Praying for this Newborn

This blog has been quiet for two weeks with a good reason.  The 'inside' baby that was one of my children I was praying for is now an 'outside' baby with a name and an adorable face.

This is Nolan.  He has been a joy to welcome into our family.  Born January 19, he's 11 days old now.  That photo was taken at 3 days old.

Our prayer for him is that he would grow up to be a  man after God's own heart.  That we would raise him to be honest, kind, loving, creative, happy, a good friend & good influence...  That he would know God's plan for him as God reveals it, and would follow it joyfully.  Pray that with us for him, would you?  He is a fresh boy, full of potential and hope.  Our other, older, children may have made choices that we wished they had not, but they are no less full of potential.  Let's keep praying for them all.

Seeing Children as a Blessing

May adults everywhere see children as a blessing and a gift.  May we deeply desire to train them well and care for them deeply, recognizing how precious they are to you and that you've entrusted them to us.

According to Your Promises

May my child be pure in heart, a peacemaker, merciful, and may she hunger and thirst for righteousness.

May she, according to your promises, see you, be called your child, be shown mercy, and be filled.

(Matthew 5:3-10)

Blessings

Bless these children, Lord - the ones that are on M's bus, the ones at her school, M and this little one on the way, each of our nieces and nephews, our Compassion kids in Mexico and Ghana; bless them richly today with good gifts deserved only because you created them and love them.  Show your love today by blessing them in the way you know they will appreciate most.

A Prayer from Isaiah

I am reading the book of Isaiah right now, and am slogging through all the "Woe to you...'s".  Why don't we choose to live in a way that brings blessing and not curse?  We have the choice!

Isaiah 29:13 says: The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught."  I am more familiar with the first part of that, but look at the second part - it's what they have been taught. 

Lord God, teach us parents how to teach our children LOVE through our rules, and not simply teach them the rules.  May we teach them to worship you by teaching them your heart, not by demanding correct behavior.  May they grow up to be people who live in a way that you will reward and bless.