Scripture

So many times in Scripture you read the words, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says..."  My prayer today is that our children will read Scripture, love Scripture, and memorize Scripture, so that when any situation comes up, they will be able to say with confidence, "Well, this is what God says about that..."

Worship You Only

I pray that these children would know what other idols are, and choose not to worship them.  May they understand that you are the true only God and nothing else is worthy of pursuit - money, popularity, looks, shopping, other people...  May they worship you only and serve you only.

2 Kings 17

Mothers

My prayer for my children this morning is one of gratitude and thanksgiving for them.

Psalm 113 is a Psalm of praise, and one that I read not long after Nolan was born.  It has a phrase at the end that has stuck with me - "He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord."  A happy mother of children.  I was not childless before, but with Nolan's arrival, this plural - children - is now my status. I am happy with my role as their mom and am grateful to the one who has given me these two gifts to enjoy and to mother.

The Fruit of the Spirit

May someone in her world today show love to another.
May someone express true joy that in turn delights those around them.
May someone today be a peacemaker and heal instead of cause conflict.
May one of their classmates show patience to another.
May they all be kind.
May gentleness diffuse anger in their class.
May they be faithful to their friends, not changing loyalties to search for popularity.
May they choose to be generous and choose to be good.
May someone today in her world exercise self-control.
May your spirit be given good soil to grow these things in these kids.

(The 'Fruit of the Spirit' are found in Galatians 5:22 & 23)

Your Word

I pray that all these children would be educated in your word.  That parents would read to them from Scripture and let your word do its work.  That we wouldn't just teach values and behavior, but give them solid food - straight from Scripture - to chew on.  May they know, respect and value your word and always hold their Bible as their most prized possession.

Joy

Today I pray simply for joy for my child.  May she be concerned with nothing she needs, but enjoy each moment, each person, and spread joy wherever she goes and in whatever she does.

A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22).  May she be healing to those around her today because of her joy.

Scripture Songs

I read a verse today and in my head started singing it - it was one from a chapter that we learned thoroughly through a kid's video when M was young.

Lord, I pray that you would provide many ways like that for your word and your values to become ingrained in these children.  That it becomes part of who they are; that they welcome you to become part of who they are, in all areas of their lives.

A Painful Process, Sometimes

Paul writes (Galatians 4:19) that he is in the pains of childbirth - again - until Christ is formed in them (the Galatians).  A vivid picture.  As much work as it is to bring them into this world, it is the same to train them up.  To ensure that they have Christ in their hearts.  It's a long, hard, painful and worthwhile process.

Lord, help us remember the worthwhile part and stick it out through the hardships of raising children for you.

In Step with the Spirit

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Galatians 5:25

Lord, may these children be sensitive to your leading and want to follow you closely.

Straight from Scripture

I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

(Ephesians 1:17-19)

Protection from Stumbling

All kinds of things cause people to stumble in their faith - as a parent, may I watch out for those things and protect my children from them, and not cause them to falter in any way.

(Matthew 18)

Ancestors and Witnesses

Today is Remembrance Day in our country; a day set aside to remember and honor those who have fought for our country and for our freedom and right to live in peace.  Lord, may our children think about those who have gone before them and see themselves as part of the bigger picture.  May they honor those who have gone before, and may they see the value not only of those who have fought for our country, but also of their ancestors who have passed on their faith, strengthening our families and country by their strong belief in you.  May our children commit to faith in you and to passing that on to their descendents.

May they be thankful for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds them and commit to being part of the great cloud of witness for others.  (Hebrews 12:1-3)

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)

The Heavens Declare

Psalm 19 says:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.

May my child look up today and see the beauty in the sky, in the clouds or rays of sun, in the sunset or stars, and think of you, their creator.  May the things around her point her to you and not be missed as something common.

May she see your glory in it and give you glory because of it.

Like Children

Lord, you said it was those like little children, in a humble place, who would enter the kingdom.  May our children, with their natural curiosity and faith, find you now, before cynicism and other opinions take root and make it harder to change.  May we see an example to follow in our children,  and not just hurry them to grow up and be like us.

(Matthew 18)

Whatever is true...

May their thoughts today be drawn to things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent & praiseworthy.

(Philippians 4:8)

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.

Psalm 23

May she come to understand you as the good shepherd by how we parent.
May she know the stability and security of green pastures and still waters, of a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear and food on the table. 
May our presence in her tough times help her understand that you will never leave her nor forsade her, in good tmes or bad. 
May she understand that your rod and staff and our rules and discipline are for her good and for her benefit. 
May those who dislike her not intimidate her because she knows you are with her.
Bless her and fill her cup overflowingly.
And may she show others goodness and love all her days because of you and because we've modeled that for her.

Fruit of the Spirit

I've been thinking a bit about the Fruit of the Spirit lately - if the Spirit is truly in our lives, we will show characteristics like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self control.  I can't pray for those in the lives of those I care about without praying for the root cause - that they would be wanting to be closer to God and then through that His Spirit in their lives would help them produce those things.

That's my prayer for my loved ones today.  A desire to live for Christ, with Christ, following Christ.

(Galatians 5:22,23)

Who's Most Important?

John 3:30 says "He must become greater; I must become less."

Children are ego-centric - their lives revolve around themselves.  I pray that over time they would understand their place in relation to you, and choose to act on your desires rather than making their own wants priority.  May they live for you, and not live selfishly.