(K-LOVE Closer Look) – Sending your child off to school can be scary for any mother. Will they be safe? Will they be successful? What can a mom do?
Moms in Prayer International was formed in 1984 by Fern Nichols, mother of a junior-high boy, after she called a fellow mom to pray with her. In the years since, the ministry has added prayer gatherings in every U.S. state and more than 150 countries. “Our desire, our vision is that every school in the world would be covered in prayer,” says Jennifer Appleton, MIP South Texas State Coordinator. She concedes it’s a bold vision, but adds with confidence, “we believe in a Mighty God.”
MIP groups are varied, with mothers gathering to pray for students and schools at any grade level, including college. Some groups are specific, like for grandmothers or for moms who prefer to pray in their native language. All mothers are welcome whether working or stay-at-home. Groups follow a standard outline for prayer, but Appleton assures women there is no ‘right way’ to pray. “There's not a perfect way, but we gather with others and pray and come to the Father – He will be the one to teach us -- the Holy Spirit wants to teach us.”
Appleton explains the goal of a MIP prayer gathering is ‘accord.’ “Which means we're listening to our sisters, these other moms, and we're coming into agreement – ‘Yes, Lord!’ -- Jesus tells us to pray in agreement with one another according to the Father's will.”
Existing groups can be discovered via the website or new ones can be formed with MIP guidance. Leaders promise meetings will always begin and end on time and all participants are required to keep prayers confidential. The ministry also has free booklets, Bible studies, prayer sheets, video training and podcasts to help mothers grow in their faith.
From her own experience, Appleton finds women in Moms In Prayer often form lifelong friendships.
“Yes!” she exclaims. “Those relationships they are deep and they are strong because these women are praying God's promises over our children -- oh my goodness, what that does for a mama's heart!”
