Prayers of Paul

Dear Father,

We pray for these children that their love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that they will be able to make good decisions about what is best in life so that they will be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:9-11

Father, we ask that you make their love to increase and overflow for each other and for all of your children, just as our love overflows for them. Strengthen their hearts so that they will be blameless and holy in your presence when Jesus comes again.

I Thess. 3:12-13

May you, the God of peace, give them the peace that is beyond understanding, give it to them at all times and in every way.  Always be with them, guarding their hearts and their minds.

II Thess 3: 16 (Philippians 4:7)

May your Love, Father, and the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of your Holy Spirit be with them all.

II Cor. 13:14

Amen

Prayers of Paul - Ephesians

I come before you, Father as it is from you that your whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray for these children that out of your glorious riches that you will make them mighty and strong with power through your Spirit in their inner beings so that Christ may dwell to the fullest in their hearts through faith. That they will be rooted and established in love, that you will give them the power to grasp how Wide and how Long and how High and how Deep is the love of Christ and that they will always be able to experience this love that is beyond comprehension, and that they will be filled up to the brim with your presence in their lives.

Ephesians 3: 14- 19

Now to you who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or even imagine – according to your power that is at work within us to You be the Glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3: 20 -21

Prayers of Paul - Thessalonians

Dear Father,

May you, the God of peace, set these children apart for your service, sanctifying them through and through, that their whole spirit, soul and body will be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thess. 5:23

I pray that you will count them worthy of your calling, that by your power, you will fulfill your purpose in their lives and you will also grant success for their leaps of faith, for their efforts that are prompted by their faith. That the name of Jesus Christ will be glorified in their lives and that they will also be glorified in Christ according to your Grace and the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Thess. 1: 11-12

I ask that you, Father, and your Son, Jesus Christ who have loved us and by your grace have given us eternal encouragement and hope, that you will for these children, encourage their hearts at all times when they need lifting up and strengthen them in every good work that they pursue.

II Thess. 2: 16-17

Amen

Prayers of Paul - Colossians

Dear Father,

I pray that you will fill these children with the knowledge of your will in their lives through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that they may live a life worthy of Jesus Christ and may please you in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in knowledge of you, being strengthened with all power according to your glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience and may always joyfully thank you, Father, who has qualified them to share in the inheritance of all Christians in the Kingdom of light. Father, rescue them from the dominion of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of your Son, whom you love, and in whom they can have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1: 9-14)

I pray that you will help them to stand firm in ALL of your will, that they will be mature and self confident in their faith. (Colossians 4:12)

Amen

Freedom in Christ

Father,

I pray that you guide this children to avoid the trap of legalism for we know that we are all under grace, not under law, if we have been clothed in your son. (Romans 6:14, Galatians 5:4). I know the temptation is always there to attempt to justify ourselves by how well we keep your rules and how easy it is to condemn ourselves when we don't do well at keeping your rules.  But you want our hearts to be at rest in the knowledge of our salvation - asking only that we love other people as Jesus has loved us (I John 3:18-20). I know that we will fail at such a command, but that is where your grace will complete our imperfection as we strive to love others.

Help these little ones to understand clearly that it is love and mercy you want from them - for them to show love and mercy to each other and to others, rather than trying to follow a set of rules. Please help them to understand that you did provide rules, but not so that we prove ourselves to you by following them, but that they are for our own good in this life - because, to your praise and glory, Jesus already paid the price for our failure at rule-keeping and by that abolished rule-keeping as our way of coming to you. Now these children can come to you by calling on the blood of Jesus given for them - and thereby they can approach your throne with confidence knowing they will receive mercy. (Hebrews 4:16).

Amen

Thanksgiving - I Chronicles 16

Dear Father,

May these children always give thanks to you and call on your name. May they tell of what you have done in their lives. May they sing to you, sing praises to you and tell of the wonderful things you have done. Let them bask in the glory of your name and as their hearts seek you, may they rejoice.

May they always look to you for their strength and seek your face. Bring to their memory the wonders you have done in their lives

You are the Lord their God, your judgments are in all the earth. You remember your promises of salvation to them for a thousand generations. May they sing to you and proclaim your salvation day after day. May they declare your glory and speak of your marvelous deeds, for you are great and are worthy of their praise.

You made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before you. Strength and joy are in your dwelling place. May these children ever ascribe to you glory and strength due your name. May they come before you with an offering and worship of a sacrificial life lived in the splendor of your holiness.

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.
Let them say among the nations "The Lord reigns!"
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before you, for you come to judge the earth.

We give thanks to you, oh Lord, for you are good; your love endures forever.

May these children cry out "Save us, our God and Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise."

Praise be to you, God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen

Psalm 46

Dear Father,

Be their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
By your presence, may they not fear,
Though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea.
Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad your dwelling place - the hearts of your followers, as I pray these children will always be.

I pray that you dwell within them, that they will not fall, that you will help them through the darkness of night until the dawn breaks.

Though nations are in uproar and kingdoms fall, you lift your voice and the earth melts and you, the Lord Almighty, will be their fortress in the midst.

Let them see your works, the desolation you bring on the earth against those bent on evil.
Let them see you make wars cease to the ends of the earth as you break the bow and shatter the spear, and burn the shields with fire.

Help them learn to be still, and know that you are God. That you are in control, with power over all nations - power over all the earth.

Be with them at all times, oh Lord Almighty. God of Jacob be their fortress.

Amen

Transformation

Oh Spirit of God,

I pray that you will fill these children and make them your dwelling place, and that, as you do so, you will exert your transforming power to the full. (II Cor 3:17-18). As descendants of Adam, they are under the same curse as all of creation and are incapable of becoming the people you want them to be. But by your power, they can be transformed into your likeness so that they, with unveiled faces, can reflect your radiance in a dark world. Because of our fallen state, though that transformation is truly miraculous, it is also sometimes painful. I pray that as your chisel works off their rough edges, you will help them to see that you, the master craftsman, are working in them to create a thing of beauty. Never allow them to be satisfied with their current state and may they always be able to look back to see, admire and appreciate the positive transformational results of your work. By your power may their spiritual light ever increase in brightness.

Amen

Being Merciful

Father,

You have made it clear to us through your word the importance of mercy. You have told us that you desire mercy, not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6), you have said that you require of us to love mercy (Micah 6:8)you have told us that we will experience judgment without mercy unless we are merciful (James 2:13) and that our sins will not be forgiven unless we are merciful (Matthew 18:32-35).

I pray for these that you will continually soften their hearts by the experiences in their lives and by what they observe in the world around them. Though I pray they do not live in guilt from the mistakes they will make, I pray that they never forget the magnitude of your forgiveness and mercy shown to them, and by remembering your mercy, they will increasingly be merciful to those around them.

The challenge of mercy is that many who suffer hardship and failure, do so because of poor choices they have made and often continue to make. Help these children, oh Lord, understand that everyone makes poor choices in life and, by your protection and mercy, we may be spared the consequences of those choices, while others are not so spared and that, truly, there but by the grace of God go we.  Help them also to remember that, without the sacrifice of your Son, any poor choice on their part would mean eternal condemnation.

Help them to be people known for their mercy.

Amen

Knowledge and Truth

Father,

In you is all knowledge and truth. Your truth is what makes us free. Your truth is what guides us into your ways and into life that has impact. I pray that these children grow to have a desire to learn, to learn about your word, to learn about your creation, to learn about the product of the creativity that you placed within mankind - poetry, prose, wisdom, art, music, dance. Give them an inquisitive mind, a desire for life-long learning. Do not let them be comfortable where they are today, but that they will feel an everpresent need to continue to develop the intellect with which you blessed them.

Help them, though, maintain a perspective about that knowledge - that having such knowledge is not how they receive their value as human beings and that having such knowledge does not make them more valuable as individuals than those who have less knowledge. In sum, do not let them become conceited, but that they always recognize that you love all individuals equally and that knowledge is only a tool that they gain by which they can bless others.

Place in them a unquenching thirst for your word and your truth. Never let them feel that they know all they need to know about your word or about you. As they learn more about you, help them realize how much they do not know so that they are merciful to those who have differing understandings. In all of this, we pray for that day when we will all have perfect knowledge - a day that will come when we are with you.

Amen

Maturity and Responsibility

Father,

You are the perfect example of faithfulness. You keep your word. You fulfill your commitments and promises. I pray that these little ones, though they are rightfully now immature, will gain in maturity beyond their years. Give them wisdom beyond their years. Teach them to see what needs to be done and give them a desire to do it. Put a strength in their heart that draws them to take care of those for whom they are responsible, even when it is costly to do so. Lift their spirits when they grow weary from carrying the load they are alotted as you show them that you are well pleased with their faithfulness. Let them live to see the fruit of their labor and their steadfastness - the fruit shown as those who follow after them live out their example, and the fruit of gratefulness expressed by those who have benefitted from their godly lives.

Amen

Psalm 119

Lord,

May their cries come before you, oh Lord, Give them understanding according to your word.
May their prayers come before you, oh Lord, and deliver them according to your promises.
May their lips overflow with praise, as you teach them your ways.
May their tongues sing of your word, for all your ways are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help them, as they choose your ways.
May they long for your salvation, and your ways be their delight.
Let them live that they may praise you, and may your ways sustain them.
When they stray like lost sheep - seek after them, for they have not forgotten your ways.

Amen

Materialism

Father,

I pray that you will protect these from the lie that "things" can bring happiness. Teach them from experience and from observing others the emptiness that comes from looking to possessions for fulfillment.  Teach them what Jesus taught, that life does not consist of the abundance of our possessions. But also help them to enjoy what possessions they have, not that the possession itself is the source of joy, but that the joy comes from the knowledge that such possessions are a gift from you, the Father, a gift to your children that you love. May they feel your love in every gift you give - from the gift of life itself, to the small things that we sometimes take for granted.

May they look to you, Lord, as their only source of fulfillment and satisfaction. Fill them up fully with your love as they look to you.

Amen

Psalm 23

Dear Father,

For all of these children and ones who are raising them:

You are their shepherd. May they never lack anything they need.
Make them to lie down in the green pastures of your love.
Let them walk beside the quiet waters of your peace.
When they wander, restore their souls to your flock.
Guide their hearts in the paths of your righteousness for your name's glory.
Even though they walk through the darkest valley, may they fear no evil because you make your presence known to them in very real ways.
Comfort them with your discipline. May your rod and staff return them to your flock as gently as possible, but as firmly as necessary.
Prepare a table for them in the presence of the evil one, so that there will be no doubt they are yours and that he has no claim on them.
Anoint their heads with oil - the anointing of their coronation as sons and daughters of the King.
May their cup overflow with your love, joy, peace, goodness and mercy all of the days of their lives, and when their lives here on earth are ended, may they dwell in your house forever.

Amen

Francis of Assisi

Father,

With all my heart I pray this prayer for PAC, MAC, SCP, KMA, TyP, ECH, GEO, ISH, LGC, AGH and AGM.

Lord make them an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let them sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master,

Grant that they may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
Show them that it is in giving that they receive.
It is is forgiving, that they are forgiven.
It is in dying to self, that they truly live.

Amen

Siblings

Father,

Relations between siblings can be a challenge, particularly as our fallen nature comes to the surface. I pray for these children that their relationships with their brothers and sisters and with their step-brothers and step-sisters will be filled more with joy than with heart ache. I pray that those relationships with strengthen them as iron sharpens iron. I pray that their relationship will grow stronger as they grow older so that they can experience the joy of life-long sibling love. May they learn how to be there for each other in times of rejoicing and in times of sorrow. May they strive to be a protector for each other as only siblings can.  May they come together to be a support for their parents as they age. As they have their own children, may their children be able to experience the joy of cousins.

All in all, may they help each other in their journey to be with you for eternity.

Amen

Church

Dear Jesus,

I pray that these children are drawn to your church, imperfect as she is. Show them the value of your family and their value within it. As you fill them with your Spirit, help them to become spiritual "givers", people who give spiritual refreshing and encouragement to those within your body, rather than spiritual "takers", those who rob joy from your followers. Give them perspective when church members do not behave in love, so that they will deeply understand that church is a haven for sinners and the broken, and as such they will always encounter imperfect people, struggling to follow you, but regularly failing in that effort. I pray as they continuously encounter your flawed followers, that their hearts stay soft and compassionate toward your family - save them from becoming hard, calloused and cynical. Let them be a light shining among the struggling and hurting - a strong and gentle spirit on whom people can lean. 

Fill them with your strength and your Spirit so that they have the stamina and wisdom to serve in this way. Help them to always know that in order to serve and minister fellow Christians, they must be present among your people. Help them to quickly learn that attending church is not for the purpose of worship as we often define it, but that it is for the purpose of being there to encourage fellow followers - it is for the purpose of being a spiritual medic, going into the battlefield to help heal and minister to the wounded.

And when these children have their times of hurting, may they look to their Christian brothers and sisters for strength, rather than pulling away in embarrassment.

May they each have great impact for good in your church and in your Kingdom.

Amen

Marriage

Father,

I realize that there is no requirement that these children marry as some are called to be single. If that is any of their callings, I pray that they will embrace their singleness and use it to serve you. But if they choose to marry, I pray that you are now raising up a godly young man or woman for each of them who will be their future spouse. I pray that you help them to understand that they should not look for a husband or a wife to "complete" them, rather that they become a complete person in you and that they come into the marriage already complete. May they take seriously their marriage vows and look to you for strength to hang in there during the hard times. Help them to see the blessing that they can be to your kingdom as a married couple. I pray they live to experience a long marriage and the joy of a life-long love. If they should have children, I pray that you give them wisdom in raising those children to serve you.

Amen

Education

Lord,

I know that a person's value is not dependant on their level of education or achievement. Our value to you is that we are and that we are yours. But this world requires that we provide for ourselves and an education is important in that. And generally an education allows us to realize more of our potential. So I pray that you grant these children a quality educational opportunity. Grant them good schools to attend and teachers who are godly, who care about their students and who are skilled in teaching and motivating students. Protect them from teachers and administrators who are mentally unbalanced or abusive. Give them the ability to focus and concentrate on their studies. Give them a clear picture of the importance of their education. Instill in them the desire to excel. Surround them with peers who care about their studies and their grades. Help them to develop perspective to know the importance of education, but not to become arrogant about the education they achieve.

Amen

Teens

Father,

As PAC has reached the teenage years and MAC, SCP and KMA are fast approaching them, my prayers for them will grow stronger and more intense. I pray that you protect them from the evil one with your mighty angels. Give their parents and step-parents wisdom in guiding them through these years. I pray that you bring peers of godly influence into their lives. I pray that you remove those who would lead them into temptation. I pray that you protect them from the temptations that they will face, from alcohol and drugs, from sexual temptation and from the temptations that come through the internet.

The issues they face and their parents face seem so overwhelming and powerful. There is a feeling of helplessness when facing the forces of evil. But as Elisha said to his servant, you say to us - "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are greater than those who are with them" II Kings 6:16. Open our eyes so that we can see the chariots of fire that are on our side and on the side of these precious children. Help them to see clearly the future, the consequences of poor decisions and the benefit of godly decisions. Show them your glory and power so that they will look to you for their strength instead of looking for peer approval. Give them a clear vision of your purpose for their lives so they chart a path that is in accordance with your will. May they be a light shining in the darkness, a light that draws others to you.

Amen

Health

Dear Father,

We often take for granted the health of these children. Though they have had and continue to have their share of childhood illnesses, when I look around and see what many children are dealing with, I realize how blessed we are that these children have good physical and mental health. For that I thank you so much. I also pray that you continue to grant them good health so that they are able to lead long, healthy and productive lives in your service.  Give insight and extra skill to their medical care providers that they will detect any health issues early enough that any condition can be effectively treated.

Amen

The Home

Lord,

I pray for the marriages of the parents of these children, that they be strong. Give their parents the strength to hang in during the hard times, that they be full of grace and mercy toward their spouse. I pray that your Spirit of Peace will be powerful in their homes and that your mighty angels will surround the homes to protect the families from the evil one's attack. May their parent's commitment to and relationship with you grow ever stronger so that they can be the example of godly living for their children.

Lord, I know that life is hard and that a relationship between two imperfect human beings is complex and often difficult. But I pray that they are allowed to experience the joy and fulfillment of a life-long love, and thereby to model that for their children.

Amen

Wisdom

Father,

I pray for those who are raising these children, that you will give them wisdom. These are difficult times, difficult to raise children to be dedicated Christians. With all the things that can go wrong, all the temptations into which children can fall, all the ways that a life can get off track, it can be simply overwhelming for those who love these children and who are attempting to raise them in your ways. They will and do have difficult decisions to make, how much freedom to allow, how much protection to give, what to do about friends, boyfriends, girlfriends who may not be the best influence. There will be times when they simply don't feel up to the task - not enough wisdom. Walk beside them in these times. Put your arms around them. Draw them close. May they always reach out to you in prayer - prayers for wisdom and guidance - prayers for protection from the evil one. I pray that you grant those prayers for wisdom, guidance and protection, that you fill them full of your wisdom, that you give them insight and discernment so that they can know what is going on in the lives of these kids, that they can know which friends are good influences and which are not.

Since each child is different and each responds differently, give those who are raising them wisdom as to what approaches, what techniques, what forms of discipline and encouragement is most effective for each child. I pray that their relationship with each child will strengthen and, in time as the child matures into adulthood, that they are all blessed for that relationship to transition into one of life-long friendship.

Raising these children is the most noble of responsibilities. Reward them greatly for their work.

Amen

Their Purpose

Father,

I pray for each of these, PAC, MAC, SCP, KMA, TyP, ECH, GEO, ISH, LGC, AGH and AGM. First, thank you for them, for the life and health you have given them and for the joy that is within each of them. Secondly, I pray that you show them each the special purpose you have designed for them - that they will know that design and embrace it. I pray that as they embrace your design for them, that you expand the influence of their lives so that many will be influenced for good and that the eternal destiny of many wll be changed - that many will spend eternity with you because of their influence. Give them the joy that can only come by being a part of your plan. Show them in very special and very specific ways what your plan is for them and that you want their lives to be significant. Help each of us to encourage them in finding your path.

Amen

Be Strong and Courageous

Dear Father,

I pray the each of these children will grow to answer your call to be strong and courageous. You have told your people to "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the  Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). I pray that out of your glorious riches you will strengthen them (make them mighty) through your Holy Spirit in their inner being (Eph 3:16). Teach them that the Christian life was not meant to be easy or safe, but to be bold and courageous. That they are not meant to live an ordinary life, but one that is extraordinary, filled with your power. Help them to see that even if they live what might look like an "ordinary" life, they can still be bold in their faith and courageous in reaching out to the world around them. Give them the courage to speak and live boldly for you, using all the talents you have given them.

Amen

The Great Decision

Father,

There is no more important prayer than this one. I pray that all those who call me grandad will make that most important decision, to choose to call Jesus Lord of their lives. I pray that I live to see each of them make that decision when they clothe themselves in Christ in baptism. I long to celebrate each of those days. In that day I pray that your Spirit will fill each of them with His fullness and give them the strength and power to live out their decision in their daily lives. Bring strong Christian influences into their lives, bring godly friends into their lives. And for those who may try to pull them away from their walk with Jesus, I pray you remove their ungodly influence.

Father, you know that I have no righteousness of my own. But I trust the promise of a righteousness from you through faith in Jesus (Rom 3:21-22) whereby I am justified before you and stand perfect in your eyes - even though I am very far from perfect. By that grace, I am saved and when my time on this earth is done, I know that I will live with you forever. Because I firmly believe that I will be with you, I pray that none of these I am praying for will miss the goal of heaven. I pray that, by their faith in Jesus, each of them will join me there with you. I do not want to miss any of them. Grant me that prayer, oh Lord. Nothing is more important. I will give anything, pay any price not to lose a single one.

Amen