Morning Breakfast Scenes

My grandparents died when I was 7 years old. They were the greatest spiritual influence of my life and I only enjoyed their flesh-and-blood earthly relationship during my first few (formative) years. I remember sitting with them in the sacred space of our small breakfast table with Bibles opened, over-medium eggs and New Mexico red chili, a folded tortilla on the side, and ribbons of steam ascending from their coffee mugs.

Sometimes I would enjoy a bowl of Cheerios with sweetened milk as I watched their leathered hands smooth precious worn pages with reverence as they read aloud from their Santa Biblias and then as they prayed into them and over us. My small brown hands would fold in front of me, imitating the sounds I heard, absorbing the thick Spirit-breathed atmosphere and their thick accented words.

Like the ribbons of coffee steam, the incense of their prayers ascended every morning. The heavenly petitions breathed at that humble breakfast table continue to mark my life. Momentum was created for generations. Their prayers continue to mark me, move me and shape me. I have now lived long enough to see the activity of their prayer continue in the lives of my children and grandchildren. The prayers of my grandparents outstripped their lives and shaped my destiny

If you peel back the curtains of space and time and unveil the battle plan for my life, these morning breakfast scenes would most certainly be command central.

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. // Matthew 18:18-20

My grandfather was a Pastor and a Kingdom Giant in the pulpits, but his lasting impact in my life took place in the humble seats of a simple kitchen table. The pulpit marked my heritage, but the kitchen table marked my destiny.

Here’s the simple lesson I learned at that long-ago breakfast table: Pray. Pray in the will of God, for the glory of God, informed by the Word of God.

My grandparents prayed prophetically into and over my life. They prayed without ceasing. They wrote my future with their prayers.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting and everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children. // Psalm 103:17

My spiritual inheritance causes me to know without a doubt that my prayers are effective.

My prodigal child was a prayed-for child.

I interceded for his future spouse. I believed for miracles. I prayed with an ache for what God alone could do in his life. I pursued and prayed for the heart and will of God to be accomplished in him and through him. I prayed hedges and hedges of protection around him. I prayed outrageous abundance for him. Springs in the desert. Blossoms on dead trees.

I fought the greatest battle of my life with prayer. It was the only weapon I had.

I prayed that my children would be satisfied in Jesus and that they would make their home in Jesus.

I prayed that my children would know the fullness of God.

I prayed that my children would tune their ear to the voice of the Spirit.

I prayed that my children choose life partners who would be willing to go deeper and wider in the things of God.

I prayed that my children would flourish in their ordinary everyday lives and champion those around them.

I prayed that they would be bold men and women of influence and grace in a world that is broken and that healing and wholeness would mark their lives.

I learned to pray the promises of God over my children in the seats of a small kitchen table. I continue to lift these petitions every morning with opened Thompson Chain. This is the inheritance I leave them.

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children.  // Lamentations 2:19 NLT