“Why worry when you can pray?!?” I keep hearing that in my head…so I’m trying to make it a practice to stop and pray for specific things when I feel a bit of panic overtake me. If you want to join me in praying for our situation – here are some ideas on how to pray:

For the baby: This baby needs to be healed from the effects of drug use, alcohol use, lack of nutrition and sooo many other things. We need to be praising due to the fact that this baby made it this far…but she isn’t out of the woods yet. In fact, the tremors will most likely fade. She’ll grow stronger and start to thrive. But it is her brain that will probably be the most damaged. The problems may exhibit early and we’ll try to get the right interventions for her. OR they may not appear until she is school-age. But there will be some price paid by this baby for the addictions of her tummy-mommy.

For the foster family: They deal with some of the worst withdrawals. Often this is not the only baby for which they are caring. Pray for them to love this baby but give them patience for dealing with the court. Pray for patience for when I finally get their phone number and can call them wtih ALL my questions. 😉

For the caseworker: Pray that this person loves this baby and she not just another case. In our experience these people are unselfish and overworked. They go above and beyond. Please pray that this person has patience with us and be willing to work with us to bring this baby girl home sooner than later.

For the Judge and the Court: Please pray that the court dates be easy to make and honored by all parties. Please pray that they see how much it would be to our family’s benefit to have this baby home with us as soon as possible. Please pray that they consider our request to adopt with favor. Please pray that they understand our strengths and weaknesses and make best choice for this baby – even if that means not with us.

For Us: Please pray that we continue to be united in our desire to have this baby join our family. Pray that all the other things we are doing this Fall and Spring go smoothly so as not to add more stress to our lives. Finances, communication, J1’s Mexico trip and upcoming surgery, Boy & Cub Scouts, J2’s ongoing learning struggles, fitting another person into this small – but adequate – house. Please pray that should the court decide we are not to adopt this baby, that we accept that as the Lord’s will too.

For Others: Just this morning I found out that a friend’s life has pretty much fallen apart. Today there are important events that determine what will happen to their family. Please join me in praying for her and others who have much more imediate needs that us!