A Mother's Heart: Interceding Wisely for Our Children

Matthew 20:20-24

In Matthew 20, we see a powerful moment where the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, comes before Jesus to intercede for her children. She asks that her sons be given places of honor, seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. While her intentions were born out of love, Jesus’ response reveals a critical lesson for all who pray for their children. This underscores a mother's Heart in interceding wisely for our Children.

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As mothers, we are called to intercede fervently for our children, lifting their names before the Lord and praying for their futures. This is a beautiful ministry—bringing them before the throne of grace and asking God to guide their hearts, that they may follow the Lord and not the world.

However, Jesus' reply to the mother of James and John reminds us to examine the motives behind our prayers. The mother’s request, though sincere, was focused on personal ambition. She sought honor for her sons for her own fulfillment, completely overlooking the price behind it, the greater picture of God's will, and the place of others in His kingdom.

 While we should pray boldly for our children, we must always align our prayers with God's will, not our own desires.

When we intercede for our children, we must be careful not to let selfish desires, jealousy, or pride shape our prayers. Hannah was an example. In 1Samuel chapter 1, we read how Hannah desperately wanted a child because, Peninnah her rival wife and "her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb" (1Sam 1:6). But when Hannah changed her motive, God answered her prayer. "And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head" (1Sam 1:11).

Whatever you ask for your children in prayer, always remember that answer to such prayer for them may involve trials which you may not factor in as it was for James and John. Their lives were marked by acute suffering for the sake of the Gospel. John was exiled to the island of Patmos, and James faced martyrdom. Their lives reflect the deep cost of following Jesus, which their mother may not have fully understood when she asked for those positions of honor.

Jesus gently warned her in Matthew 20:22, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” This shows us that while we should pray boldly for our children, we must always align our prayers with God's will, not our own desires. A mother must intercede wisely, for God's ultimate will to de done in the lives of the children first and foremost.

Two Key Lessons for Mothers:

1. Intercede fervently for your children. Like the mother of James and John, bring your children to Jesus. Pray for their hearts to be captivated by Him, that they may grow in faith, wisdom, and grace.

2. Be mindful of your prayers. Seek God’s will for their lives rather than pursuing earthly ambitions or fleeting desires. Pray for them to have strength, faith, and endurance to walk the path God has chosen for them, even if it leads through trials.

Let us, as mothers, follow this example of godly intercession for our children, while desiring a place here we will be happy as mothers for our children's lives, we must intercede wisely for them, entrusting their future to the Lord’s perfect plan. Pray that they are not only blessed but also equipped to bear the challenges that come with a life of faith, all for God’s glory.

I pray for all mothers that as you intercede for your children, the Lord will give you wisdom, strength, and grace to be able to stand in the gap for your children that they will know the Lord and their heart will follow after him, and not the world in Jesus' name. The Lord will give you joy and happiness over your children, your toil over them will not be in vain. You will not labor over them for another to reap the blessings in Jesus; name.

Let me know if this piece has blessed you in any way. Shalom!