Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas

I pray that as they experience the wonder and excitement of Christmas, that they would know you are at the center of our celebrations, and spend time thinking about you and why you came as a baby. 

May the adults in their lives not stress the getting, but help them experience the joy of giving. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Boldness

I pray for boldness for our children - to sit with someone new on the bus, to say a kind word when others are being hurtful, to make decisions to speak and act and see others as you do, for your sake.  I pray that they would be willing to step out of their comfort zone with boldness when they know it's right and good.

Monday, December 19, 2011

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.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Respect

May the adults in their lives live in a manner worthy of respect.  May we put high expectations on our children in the way they treat us, and may we treat them with respect so they learn how.  May they have many adults in their lives who are worthy of respect; who are easy to respect so they learn how to respect all adults.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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.

Monday, December 12, 2011

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)

Friday, December 9, 2011

Hope & Encouragement

I pray today for hope and encouragement.  I pray that at some point today, someone would say a kind or encouraging word, or give a kind accepting smile at the right time; that our children would be built up, encouraged, motivated to continue, and that they would feel loved.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

In the Story

May they understand your story, and that they have a part in it.  May they understand their place, both the smallness and the importance of it.  We are but dust, but we can make a difference.  We matter to you and to your story.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Treating Others Well

May each of these children I love seek to treat people well out of a sense that that is what is right, and not our of a selfish desire for popularity.

May they understand that true beauty and real character comes from how your are on the inside, not how you look on the outside.

Friday, December 2, 2011

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.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Measuring Worth

I pray today for how she measures her worth.  May she find it in how much she matters to you and may that be reinforced by how we show that we value her. 

May she not judge her worth based on looks, weight, what she's not allowed to do or what foolish people think of her. 

Guard her mind and what she thinks about herself.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Self Control

Taking my cue from the Inspired to Action Prayer Calendar for Mothers, today I pray for Self Control for M and for all the kids in her school.  May they see that self-restraint is possible, and is a good thing.  Give them successes today in watching what they say and do for the sake of kindness, and may your presence be felt all over that school today.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Baptism

We celebrated a number of Baptisms in church this past Sunday - I pray that these children would consider this step and want to make their faith public.  I pray they would do this in the right time, understand what it is they are doing, and have it be very meaningful for them.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Salvation!

Lord, I pray for the souls of each of these children that we love.  Pursue them, draw them to your love, save them.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Resources to Help You Pray

Kat over at Inspired to Action has a list that I printed off this morning to help me pray with variety.  Do you ever get stuck praying the same things over & over because your kids bug you in the same way over & over?  I'm working on changing me in those areas that bug me, but I'm also aware that using another resource to help direct my prayers is useful.

Here is the Inspired to Action Prayer Calendar for Mothers  The link is at the bottom of her post.

I went looking for this because of a new routine I have of praying for my husband.  I found this list on See Jamie Blog, and keep it in my journal so each day I pray for Sean one thing on the list.  It has a great variety, all Scriptural, and things I don't always think to pray for him.  I thought having a list to pray for Madeline and the other children I try to keep in mind would be a helpful thing.

I hope that these resources are a help to you, too.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Respect for Authority

I pray that M and her cousins and their classmates develop and are taught a respect for authority.  Not to follow blindly, but to listen to, to be polite to, to address properly... to show respect to those older than them and those in authority above them.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Adults of Influence

I pray today for the other adults in our children's lives.  May the people in positions of authority over them treat them with respect and love and teach them your values.  May they never harm their spirits, but encourage and build them up.

Teachers & school staff, bus drivers, piano teachers, coaches, youth leaders...

Monday, November 14, 2011

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)

Friday, November 11, 2011

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)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Remembering

Today the kids at school are having a Remembrance Day assembly.  Lord, I pray that they would understand that peace is a good thing, that they value the country we live in.  I pray that they would honor those who have fought for the peace we enjoy and understand that when it comes to war things are not always black and white.  May they learn to value peace in all areas of their lives and strive to be peacemakers rather than cause conflict.

Monday, November 7, 2011

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)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Protection

Keep my little loved ones safe, Lord, from harm.  Safe from accident and injury.  Protect them from disease.  Protect them from violence.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

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.

Monday, October 31, 2011

A Halloween Prayer

I pray that our kids would have an understanding (and that we would teach them well) of good and evil, of right and wrong.  I pray that evil and wrong and mischief and destruction have no appeal for them, but that creativity and imagination and laughter and treats are the more attractive.  I pray they would have no desire to even pretend evil.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Remembering

May I remember, as I look at my older child, the joy and amazement and wonder I felt when she was new.  The overwhelming love.  May I choose to be amazed by her again, and to love her that fully and unconditionally.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Like Me

This child will turn out like me.

I need to reflect you and be like you so that she will turn out like you.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Heart for the Poor

May her heart reflect your heart for the poor.
May she not see herself as better than or as above anyone else.
May she love the poor.
May she be generous with her money, her time, her goods.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Words

May her mouth bring forth words that are encouraging and not harsh.
May she speak words of life.
May she speak gently.
May she have discernment enough to speak fittingly.

Friday, October 7, 2011

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)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Standing Strong

Lord, I pray you'd help my child find a balance between not wanting to be ridiculed for her faith and standing strong in her love for you.  May she never choose to deny or be ashamed of her faith.  May she view you and your opinion as far more important than that of her friends.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Health

Lord, it's hard to see sick children.  Please keepher immune system healthy enough to fight off sickness and infection.  I pary this bit of a cold is gone soon and doesn't pass on to anyone.  Help me know what I can do to help her feel better and stay healthy.

I pray for the children around the world who do not have the health care we do - strenthen their immunities and give their mothers wisdom as well.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Choosing Behaviors

Lord, today I pray that the things our children choose to imitate from their friends would be the pure, innocent, kind, lovely, excellent things.  May they choose to reject for themselves the ugly, unkind, lazy, rude or coarse things.  I pray you would come to mind as they choose, and if they don't know you, then may the desire for good lead them to you.

Philippians 4:8

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Judging & Critical Thinking

I pray that M and her classmates would be open to hearing the ideas of others without being quick to judge (Romans 14: 10-13), and aware of the need for critical thinking  (Acts17:11) on their parts in order to not blindly accept what is said. I see them more likely to do the first with peers and the second with teachers.  Please help them never to judge too quickly, and to always think critically.  Help them develop those skills.

Monday, September 26, 2011

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.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Making Decisions

I pray that she would understand her motives and choose the wiser option.  Guide us as we help her and allow her to make more of her own choices.  May we know when to allow that and when to make the decisions ourselves.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Whatever is true...

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

(Philippians 4:8)

Monday, September 19, 2011

Creativity

I pray that these children would be creative today and this week.  That they would use their imaginations, make something new, and co-create with you. 

You, Father, are The Creator - may they know you and know joy as they express themselves creatively.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Differences

Lord, I pray these children will be able to enjoy each other's differences.  May they avoid the pride that says the way I am or the way I do things is the best and the others are inferior.  May they respect and learn from each other.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Hard Work

May they learn and understand deeply that worthwhile things take effort.  That trying hard to learn and understand will pay off and will be rewarding.  May they learn this early and be able to apply it to all areas of their lives.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Grandparents

I pray today for grandparents everywhere to realize the powerful influence they can have on their grandchildren, and that they would be intentional about teaching about you, instilling values and helping children have a healthy view of themselves.

Bless the grandparents and give them strength and boldness for this task.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Older & Younger

Even now, Lord, may my child know the importance of having friends who are older and friends who are younger.

People to watch and learn from, and people to set an example to. 

May she have mentors worth following and may they be aware of their responsibility in her life.  May she understand that those who follow her are given by God for her to love and be kind to.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Joy and Wonder

I pray for my child joy and wonder in each moment.  May she live not solely in anticipation of what's coming, but find something to appreciate and enjoy in the present every day.

Monday, August 29, 2011

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.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Passing it On

My prayer today comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-9.  "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

May we as parents not neglect this passing on of our faith.  May we do the job well enough so they are equipped to teach and train their own children.  May they love you with all their hearts, all their souls, and all their strength.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Be the Good

A friend posted this on facebook today.  Wouldn't it be a great thing if all of us who were praying for our children took the time to talk them through some opening day scenerios?
Special request to all you kids returning to school: If you see someone who is struggling to make friends or being bullied because he/she doesn't have many friends or because they are shy or not as pretty or not dressed in the most "in" clothes PLEASE step up. Say HI or at least SMILE at them in the hallway. You never know what that person might face outside of school. Your kindness might just make a BIG difference in someone's life!
Lord Jesus, Be the words my child needs to hear as school comes closer.  You know what it is they will be facing and what children in their schools will need encouragement.  May our children be the good in their schools.  May you be present and protect them; strengthen them to be your hands and your smiles to others.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Contentment

Thinking about back to school shopping these days...

Lord, I pray today for our children to find contentment in you rather than in things.  May they understand deeply that things will not satisfy or make her happy.  May they know that true joy comes from you and can be felt in any circumstance.

Monday, August 8, 2011

a prayer for a daughter

Wise words in this prayer post from Ann Voskamp.  I thought her prayer for her daughters was well worth sharing.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Being Who You Are

Lord, help me see who you have created my daughter to be so I can help her stay & become fully her.

She is beautiful and is needed by this world.  It is cheating you for her to try to become someone she's not.  May we model this for her as we try to be the people you created us to be.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

My Influence

I pray Lord, that I would follow your guidance and correct the bad habits and practices in my life before I pass them on to her.

I want to give her a godly example rather than a flawed one.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Using it for You

Lord, I thank you for her musical ability and pray that she would decide to use it for you.

What gifts does your child have that you pray they would use for the Lord?

Friday, July 29, 2011

Old Friends & New

I pray that she would have enough love in her heart that she can grasp how to hold onto old friends and still make room for new ones.  May she be a friend to all just like her dad was - a friend who challenges to new heights and is a good influence. 

At the same time, may I not expect her to be mature beyond her years.  There are things I pray that she develops.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Extended Family

I thank you for family and the investment Grandparents and aunts and uncles make on my child.  May she learn many good things while she is with them that reinforce what we want her to learn about you.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Camp

She's been at camp all week; I pray the things that the speaker has said and the way her cabin leaders have lived this week make an eternal impact on her.  May camp be a tool to draw her closer to you and for her to see your heart.  May being in nature open her eyes to your beauty everywhere.  May she build lifelong friendships there.

Thank you for our camp and for the way you use it to draw people to you.  Holy Spirit, work in her there today.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Friends and Fools

May she understand the difference between not hanging around with fools, as we've been reading in Proverbs, and being a good influence on someone.

Help her to recognize and see the times that she needs to stay far from someone, and to know when backing away is bieing a good example to others.

May she be a good friend, loyal and wise.

Monday, July 18, 2011

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.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

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)

Monday, July 11, 2011

As She Sees The World

As she sees new things in the world this week - the majestic mountains, the unfamiliar animals, the amazing sights - may she credit you with their creation and may her excitement and wide-eyed wonder be true worship.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Aware & Sensitive

Lord, may my child be aware of you.

May she be sensitive to your proddings to do good, your warnings from evil, and your presence as a help.

May your light shine through her, making everywhere she goes a holier place.  May she delight in being yours.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Love and Beauty

I pray that today, my children would see love in action, would see beauty, and would be a part of spreading that; a part of your kingdom coming in the here and now.

Monday, July 4, 2011

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.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Change

Lord Jesus,

Change is inevitable in this life.  May my child adapt well when things change.  May she make the best of every new situation, take comfort and be bold because she knows you are there with her.  May she even seek change and adventure rather than being scared of it.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Confidence

Lord,

Give her the ability to set boundaries and realize she has the power not to allow meanness to get to her.  May she be confident in who she is and what she'll allow in her life.  May she never use her confidence and power to make someone else feel small or worthless.  May she be part of the solution, offering friendship willingly to those who need safe friends.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Be Strong & Courageous

When Joshua succeeded Moses, Moses said to him, "Be strong and courageous... The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:7,8)

Lord, when you trust my child to do a task, may she face it with courage and trust in you.  May she be a reliable servant you can use to grow your kingdom.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Welcome!

Posts are scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and it all begins this coming week!  You are more than welcome to follow along and make praying for your children more a part of your life.