Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)
Wise Father,
I pray for these children and those who are raising them that they understand and embrace the basic truth that your principles are the only way to happiness and peace. People often become bored with following your ways, deceived by the evil one into thinking that there are better paths to happiness. When following your ways becomes routine or just "too hard", we can be deceived into looking for an easier way or a way that is more "exciting".
I pray that you give them wisdom and decernment to be able to see through the lies, and understand your truth so they are not deceived. Bring good examples of godly living into their paths and may they also see examples of the destruction of lives that comes from rejecting your ways.
As they fully embrace your ways, may they become those godly examples for others to follow.
Amen
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
If anything is Praiseworthy - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
I strikes me that thinking on things that are worthy of praise means that we should be seeking out things that are so worthy. First, I pray for these children and those who are raising them, that they will constantly look for things you are doing in their lives for which they can be thankful and praise you. May they reach the point that they are doing this as a constant stream of thought.
I pray also that they will be seeking out things in other people that are worthy of praise and that they will voice that praise with sincerity such that they are a source of encouragement for those who are striving to do noble things.
May they also be willing to give themselves credit for praiseworthy things they have done and realize that "humility" does not mean that they can't feel good about and acknowledge the good that they do, through your power working within them.
Amen
I strikes me that thinking on things that are worthy of praise means that we should be seeking out things that are so worthy. First, I pray for these children and those who are raising them, that they will constantly look for things you are doing in their lives for which they can be thankful and praise you. May they reach the point that they are doing this as a constant stream of thought.
I pray also that they will be seeking out things in other people that are worthy of praise and that they will voice that praise with sincerity such that they are a source of encouragement for those who are striving to do noble things.
May they also be willing to give themselves credit for praiseworthy things they have done and realize that "humility" does not mean that they can't feel good about and acknowledge the good that they do, through your power working within them.
Amen
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
If anything is Excellent - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
I pray that these children come to appreciate excellence and strive to achieve it. I pray they understand the difference between perfection (which seeking perfection can become unhealthy) and excellence, which we should always be trying to achieve. I pray that these children will not be satisfied with mediocrity in any aspect of their lives, but will always strive to improve and will seek out examples of excellence to emulate. I pray that they also inspire those around them to achieve excellence, and by that develop and show true leadership.
Amen
I pray that these children come to appreciate excellence and strive to achieve it. I pray they understand the difference between perfection (which seeking perfection can become unhealthy) and excellence, which we should always be trying to achieve. I pray that these children will not be satisfied with mediocrity in any aspect of their lives, but will always strive to improve and will seek out examples of excellence to emulate. I pray that they also inspire those around them to achieve excellence, and by that develop and show true leadership.
Amen
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Happy Birthday AGH!!
Dear Father,
Thank you for bringing AGH into our family. For the unifying force that she is as two families have come together. Help KMA and ECH to be good big sisters to her, guiding her and protecting her. Be with JH and TH as they raise her. Give them great wisdom and patience. I pray that you protect her from the evil one. Protect her from illness as she has struggled so with her respiratory condition. May she continue to be a joy to her parents and sisters and to all around her.
Amen
Thank you for bringing AGH into our family. For the unifying force that she is as two families have come together. Help KMA and ECH to be good big sisters to her, guiding her and protecting her. Be with JH and TH as they raise her. Give them great wisdom and patience. I pray that you protect her from the evil one. Protect her from illness as she has struggled so with her respiratory condition. May she continue to be a joy to her parents and sisters and to all around her.
Amen
Monday, April 23, 2012
Whatever is Admirable - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
I pray that these children are able to put their egos aside so that they can acknowledge and appreciate qualities in others that should be admired, that they not only appreciate those qualities, but seek to emulate them. I pray that you give them wisdom to discern what is truly admirable in your eyes, and not that which is only admirable by the standards of this world.
I pray that they also seek out admirable qualities in people that at first might not seem admirable - that they look for good in all people.
I also pray that through self examination, they discern that which is admirable in themselves so that they seek to grow those attributes and improve upon them.
I pray though, that they ultimately look to the example of Jesus for that which is truly admirable and compare anything or anyone else that they seek to admire against His standard.
Amen
I pray that these children are able to put their egos aside so that they can acknowledge and appreciate qualities in others that should be admired, that they not only appreciate those qualities, but seek to emulate them. I pray that you give them wisdom to discern what is truly admirable in your eyes, and not that which is only admirable by the standards of this world.
I pray that they also seek out admirable qualities in people that at first might not seem admirable - that they look for good in all people.
I also pray that through self examination, they discern that which is admirable in themselves so that they seek to grow those attributes and improve upon them.
I pray though, that they ultimately look to the example of Jesus for that which is truly admirable and compare anything or anyone else that they seek to admire against His standard.
Amen
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Whatever is Lovely - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
I'm certain that it is no coincidence that a key point yesterday in my cousin's eulogy of my aunt was Philippians 4:8 and particularly "whatever is lovely", the next in this series of prayer blogs, my cousin knowing nothing about this blog. When he said those words, I smiled at how you often do things like that, small things, just to remind me that you are there.
My prayer for these children and for those raising them is that they seek out what is lovely in your creation. Though as conscientious followers of your Son, we cannot and should not ignore what is wrong with this fallen world and the suffering and heart ache that comes from the current imperfection of our world, your servant Paul is telling us that we need to lift our eyes from the muck and messiness of this world to see that which is still lovely. Doing so allows us a glimpse of creation as you intended it and as it will again be some day when you redeem it. And in that is hope.
I pray that they do not become so busy in their lives or so calloused of heart that they do not stop often to admire beauty and thank you for it.
But I also pray that they seek beauty in things that may not at first glance appear to have beauty, both in nature, but more importantly in people, your children. So quickly we categorize people as beautiful, plain or ugly. We have an easier time seeing the inward beauty of people who are not beautiful in physical appearance, though not without effort to overcome first impressions. But we have great difficulty seeing beauty in people who have great inward ugliness (or at least their inward ugliness is more apparent than the rest of us). I pray that you instill in these children, a strong sense that in each person, there is inward beauty if they will look for it and cultivate it, though sometimes it will be well hidden. I pray that they will seek this beauty and encourage it. To understand that weeds often have beautiful flowers and that one person's weed is another person's treasure and that with you there is beauty in all.
I pray that they also see the beauty in themselves. Self examination is important as we strive to improve. But being overly critical of ourselves is harmful. I pray that they are able to healthily evaluate themselves, but that they give themselves permission to also seek out, acknowledge and admire the beautiful things about themselves, particularly their inward beauty. Help them to know and appreciate that these are flowers that you have planted within them, a part of your created beauty and that they can be thankful for what you are doing in their lives and to recognize that it is not egotistical to accept that they are your children, created in your image, and though they are, as is all creation, corrupted by sin, there is still your created beauty about them and within them. And this is what will remain when you redeem them at the renewing of all things.
Amen
I'm certain that it is no coincidence that a key point yesterday in my cousin's eulogy of my aunt was Philippians 4:8 and particularly "whatever is lovely", the next in this series of prayer blogs, my cousin knowing nothing about this blog. When he said those words, I smiled at how you often do things like that, small things, just to remind me that you are there.
My prayer for these children and for those raising them is that they seek out what is lovely in your creation. Though as conscientious followers of your Son, we cannot and should not ignore what is wrong with this fallen world and the suffering and heart ache that comes from the current imperfection of our world, your servant Paul is telling us that we need to lift our eyes from the muck and messiness of this world to see that which is still lovely. Doing so allows us a glimpse of creation as you intended it and as it will again be some day when you redeem it. And in that is hope.
I pray that they do not become so busy in their lives or so calloused of heart that they do not stop often to admire beauty and thank you for it.
But I also pray that they seek beauty in things that may not at first glance appear to have beauty, both in nature, but more importantly in people, your children. So quickly we categorize people as beautiful, plain or ugly. We have an easier time seeing the inward beauty of people who are not beautiful in physical appearance, though not without effort to overcome first impressions. But we have great difficulty seeing beauty in people who have great inward ugliness (or at least their inward ugliness is more apparent than the rest of us). I pray that you instill in these children, a strong sense that in each person, there is inward beauty if they will look for it and cultivate it, though sometimes it will be well hidden. I pray that they will seek this beauty and encourage it. To understand that weeds often have beautiful flowers and that one person's weed is another person's treasure and that with you there is beauty in all.
I pray that they also see the beauty in themselves. Self examination is important as we strive to improve. But being overly critical of ourselves is harmful. I pray that they are able to healthily evaluate themselves, but that they give themselves permission to also seek out, acknowledge and admire the beautiful things about themselves, particularly their inward beauty. Help them to know and appreciate that these are flowers that you have planted within them, a part of your created beauty and that they can be thankful for what you are doing in their lives and to recognize that it is not egotistical to accept that they are your children, created in your image, and though they are, as is all creation, corrupted by sin, there is still your created beauty about them and within them. And this is what will remain when you redeem them at the renewing of all things.
Amen
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Whatever is Pure. Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
We are bambarded on every front with that which is impure. Certainly hard core pornography is just a click away, but more polluting to the mind is the "soft" pornography which we simply cannot escape. It is everywhere. Mainstream television, advertisements and movies are full of sexual innuendo and implicit and explicit sexual situations. It will be a major life long battle for these children if they are to keep themselves from being polluted by the world. But as you well know, it impossible to empty our minds of things we wish to not think about. Thus your scripture tells us, instead, to think about things that are pure.
I pray that these children seek wholesome music, movies and television shows. I pray that they read books and listen to music that builds their spiritual strength. Give them a desire for these things and an awareness of the addictive danger of even soft pornography and the emotional and spiritual corruption that comes from ungodly movies, television and music.
Amen
We are bambarded on every front with that which is impure. Certainly hard core pornography is just a click away, but more polluting to the mind is the "soft" pornography which we simply cannot escape. It is everywhere. Mainstream television, advertisements and movies are full of sexual innuendo and implicit and explicit sexual situations. It will be a major life long battle for these children if they are to keep themselves from being polluted by the world. But as you well know, it impossible to empty our minds of things we wish to not think about. Thus your scripture tells us, instead, to think about things that are pure.
I pray that these children seek wholesome music, movies and television shows. I pray that they read books and listen to music that builds their spiritual strength. Give them a desire for these things and an awareness of the addictive danger of even soft pornography and the emotional and spiritual corruption that comes from ungodly movies, television and music.
Amen
Monday, April 16, 2012
Whatever is Right - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
I pray that these children develop a strong sense of ethics and integrity. I pray that they will challenge themselves as they make decisions to ask themselves the piercing question - What is right?". Not what can be justified, not what can be rationalized, but what is the right thing to do. And then I pray that you instill in them the courage to do the right thing.
Amen
I pray that these children develop a strong sense of ethics and integrity. I pray that they will challenge themselves as they make decisions to ask themselves the piercing question - What is right?". Not what can be justified, not what can be rationalized, but what is the right thing to do. And then I pray that you instill in them the courage to do the right thing.
Amen
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Whatever is Noble - Philippians 4:8
Dear Father,
It is so easy in our society to dwell on what is wrong with the world. What is wrong with the world irritates us, scares us and even amuses us. Focusing on what is wrong leads to cynicism, and, unfortunately it is popular to play the cynic. But cynicism denies your power. It assumes that there is nothing that can be done about what is wrong with the world. The worst and ugliest form of cynicism, and I confess I have walked this line, is Christian cynicism which is founded on a view that this world is so broken that there is no hope for it and therefore we just wait for the end when we'll all go to heaven.
But I do not believe that is what you intend for us. Yes the world is fallen and needs redeeming. But it is still your creation and the beauty of your creation is still there, even though corrupted. Though corrupted, there is still your beauty in nature. And there is still your beauty in humankind.
What I believe you are telling us through your servant Paul, is that we should not dwell on what is broken, rather we should look for and dwell on the beauty of your creation that still shines through the corruption. We see the light of your beauty shine through nature and we see it shine through our fellow man, and that we should focus on those rays of light that shine through the storm clouds of the fallen world, rather than focusing on the looming clouds. It is not a matter of abandoning all reality, rather it is a matter of focus and thankfullness for the beauty that is.
Father, I pray for these children and the ones raising them that you keep them from cynicism and from drifting into developing a cynical heart. Give them wisdom to recognize the warning signs of cynicism and the dangers of becoming absorbed in that thought pattern. Instead, open their eyes to the things, places, people and times that radiate the beauty of your perfect creation and give them a desire to look for that beauty, to dwell on it, to admire it and to praise you and thank you because of it. May they particularly search for that beauty in individuals around them, to see the rays of light shining out of fallen, imperfect human beings and to recognize that in each of those individuals, the spark of your original intent for mankind exists and will show itself.
Amen
It is so easy in our society to dwell on what is wrong with the world. What is wrong with the world irritates us, scares us and even amuses us. Focusing on what is wrong leads to cynicism, and, unfortunately it is popular to play the cynic. But cynicism denies your power. It assumes that there is nothing that can be done about what is wrong with the world. The worst and ugliest form of cynicism, and I confess I have walked this line, is Christian cynicism which is founded on a view that this world is so broken that there is no hope for it and therefore we just wait for the end when we'll all go to heaven.
But I do not believe that is what you intend for us. Yes the world is fallen and needs redeeming. But it is still your creation and the beauty of your creation is still there, even though corrupted. Though corrupted, there is still your beauty in nature. And there is still your beauty in humankind.
What I believe you are telling us through your servant Paul, is that we should not dwell on what is broken, rather we should look for and dwell on the beauty of your creation that still shines through the corruption. We see the light of your beauty shine through nature and we see it shine through our fellow man, and that we should focus on those rays of light that shine through the storm clouds of the fallen world, rather than focusing on the looming clouds. It is not a matter of abandoning all reality, rather it is a matter of focus and thankfullness for the beauty that is.
Father, I pray for these children and the ones raising them that you keep them from cynicism and from drifting into developing a cynical heart. Give them wisdom to recognize the warning signs of cynicism and the dangers of becoming absorbed in that thought pattern. Instead, open their eyes to the things, places, people and times that radiate the beauty of your perfect creation and give them a desire to look for that beauty, to dwell on it, to admire it and to praise you and thank you because of it. May they particularly search for that beauty in individuals around them, to see the rays of light shining out of fallen, imperfect human beings and to recognize that in each of those individuals, the spark of your original intent for mankind exists and will show itself.
Amen
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Whatever is True - Philippians 4:8
Righteous Father,
I pray that these children resist the post-modern view that there is no such thing as truth. Your word tells us that there is in fact truth and that such truth is found only in you and in your word. If these children hold to that, some will accuse them of being narrow minded and even ignorant. When that happens to them, they will second guess what they believe. I do not view that as a bad thing. I believe that truth, your truth, is not fragile. It will stand up to scrutiny and challenge. However, I pray that they never buy into the lie that there is no truth or that truth is relative. I pray also that, by a combination or your obvious presence in their lives, your wisdom in their minds and heart and an intellect that you sharpen, they will always look to you for truth.
I pray that they also "think on these things", that they care deeply about truth and think on it often. I believe strongly that the world needs thinking Christians, Christians who excercise their intellect both to decifer truth and to apply that truth to the problems and issues of this world. Instill in them a desire to be "ready to give an answer" to those who question their faith. (I Peter 3:15).
And lastly, Father, I acknowledge that it is one thing to appreciate, pursue and know truth, but it is another to apply and follow truth. Too many truth knowers in this world are hypocrites. "Having a form of godliness, but denying its power" (II Timothy 3:5). As their knowledge of truth grows, help them to keep their faith strong and pure, help them to avoid the trap of arrogance (because "knowledge puffs up" - I Corinthians 8:1) and help them to deeply understand that if they can "fathom all knowledge" but do not practice your love, they are nothing. (I Corinthians 13:2).
Amen
I pray that these children resist the post-modern view that there is no such thing as truth. Your word tells us that there is in fact truth and that such truth is found only in you and in your word. If these children hold to that, some will accuse them of being narrow minded and even ignorant. When that happens to them, they will second guess what they believe. I do not view that as a bad thing. I believe that truth, your truth, is not fragile. It will stand up to scrutiny and challenge. However, I pray that they never buy into the lie that there is no truth or that truth is relative. I pray also that, by a combination or your obvious presence in their lives, your wisdom in their minds and heart and an intellect that you sharpen, they will always look to you for truth.
I pray that they also "think on these things", that they care deeply about truth and think on it often. I believe strongly that the world needs thinking Christians, Christians who excercise their intellect both to decifer truth and to apply that truth to the problems and issues of this world. Instill in them a desire to be "ready to give an answer" to those who question their faith. (I Peter 3:15).
And lastly, Father, I acknowledge that it is one thing to appreciate, pursue and know truth, but it is another to apply and follow truth. Too many truth knowers in this world are hypocrites. "Having a form of godliness, but denying its power" (II Timothy 3:5). As their knowledge of truth grows, help them to keep their faith strong and pure, help them to avoid the trap of arrogance (because "knowledge puffs up" - I Corinthians 8:1) and help them to deeply understand that if they can "fathom all knowledge" but do not practice your love, they are nothing. (I Corinthians 13:2).
Amen
Friday, April 13, 2012
Guard their Minds - Philippians 4:7
Dear Jesus,
I also learn from Philippians 4:7, that prayer leads to peace which leads to you guarding our minds in you. These children are hit on every side by a society that is increasingly alienated from you and hostile toward you and what you represent. Ungodly images, attitudes, viewpoints, and language are constantly assaulting their minds. Their minds cannot be guarded by shear effort on their part or on the part of those raising them. Only your power can guard their minds. And your power is unleashed by their and our prayers, and thereby your miraculous peace enters their hearts and with that peace as a foundation - a peace that comes by them resting in you and resting in their knowledge of their true identity in you - on that foundation you build a hedge around their minds to protect them from the contamination of this world.
I pray that is what you do. I pray that you build a hedge around them and give them a strong sense of your presence. At the same time, though by your guarding they do not become "of the world", I pray that you empower them to be in the world. That is a hard road, to be in the world and having an impact for you in the world, and yet not be contaminated by it. But I pray you empower them to walk that road so that they have the greatest possible impact for your cause as they wade into the mess this world has become, without being pulled down by it.
Amen
I also learn from Philippians 4:7, that prayer leads to peace which leads to you guarding our minds in you. These children are hit on every side by a society that is increasingly alienated from you and hostile toward you and what you represent. Ungodly images, attitudes, viewpoints, and language are constantly assaulting their minds. Their minds cannot be guarded by shear effort on their part or on the part of those raising them. Only your power can guard their minds. And your power is unleashed by their and our prayers, and thereby your miraculous peace enters their hearts and with that peace as a foundation - a peace that comes by them resting in you and resting in their knowledge of their true identity in you - on that foundation you build a hedge around their minds to protect them from the contamination of this world.
I pray that is what you do. I pray that you build a hedge around them and give them a strong sense of your presence. At the same time, though by your guarding they do not become "of the world", I pray that you empower them to be in the world. That is a hard road, to be in the world and having an impact for you in the world, and yet not be contaminated by it. But I pray you empower them to walk that road so that they have the greatest possible impact for your cause as they wade into the mess this world has become, without being pulled down by it.
Amen
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Guard their Hearts - Philippians 4:7
Dear Jesus,
As I read Philippians 4:7, I understand that in some way prayer leads to peace which then allows heart and mind to be guarded in you. As I reflect on what it means to guard their hearts, we think of emotion and love. And certainly I pray that their emotional relationships are guarded in and by you. That their emotional motivation will center on you, and out of their relationship with you, healthy emotional attachments and healthy emotional responses will emerge, and that health will exist because they are at peace with you, at peace with their circumstances and at peace with themselves. All brought about through a healthy prayer walk.
But heart here means more than emotion. It means a person's entire being, everything about a person. That which sustains us, that which motivates us and the whole of who we are. A person's destructive path begins when that person loses their identity. When they forget who they are - when they forget that they are a loved child of God.
My prayer for these children and for those who are raising them is that, though a solid prayer walk, you give them unnatural peace and that in that peace, you guard their hearts by returning them constantly to the truth that they are children of the King, loved children of the Creator, created in His likeness - royal children. And help them to evaluate every circumstance in that light.
Amen
As I read Philippians 4:7, I understand that in some way prayer leads to peace which then allows heart and mind to be guarded in you. As I reflect on what it means to guard their hearts, we think of emotion and love. And certainly I pray that their emotional relationships are guarded in and by you. That their emotional motivation will center on you, and out of their relationship with you, healthy emotional attachments and healthy emotional responses will emerge, and that health will exist because they are at peace with you, at peace with their circumstances and at peace with themselves. All brought about through a healthy prayer walk.
But heart here means more than emotion. It means a person's entire being, everything about a person. That which sustains us, that which motivates us and the whole of who we are. A person's destructive path begins when that person loses their identity. When they forget who they are - when they forget that they are a loved child of God.
My prayer for these children and for those who are raising them is that, though a solid prayer walk, you give them unnatural peace and that in that peace, you guard their hearts by returning them constantly to the truth that they are children of the King, loved children of the Creator, created in His likeness - royal children. And help them to evaluate every circumstance in that light.
Amen
Happy Birthday SCP!
(posting yesterday's this morning)
Dear Father,
SCP is such a bright and talented young man, and yes, I realize he is becoming a young man. I pray in the coming year, as he approaches the teen age, that you bring particularly strong positive spiritual influences into his life. I pray that some of those influences are adults, but that some are peers - that you bring spiritually strong and spiritually dedicated Christian peers into his sphere of influence. I pray that he too, begin developing his own spiritual leadership skills so that he will be that positive spiritual influence in the lives of other children.
In all things, I pray that your powerful angels surround him and protect him from the attack of the evil one.
Amen
Dear Father,
SCP is such a bright and talented young man, and yes, I realize he is becoming a young man. I pray in the coming year, as he approaches the teen age, that you bring particularly strong positive spiritual influences into his life. I pray that some of those influences are adults, but that some are peers - that you bring spiritually strong and spiritually dedicated Christian peers into his sphere of influence. I pray that he too, begin developing his own spiritual leadership skills so that he will be that positive spiritual influence in the lives of other children.
In all things, I pray that your powerful angels surround him and protect him from the attack of the evil one.
Amen
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Peace beyond Understanding
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Dear Jesus,
You bring peace to our hearts and minds. Peace when it doesn't make sense that we should have peace. These children will have many times in their lives when anxiety is the natural expected response to their situation. And many times the expected level of anxiety will be extreme. But you give a promise that such doesn't have to be. That through you living in our hearts, our response can and should be peace in the midst of the storm. I know that it is impossible for us to simply decide to be peace filled. It requires the miracle of your indwelling Spirit for this to happen. Our only role is to pray and you do the rest.
May these children and the ones raising them develop a pattern of prayer followed by receiving your peace so that that becomes habit and their inner beings know that the only thing that separates them from peace is prayer. May that become as natural to them as breathing. And may the lack of prayer have the same effect on them as attempting to hold their breath. That before too long they are gasping for your presence.
Amen
Dear Jesus,
You bring peace to our hearts and minds. Peace when it doesn't make sense that we should have peace. These children will have many times in their lives when anxiety is the natural expected response to their situation. And many times the expected level of anxiety will be extreme. But you give a promise that such doesn't have to be. That through you living in our hearts, our response can and should be peace in the midst of the storm. I know that it is impossible for us to simply decide to be peace filled. It requires the miracle of your indwelling Spirit for this to happen. Our only role is to pray and you do the rest.
May these children and the ones raising them develop a pattern of prayer followed by receiving your peace so that that becomes habit and their inner beings know that the only thing that separates them from peace is prayer. May that become as natural to them as breathing. And may the lack of prayer have the same effect on them as attempting to hold their breath. That before too long they are gasping for your presence.
Amen
Sunday, April 8, 2012
He is Risen!
Redeeming Father,
It is obvious when we look around that there is something wrong with the world. When you decided to limit your own power and allow humankind free will, we pretty much made a mess of things. You knew we would do that and you planned your redeeming act from the beginning. And in your Son's death we have forgiveness. But moreover, in your Son's resurrection we have hope. He is the "first fruit" of resurrection (I Corinthians 15:20), and because of that our hope is in our own resurrection and the redemption of all creation. Your servant Paul tells us that without the truth of the resurrection, we are without hope and our lives are to be pitied. But with the truth of the resurrection and our faith in it, we can overcome this life and its trials.
I pray for all of these, these children and for those who are raising them, that the resurrection of Jesus becomes a very real truth in their hearts and minds. A truth that they rely on, that they lean on and that they rest in so that the Peace that surpasses understanding takes deep root in their lives. Without the truth of the resurrection, there can be no peace. Without that truth rooted deeply within their hearts and minds, they will feel no peace. Jesus, I pray you show yourself in tangible ways to them via your hand in their daily lives and your place in their hearts such that there is no doubt in their minds that you did indeed walk out of the tomb and that you live for them today.
Amen
It is obvious when we look around that there is something wrong with the world. When you decided to limit your own power and allow humankind free will, we pretty much made a mess of things. You knew we would do that and you planned your redeeming act from the beginning. And in your Son's death we have forgiveness. But moreover, in your Son's resurrection we have hope. He is the "first fruit" of resurrection (I Corinthians 15:20), and because of that our hope is in our own resurrection and the redemption of all creation. Your servant Paul tells us that without the truth of the resurrection, we are without hope and our lives are to be pitied. But with the truth of the resurrection and our faith in it, we can overcome this life and its trials.
I pray for all of these, these children and for those who are raising them, that the resurrection of Jesus becomes a very real truth in their hearts and minds. A truth that they rely on, that they lean on and that they rest in so that the Peace that surpasses understanding takes deep root in their lives. Without the truth of the resurrection, there can be no peace. Without that truth rooted deeply within their hearts and minds, they will feel no peace. Jesus, I pray you show yourself in tangible ways to them via your hand in their daily lives and your place in their hearts such that there is no doubt in their minds that you did indeed walk out of the tomb and that you live for them today.
Amen
Saturday, April 7, 2012
But in Everything - Prayer. Phil 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Dear Father, the God of all comfort,
We so often are practical atheists. We say we believe in you. We say that we trust you. We say we believe in prayer. And yet we don't pray, unless things get really bad and we decide we can't fix whatever it is that we are facing. Then you become our god of last resort, after all our other gods haven't worked. I confess my own guilt in that regard.
I pray first for those who are raising these children and for those of us who are attempting to live out Godly examples for them that, first, we will strongly embrace a life of prayer. Not so much a fixed time of day, though that is good, but more importantly a walk of prayer, a continuing conversation with you during our day. I pray this because I do believe you wait on us to call on you. And that you do respond to our prayer in your wisdom. Secondly, though, I pray that we are overt in our prayer life so that these children see a pattern of prayer in our lives.
I then pray for these children, that they will see our prayerful life pattern and will emulate it. That they will develop a habit of prayer and that through that, they will develop a walking conversational relationship with you. I pray that they will not rely on themselves but will look to you in prayer, that prayer will be their first resort in times of trial and concern. I pray that you reveal to them via daily experience that you answer prayer and that you are walking with them in the joys and trials of life.
Amen
Dear Father, the God of all comfort,
We so often are practical atheists. We say we believe in you. We say that we trust you. We say we believe in prayer. And yet we don't pray, unless things get really bad and we decide we can't fix whatever it is that we are facing. Then you become our god of last resort, after all our other gods haven't worked. I confess my own guilt in that regard.
I pray first for those who are raising these children and for those of us who are attempting to live out Godly examples for them that, first, we will strongly embrace a life of prayer. Not so much a fixed time of day, though that is good, but more importantly a walk of prayer, a continuing conversation with you during our day. I pray this because I do believe you wait on us to call on you. And that you do respond to our prayer in your wisdom. Secondly, though, I pray that we are overt in our prayer life so that these children see a pattern of prayer in our lives.
I then pray for these children, that they will see our prayerful life pattern and will emulate it. That they will develop a habit of prayer and that through that, they will develop a walking conversational relationship with you. I pray that they will not rely on themselves but will look to you in prayer, that prayer will be their first resort in times of trial and concern. I pray that you reveal to them via daily experience that you answer prayer and that you are walking with them in the joys and trials of life.
Amen
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Lord is Near. Do not be Anxious. Phil 4:5-6
O YHWH Jireh, God who Provides,
How often we fail to think of you when we face difficulties and concerns. We think, we worry, we fret, we mull over and over in our minds how we are going to deal with a trial we are facing or concerns about things that might happen. And yet we are told that you, the creator of all that is, are near to us. And that you are near to us as a parent is to a child. And that because of that, we simply should not be anxious.
I pray first of all for those who are raising these children and for those of us who a trying to live out our lives as examples to these children. Give us a greater since of your presence. Show us more and more your glory so that our courage is increased such that we live as examples of people who are not anxious, but trust. And that by our calm and trusting lives, we pattern behavior that these children can follow.
I pray then for these children. That you will constantly show yourself to them such that they have a deep sense of your nearness. That they become people who truly walk with you moment by moment and that by that they do not have anxious hearts and that their peaceful confidence is evident to all around them. And that thereby they will pass on that spirit to their children and will draw others to you by reflecting a life that can only come through you and through your presence.
Amen
How often we fail to think of you when we face difficulties and concerns. We think, we worry, we fret, we mull over and over in our minds how we are going to deal with a trial we are facing or concerns about things that might happen. And yet we are told that you, the creator of all that is, are near to us. And that you are near to us as a parent is to a child. And that because of that, we simply should not be anxious.
I pray first of all for those who are raising these children and for those of us who a trying to live out our lives as examples to these children. Give us a greater since of your presence. Show us more and more your glory so that our courage is increased such that we live as examples of people who are not anxious, but trust. And that by our calm and trusting lives, we pattern behavior that these children can follow.
I pray then for these children. That you will constantly show yourself to them such that they have a deep sense of your nearness. That they become people who truly walk with you moment by moment and that by that they do not have anxious hearts and that their peaceful confidence is evident to all around them. And that thereby they will pass on that spirit to their children and will draw others to you by reflecting a life that can only come through you and through your presence.
Amen
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Let your Gentleness be Evident to All. Phil. 4:5
Dear Father,
Our society does not honor gentleness. It is seen as weakness. Yet your Son was gentle, but had more courage than anyone who has walked the earth. He showed us that gentleness can stand up to those who oppress others and use their power to hold people down. But at the same time his gentleness allowed him to show compassion toward the unlovable and the struggling. I pray that these children develop in you the stength of gentleness. A spirit that is strong and unwavering, yet spreading healing and compassion to those around them. Let their gentleness, though, show itself when people are oppressed and mistreated as a gentleness toward the downtrodden, but strong and courageous in their defense.
In everything, may their first response be calm and gentle, throwing over the money changers' tables only when necessary. And may their reputation as a calm, gentle and steady hand precede them.
Amen
Our society does not honor gentleness. It is seen as weakness. Yet your Son was gentle, but had more courage than anyone who has walked the earth. He showed us that gentleness can stand up to those who oppress others and use their power to hold people down. But at the same time his gentleness allowed him to show compassion toward the unlovable and the struggling. I pray that these children develop in you the stength of gentleness. A spirit that is strong and unwavering, yet spreading healing and compassion to those around them. Let their gentleness, though, show itself when people are oppressed and mistreated as a gentleness toward the downtrodden, but strong and courageous in their defense.
In everything, may their first response be calm and gentle, throwing over the money changers' tables only when necessary. And may their reputation as a calm, gentle and steady hand precede them.
Amen
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice!"
Dear Father,
I pray that these children come to know and feel the joy that you intend for them. Life can and will be hard. But in you, even in the midst of difficulty, there can be joy. And we can rejoice and celebrate. Help them first to develop a keen awareness of the blessings they receive from you everyday and develop a heart of thankfulness for things great and small that you shower on them. Let them live in an attitude of thankfullness so that joy and rejoicing erupt naturally out of their thankful hearts.
May their joy, then not depend on their particular circumstances because they become able to see your blessings in the midst of adversity. Let the light of their joy brighten the world around them and may your salvation reach those in their spheres of influence because their lives reveal the true joy that comes from being in you and in your Son, filled by your Spirit.
Amen
Dear Father,
I pray that these children come to know and feel the joy that you intend for them. Life can and will be hard. But in you, even in the midst of difficulty, there can be joy. And we can rejoice and celebrate. Help them first to develop a keen awareness of the blessings they receive from you everyday and develop a heart of thankfulness for things great and small that you shower on them. Let them live in an attitude of thankfullness so that joy and rejoicing erupt naturally out of their thankful hearts.
May their joy, then not depend on their particular circumstances because they become able to see your blessings in the midst of adversity. Let the light of their joy brighten the world around them and may your salvation reach those in their spheres of influence because their lives reveal the true joy that comes from being in you and in your Son, filled by your Spirit.
Amen
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