Fighting on your Knees

He pulled it out and tossed it in the garbage.  The colorful Bird of Paradise plant in front of the house had become infested with ants.  We had not noticed, but our landlord did.  He got on his hands and knees and pulled out the corrupted plant, its beauty destroyed by a silent invader.  In its place stood a big, gaping hole.  I was sad to see it go. 

Weeks later, I started noticing that the plant was coming back, but in a disfigured form.  Apparently, our landlord had not pulled out all the roots and hoed the area completely, and now small shoots and weeds were growing in the dirt.  The area needed tending. 

Tending to my family is similar to gardening. I am called to spiritually cultivate the hearts of those God has entrusted into my care.  I need to water.  I need to be vigilant so that silent invaders don’t come in and slowly destroy the beauty that God is planting and growing.  I need to pull out spiritual weeds from the root. 

I must be willing to get on my knees and fight for my family.  Prayer is an invaluable spiritual gardening tool.  Regularly, I pray Scripture over my husband, my children, and my extended family.  I pray for their roots to be firmly planted in soil that is well-watered by the Word. 

During the month ahead, I challenge you to pray through this Scripture from Ephesians Chapter 3 daily for your family.  Choose one family member for each day of the week, and insert the individual’s name into the prayer as I have for my husband. 

Lord,  
May Bruce be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in his inner being.
May Christ dwell in Bruce’s heart through faith.
May Bruce be rooted and grounded in Your love.
May Bruce have the strength to comprehend with the breadth and length and height and depth of your love.
May Bruce know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
May Bruce be filled with all the fullness of God.
May Bruce know that Christ is able to do far more abundantly than all that he asks or thinks according to the power at work within him. 

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

About Lyli

Lyli Dunbar loves teaching.  For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room.  She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on herpersonal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest.

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