Good Friday

Father God, may each of these children that I care about know today that you love them.  May they know the measures that you took to allow them to be close to you.  May they hear what Jesus went through on the first Good Friday and understand that it was done for them.  May we model sacrificial love for them, but may we point them to the one who gave it all and loves them far more than we possible can.  Draw them to you through your Son, Jesus Christ.

May they understand their need for forgiveness and accept your gift of forgiveness and cleansing and fresh starts.  May they grow up knowing how to repent and start anew.  May they come back to the cross time and time again, knowing your sacrifice and loving you for it.

Draw them, Lord Jesus, draw them to you.

The Spiritual Side

Today is the last day of school before the kids are out for a week and a half Easter break.  Lord, I pray that they would hear this year, for the first time or the hundredth, what Easter is all about.  I pray that they would be told what is good about Good Friday.  I pray for the adults in the lives of each of these kids at M's school, and for each of my nieces and nephews, to be bold in taking the opportunity to tell your story.  May your story be fresh in each of these little one's hearts this weekend, and may they understand that the Easter break is not just a holiday away from school, but a celebration of how you have redeemed us for yourself.

Responsibility

I pray for these children in the process of learning responsibility.  May we as parents have the proper balance of high expectations and appropriate discipline, and also grace & kindness.

May my girl know she is loved and not just feel hard done by.  may she see the end result and what that for herself and try.

Wisdom & Foolishness & Popularity

Weaken the power of those who oppose my child; may their influence be revealed for the foolishness that it is.  May the righteousness of those who follow you seem more appealing.

May her peers prefer to follow right and true ways rather than foolishness that will lead to wickedness.

May she see what is popular in the right light, through the filter of wisdom.

May she understand that popularity that will last is the kindness in a person, and not come from following external fads or treating others in a lowly manner.

Camps

I pray today that children have opportunities to go to camps - places where they can learn about you from adults willing to share their lives and show them a great time.  Places where the quiet and your nature can speak for you.  Places where good is encouraged and your word is taught unashamedly.

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.

May They Thrive

I pray that my children would thrive in new experiences - that more responsibility, being on a team, adapting to changes - would all contribute to them being happy individuals. 

May opportunities for growth like these not cause them too much stress, but bring them joy.