Praying in the FireSample

Day #4: Pray for Children of First Responders!

As the spouse of a first responder, you know better than anyone that your children often feel the effects of having a parent in the helping field and on the frontlines of danger. Missing holidays, first soccer games, working 24+ hour shifts, and dealing with crying children trying to Facetime at night when mandatory overtime is put into effect.

“Where’s daddy?” is one of the most used phrases in our house during major storms, holidays, and on a random Tuesday when one of our kids is puking. This life is not always easy on them, but God can use it as an opportunity for us to teach them about helping others during difficult times. We can talk to them about being there for others when they are hurting.

Let us pray for the children of first responders. Help them to grow up knowing the importance of helping others and making sacrifices. Help them to know that every time daddy misses holidays, first soccer games, and big milestones - that he is there in spirit. May we always teach our babies to respect and pray for their community heroes.

Make shift days as "special" as you can. Make your own shift night routines so the kids are not always focused on daddy being gone. Let the kids FaceTime him goodnight when you can. Make holidays unique for your first responder family since it is different than the "norm."

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Please guide me in parenting my children. Please use them as a ray of sunshine in this world. Please place a fire in their hearts to help others and spread the Good News. Please work in their little hearts as they sometimes feel the void of daddy being away and in dangerous situations. Please help us to parent them YOUR way.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen