Check out the Children of Destiny website. This website, established by a couple who are also ordained Christian ministers, features inspiration and a prayer ministry for families who have children on the autistic spectrum. Jack and Rebecca Sytsema are parents to three boys, one with ASD, one with ADHD and one who is neurologically healthy so far.

The Sytsemas offer inspirational posts and have a radio show on Autism One radio entitled "Children of Destiny: Spiritual Strength and Hope for Families Struggling with Autism" that airs every Sunday morning. The topics of these programs and messages speak directly to the heart of all Christians who are parenting special needs children. Things like “Overcoming the Mountain” “Living in the Joy of the Lord” and “Waiting for the Orchid to Bloom” all speak to those of us who seem to spend more time in the dark valleys of life than in the full sunshine.

But one of the most important parts of the Children of Destiny ministry is the daily prayer effort. On the website, you can sign up to receive a daily prayer emailed to you, written specifically for parents of children with special needs in mind.

Since signing up for this in November, I’ve got to tell you it is by far one of the best things that happens to me each day. The prayers always seem to have special meaning for the day they arrive. And the email also features a “friend and family” version that extended family and close friends can use to pray a similar prayer for you and your family. I have saved several of the prayers and refer to and reflect on them quite a bit.

Here’s the prayer for today…which was a meaningful one as well.

Dear Lord,
There are so many times when those around us cannot fully understand the challenges we face day to day. How wonderful it is to know that you not only understand what we are facing today, you also know what we will need for tomorrow. We are deeply comforted in knowing that you have great affection for each member of this family. Thank you, Lord, that we can approach you with great confidence knowing that you will never let us down. Even when answers to our prayers seem so delayed and some needs remain great, we can be sure that your timing is perfect, and that you will always fulfill all of your promises to us. Help us in the tough times to remember that we can trust you because you have promised to make a way even when there seems to be no way.

I have happily incorporated this prayer into my early morning devotion time…a New Year’s resolution I hope I’m able to keep, since it really does seem to center me and give me a much better attitude to face my challenging day.

Photo Credit