption, Lord, please guide me to the right family.”

“Foster care, really? That’s so scary, God! I don’t think I can…”

“Ok, you win, God! Our hearts are open to foster care. Please keep us whole and give us the strength to do this.”

“Oh, we love this baby so much – please let us keep him!”

“Father, my heart hurts knowing he might go home, but I trust your ultimate plan.”

“God, please keep this baby safe. Follow him and be with him always.”

My prayers transformed from self-focus to outwardly focused. Only by God’s grace was I able to pray not for my desires to have a child, but for the actual child.

1 Samuel 1:27 is often used as a celebratory verse when people conceive, adopt or welcome a new child into their home. I prayed for this child and the Lord granted me what I asked. Although I do believe it is an absolutely appropriate verse for celebration, I want to take it a step further. I want this verse to be recognized as not only celebration, but confirmation.

Answering my prayers for this child does not always mean a forever home with me. Answering my prayers for this child means a forever home where God intended, safety, security, love and the unshakable knowledge that they are a child of the King. Answering my prayers for this child is confirmation that my part in their life mattered.

Whether your prayers for the children in your home has brought you to celebration or confirmation, they were important. Today, focus on how you can pray for your children and look for the ways, both obvious and subtle, that the Lord has answered.