God’s Got This: Prayer Guide For Foster FamiliesSample

"Guarding Their Hearts"
Families called to stand in the gap for children through fostering are truly doing kingdom work. As a former foster child and as a momma to a sweet little who was fostered for us, my gratitude runs deep. Personally, one of the greatest blessings of my life has been to see how families who stood in the gap guarded their children’s hearts. One of the greatest gifts that foster mommies or daddies can give is to guard their children’s hearts, especially because there is a high likelihood that this is a gift they have yet to receive.

Parenting works better when blended with a strong undercurrent of prayer. When you are dealing with little hearts that have been bruised, however intentionally or unintentionally, relying on God is vital. Praying about how to specifically guard their little hearts is critical, for fostering children is a spiritual battle.

When difficult circumstances have taught children to be wary and create thick walls around their hearts, you can be the constant and consistent voice of love and truth that they desperately need to hear. One of the best ways to do this is to let your foster children hear you praising God, for they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Let them hear you thanking Jesus for the gift of their presence in your home and in your family, knowing that the definition of family in God’s view is different than the typical cultural definition to which most people adhere.

As you pray and praise, make it specific and say it out loud in their presence. Watch how God uses the truth of their importance in His kingdom to bless their hearts, as well as your own.