Susan LaffertyPacking up our lives every few years. Crossing oceans and borders. Figuring out friendships and fellowships and schools.
Navigating the spiritual landscapes that we land in.
How do we pray for our children in this cross-cultural life? Specifically and strategically?
Along the way I see the need for strong roots and movable tents. Stability and flexibility.
It’s a winter Sunday in Karachi. The late 1990’s. The worship service of the International Church of Karachi closes with the benediction.
Children run outside to play tag on the lawn in the sunshine. And adults filter slowly through the doors onto the patio.
Greeting one another. Stopping to chat and catch up. Pouring and sipping cups of tea in the shade of the carport.
Many linger for these fellowship times after the services. Sometimes for longer than the actual service itself.
Getting to know one another’s stories. Offering encouragement as we navigate the urban and cross-cultural challenges of living in the megacity. Karachi.
But silent prayers by faith—with a sincere heart—brought change in a way my parental speeches had not.
And praying changed me. Helped me consider what was true. What was necessary. Brought back memories of my own journey in adolescence.
This experiment was a process. And led to a few practices that paid off in building relationships with our teens.