Day 6:  August 24- May this child grow to find Your Word more precious than gold, than much pure gold; and sweeter than honey from the comb.  Psalm 19:10

God Your Word is a treasure. It is more valuable than the finest gold. Hide Your Word in the heart of my child. Let it be a road map for his life. May the experience it sweeter than the day  before. - Amen

Day 5- 31 Days of Praying for Children

I recently encountered someone who lost ALL self control. Their words, their expressions, their actions. Unfortunaly I happened to be in the neighborhood and got caught in the cross fire. It was NOT pretty!  

After reading today's scripture, I realized something. The verse says "let them be alert". I began to think about the situation mentioned above. This person was so consumed with letting all their feelings out, that they were not aware of anything else around them. They could have been on fire and I truly believe it would have been to late before they realized it. 

I recall many times praying to The Lord.  Asking Him to grant self control to my little one. It would have been beneficial to me for them to have NOT thrown a tantrum over a toy, but this scripture alludes that it is SO much more than tantrum control. It is for their safety, it is for their well being. When uncontrol sneaks in, it takes over and we are no longer in control of anything.  

Day 5:  August 23-  Father, help this child not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.  1 Thes. 5:6

Dear Lord,  as much as I want my child to be self controlled for MY benefit, I want them to be self controlled for their own benefit. Please cause the seed of self  control to be deeply rooted in their heart. Let them be alert when that "out of control" feeling wants to creep in. We thank you for your Word, and the wisdom it gives. -Amen

Day 4- 31 Days of Praying Scripture for Children

Day 4: August 22- May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection. Psalms 25:21

Recently someone asked me, " how is it that your 8 ( almost 9) year old is still so innocent, carefree?" They commended my husband and I for protecting that youthfulness in her. I left the conversation feeling AWESOME about my parenting skills, but did quietly ask The Lord, yeah but how did we do that...? See I know that all my parenting abilities come from God and from the example I had in my own parents. But what caused this phenomenon? I was sure I had very little to do with the process lol!

After reading today's scripture, this is the answer to the "secret". The combination of integrity and honesty produces the virtue and protection of a persons heart and mind. It is so easy to be "honest" with someone, but we don't always include the integrity part of this verse. So what is integrity?
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes.

Integrity Lord is the key to virtue and protection of our minds and heart Lord. Please help my child see the difference in "just being honest and having integrity as their guide for their words and actions. May they live their life through a lens of principles, morals, values as they make decisions, choose friends, and speak truth. -Amen

Day 3- 31 Days of Praying Scripture for Children

Day 3: August 21- Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them. Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22

In September, our church children will begin learning about the fruit of the Spirit and how God wants it to enhance our life. We will compare it to "JUICY" delicious fruit or a dry, withered branch. As I read and meditate on today's scripture, th...e image of a small child and giant piece of watermelon comes to mind. It is so difficult to eat even a bite of melon without it dripping all over....well, everything. That is the "life of love" God wants us to live. I'm thinking watermelon for supper!

Dear Lord, I thank you for the vivid image and example that Your word gives. Your words truly are LIFE! I pray that the Holy Spirit dwell in my child. That His presence be like Juicy, dripping fruit as my child lives and has being. May I be a sticky, messy example for them Lord as I savor the opportunities to love them. In Jesus sweet name, Amen

Day 2- 31 Days of Praying Scripture for Children

Day 2: August 20- I pray that they may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Peter 3:18

Grace is defined as simple elegance or refined movement.

Knowledge is information and skills acquired through experience or education.

So this scripture is a prayer for action to take place in their life based on the knowledge of Jesus. Let's pray!

Dear Heavenly Father, ...You are the Potter and we are your clay. Please work in our child's life today to refine their inner man. To master these simple refined changes in their heart, based on their growing relationship with Jesus. To know you is to love you. To love you is to obey you. Help my child grow closer to you today Lord. -Amen

31 Days of Prayer for Your Children- Day 1

As a new school year approaches, our church often looks for ways to reach out to parents, teachers, children.  A way that will let them know that God loves them, and so do we.  This summer I ran across a Facebook site "31 Days of Prayer for Your Children"   31 Days of Prayers for Children.  It has such good scriptures selected to pray for kids. 

Our Children's Ministry Team decided we would use this as our jumping off point this Fall.  We made bracelets with each child's name on it, printed out a guide with the scriptures listed, and asked our congregation to take a child (either their own or someone elses) and focus in on God's promises for our kids.  I hope you will check out their FB page, and that you enjoy it as much as I have!

So why pray scriptures?  I have found that praying scripture for your children is so beneficial for several reasons:

• Builds Confidence-  Often times I hear people who are not confident they are praying "the right way".  They need assurance they are praying and God is listening.  I can assure you if you utter God's name, He listens!  Regardless, those who need reassurance can be reminded that this is God's word.  Pray it, and it will surely be the "right thing".  It will be heard, and it will be said in a way that God can see your heart.  Why?  Because it's His heart growing inside you and coming from your mouth.  The Bible says that His word will not return null or void. 
• Develops Inner Person-  As I mentioned above, reading and meditating on scripture allows us to see God's heart.  It helps us get to know Him.  If we are created in His image, then we can see who he wants us to be. 
• Shares God's Promises-  God's promises are shared all throughout scripture.  If we don't take time to discover the promises, then we can't be sure they come true in our life.  Children never forget a promise you make to them, and God doesn't want you to forget His promises to you.

So, We will play catch up (since we are really on Day 4)  Feel free to use this guided prayer as a way to pray for your kids.


Day 1: August 19- Lord, let salvation spring up within this child, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10

Dear Lord, We thank you for holding our children in your hands today. We know that you are the God of salvation. We ask that you cause salvation to spring up within this child. You are the way, the truth, and the light. No one comes to the Father except through You. -Amen

Haulin' water

The house is quiet this afternoon.  My 12 year old had made his way to the Great Outdoors with one set of grandparents. My 8 year old was swept away by the other set of grandparents to travel and see her aunt and uncle in Mississippi. I haven't even let the words utter my mouth "no kids at home for 4 days". I hope I will not jinx it by typing it. So many unfinished projects, planning for fall, and organizing I plan to do.

So In honor of this special occasion, I am carving out some quiet time with The Lord.  Today I am meditating on the scripture in Luke 10 where Jesus sent the 72 to go before him. He sent them out to be a gauge.  To see if His message would be accepted.  If they were welcomed then they were to heal, preach, share Gods love. If they were not welcomed then they were to wipe the dust from their feet and leave.

When we consider this scripture from the prospective of Hospitality, what can we learn?   Hospitality is defined as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guest, visitors, or strangers.  It is quite easy to give a warm welcome to important people. We are great at rolling out the welcome wagon when "it matters". But Webster includes strangers in his list. Often times we are not so welcoming of strangers. How often do we seek them out?

Today we are still called to be a gauge for The Lord. If someone doesn't introduce us to Jesus, how will we know Him. If someone doesn't risk rejection how will we accept Him?  If someone hadn't paved the way, how would we hear?  I remember a "southern gospel song" from my childhood.  "Carry the water to the desert.  Stop this hauling water to the sea.  Seek out the dry and barren places. The sick ones need the dr.  Gonna stop this haulin' water to the sea."  Will you go?  Will you risk?  Will you tell?

As I enjoy this quiet time this week, I ask The Lord to show me the desert. To show me the one who needs to hear. I am ready and willing to roll out the welcome mat.