EquippedMama

You wake up early; the sun is just peeping across the horizon and casting golden shadows on your floors and walls. The house is quiet. Noiselessly, you start the pot of coffee and pull the cream out of the refrigerator. As you find your favorite mug, which is somehow miraculously clean, your mind starts to wander. This silence is so precious and rare. There are so many things you could do with your brief moment to yourself!

As you pour your coffee you consider the options. You could do the dishes from last night. Perhaps squeeze in a quick workout? You could read a chapter from the novel your friend lent you two months ago.

Then you remember that you started reading a blog about praying for your children and suddenly feel guilty as you try to remember the last time you spent considerable time bringing their needs to the Lord. Or your own. Or even the last time you were in the Word.

Does this scenario sound at all relatable? I’m sure at times all of us have wondered about the value of praying for our children. With far more responsibilities crammed in our day then 24 hours can handle, taking time to pray is definitely a sacrifice. However, as we consider praying Mamas throughout history, and specifically the Bible, we recognize that the power of a praying Mother has eternal value.

One very important example of a praying legacy can be found in Acts 16:1-3 and 2 Timothy 1:3-5.

“He (Paul) came to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.”

Acts 16:1-3, NET

“I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother, Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.

2 Timothy 1:5

In these four short verses we learn of the powerful influence two women had on one of the most important figures in the New Testament. Although only mentioned by name once, Timothy’s mother and Grandmother modeled a legacy of faith that Timothy personalized and carried throughout his life.

We know very little about these women, although Scripture does mention their names, permanently immortalizing them for their faithful love to the Lord. We know that Eunice, Timothy’s mother, was a Jew married to a Greek. Scripture gives no indication that Timothy’s father also had the same sincere faith as his wife; therefore, it is very reasonable to speculate that in the home, the training about God came from these women or was divided, with each parent teaching something different. Or perhaps the teaching Eunice gave was a quiet testimony of godliness shown through her actions. Since Scripture is silent on this issue, we are left to wonder at these unanswered questions.

Regardless the dynamics of having a mixed home- both culturally and, presumably, religiously, Timothy came to have the same faith as his mother and grandmother. This faith transformed Timothy’s life, and when he met the Apostle Paul, he was preceded by a strong favorable reputation. Clearly his faith made an impression on Paul, as well, as he sought Timothy out as a travel companion and ministry partner.

Timothy accompanied Paul on multiple missionary journeys, wrote with him on several epistles, and was the personal recipient of two epistles himself, which bear his name. Timothy served as a pastor (2 Timothy 4:1-5) and held a very special position with Paul, who referred to him as “my child” (1 Timothy 1:18) and “my dear child” (2 Timothy 1:2).

Eunice and Lois could not have imagined the eternal impact Timothy would have on the world. Not knowing the difference their testimony would make, they were faithful to live out their faith for him to see. Their testimony is one of faith and faithfulness which the Lord honored by remembering them in his Word.

Imagine what your testimony could do in the life of your child.

As you consider the impact of your prayers for your child consider these women and their faithfulness. You might not be blessed with such dynamic answers to your prayers, but the same God who saw the faith of these women will see your faith and reward your prayers, too.

Consider establishing a legacy of prayer for your children today.