God Revives the Spirit of the Lowly

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
    he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
    but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
    and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)

Exalted Father,

I love this verse. In it you speak of your exalted state, that you are figuratively high above us - elevated from us because the difference between you and us is so immense as to be immeasurable. Your holiness is incomparable to any feeble effort at holiness we might attempt. And from that we might assume that you are unapproachable, that you cannot stoop so low as to touch us.

But then you speak the unimaginable. That you also live with us and when we are at our lowest, you are at your closest. And you live with us for a purpose - to revive our spirits and our hearts. Isaiah spoke of you living with your people spiritually, but he also spoke to seven hundred years after his time when you, through your Son, would physically live among your people, comforting the contrite and lowly, and he also spoke to the indwelling of your Spirit in your people for all time beginning at Pentecost.

I pray these children understand both your awesomeness and your closeness. May they fully stand in awe of your loftiness and your holiness, but may they also fully understand your gentleness and compassion with the lowly in heart. May they have that same compassion toward the lowly and struggling, but may they also understand that in their greatest times of hurt and struggle, you are drawing close to them to revive their spirits and their hearts.

Amen

Psalm 121

As these children lift up their eyes to the mountains—
           where does their help come from?
Their help comes from you, Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

You will not let their feet slip—
           you who watches over them will not slumber;
indeed, you who watches over your people will neither slumber nor sleep.

You will watch over them—
           you are their shade at their right hand;
the sun will not harm them by day,
nor the moon by night.

You will keep them from all harm—
           you will watch over their lives;
you will watch over their coming and going both now and forevermore.

Many Were Appalled at Him

See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him — his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15)

Dear Jesus,

Indeed many were appalled at you. And many still are. Help these children to understand that truly following you and your way will not be popular with the world. Help them to realize that the cost of discipleship is high. Help them to realize that if things are easy, they must not be truly following you. As hard as it is for a grandfather to pray, I ask that these children pick up their crosses and follow you into a life of sacrifice.

But help them also to know that they are following the Exalted One, the Victorious King of Kings and that, in that Day, you will raise them up and exalt them in your presence.

Amen

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
May these children worship you with gladness;
and come before you with joyful songs.

May they know that you are God.
That it is you who made them, and they are yours;
they are your people,
the sheep of your pasture.

May they enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise;
May they give thanks to you and praise your name.
Because they know that you are good and your love endures forever;
your faithfulness continues through all generations.

How Beautiful are the Feet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

Redeeming Father,

Embed in the hearts of these children a deep desire to share the good news of your Son and to share your love with the hurting and struggling. May they realize that being a full time minister or missionary is not required for them to do this. That in their daily walk they can be the bearers of your light.

Give them the courage to open their mouths in testimony and the wisdom to know what best to say. Give them the humility to share honestly, not as a sales pitch, but as an honest story of what you have done for the brokenness in their own lives. Give them the opportunities to interact with people who are without you in their lives and the discernment to capitalize on those opportunities. May they, by example of their lives, truly proclaim that you reign in the real world.

Amen

Be Thou Their Vision

Be Thou their Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to them, save that Thou art

Thou their best Thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence their light. 

Be Thou their Wisdom, and Thou their true Word;

Them ever with Thee and Thou with them, Lord;

Thou their great Father, Thy daughters and sons;

Thou in them dwelling, and they with Thee one.

Be Thou their battle Shield, Sword for the fight;

Be Thou their Dignity, Thou their Delight;

Thou their souls' Shelter, Thou their high Tower:

Raise Thou them heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches they heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou their Inheritence, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in their hearts,

High King of Heaven, their Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, their victory won,

May they reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!

Heart of their own heart, whatever befall,

Still be their Vision, O Ruler of all.

Words: Dallan Forgail (8th Century) - adapted

I Have Engraved You on My Palms

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:16)

Faithful Father,

Impress on these children the value you ascribe to them. You do not wait passively for them, but you pursue them. You can no more give up on them than could a man cut off his hand and discard it.  Yes, if a hand is diseased beyond repair, we would be willing to do that. But with you, all spiritual disease is curable unless the hand does not wish to be cured.

When we read Isaiah, the allusion to the carving of Jesus's palms with the nails of the cross is inescapable. I think your words to Isaiah were meant, with the hindsight of the cross, to bring that to our minds. Help these children to understand the lengths to which you went to engrave their names on your palms. Help them to feel how deep that love runs. By that may the be secure in the knowledge that you will never abandon them nor will you give up hope in them. Help them to know that you will go to any effort to pursue them the rest of their lives.

Jesus, show them your nail scarred hands. Scars that carry their names and show that you know them personally and died form them personally.

Amen

Remember Your Creator

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Father, Creator of all that is,

I pray that these children do not wait until they are grown to embrace faith. The temptation for the young is to try out the wild side, thinking that later on they can settle down and grow up. It is easy to believe that. But it is not so easy in practice. Habits form, addictions arise, relationships are formed (and then broken or damaged) and life patterns established. Meanwhile so much opportunity for good is wasted.

Give these children the wisdom to understand the value of the time they now have. Time to touch lives with your love and compassion. Time to exhibit spiritual leadership in the world around them. Time to develop positive spiritual patterns, disciplines and habits. Time to have a dramatic effect on the world around them. So may they remember you in the days of their youth before the pressures and temptations of adulthood hit them headlong, and they are then able to deal with the pressures in healthy ways and say they have no pleasure in the temptations that come their way, because their fulfillment comes from you and the life toward which you are leading them.

Amen

Whoever Watches the Wind

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

God our Shield,

We live in an uncertain world in which tomorrow cannot be guaranteed. Economies can fall, companies can falter, jobs can be lost, nations can be in uproar, storms may strike (figuratively and literally). It is easy to live in fear, waiting for certain times to live life. But this scripture tells us that if we do that, we will never accomplish anything worthwhile. Not only will we fail to plant, to start things that will lead to positive impact, but we will also fail to take advantage of opportunities that you have brought to full term. We will fail to harvest.

Though I pray these children, in wisdom, do not ignore dangers, may they live life and truly live, living courageously, marching forth as into battle, with you as their guide and their rear guard. May they be bent on having an impact for you, not shrinking back when dark clouds loom and the wind blows. May they, instead, see the wind as opportunity to take flight and the clouds as the producer of rain that will cause growth in its time.

Amen

Psalm 86

Hear these children, Lord, and answer them when they call to you, for they are weak and in need. Guard their lives, as they are faithful to you; save them as they trust in you. You are our God; have mercy on these children, Lord, as they call to you. Bring joy to them, Lord, as they put their trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear their prayers, Lord; listen to their cries for mercy. When they are in distress, may they call to you, because you answer them. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach these children your way, Lord, that they may rely on your faithfulness; give them an undivided heart, that they may fear your name. May they praise you, Lord our God, with all their hearts; may they glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward us; may you deliver these children when they are in the depths, for you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to them and have mercy on them; show your strength in behalf of your them and save them as they serve you, for you, Lord, will help and comfort them.

Amen

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! May these children's souls yearn, even faint, for your courts O Lord; may their hearts and their flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. May these children be blessed as they dwell in your house; as they are ever praising you. May they be blessed as they seek their strength in you, as they set their hearts on pilgrimage to you. As they pass through the Valley of weeping, may they make it a place of springs; as the autumn rains also cover it with pools and time heals.  May they go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on these children. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather they be a doorkeeper in your house than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For you are a sun and shield; you bestow favor and honor; no good thing do you withhold from those whose walk is blameless by the blood of your Son. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Amen

Love Never Fails

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:7,8)

Dear Father,

Help these children to deeply understand that love is a decision. It is something they decide to do or decide not to do, that it is not something they fall into or fall out of. It never fails or falters, only people do. I pray they practice the elements of love given in this scripture by Paul, that they choose to follow these principles in their marriage, with their children, with their family, with their friends, and with fellow church members. May their natural inclination be to come to the defense of those who are being criticized rather than joining into the chorus of critics or the spreading gossip and rumors. May their natural inclination be to trust unless given strong first hand reason not to. When their loved ones fail them, may they continue in hope that they will turn around. And may they have great inward strength from your Spirit to stick with their marriage and other relationships when things get tough and all seems dark and hopeless. May their love never fail.

Amen

If Gossiping, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. (I Corinthians 13:3,6)

Dear Father,

A significant element of gossip is relishing in the misfortune and missteps of others. It is sometimes disguised as "concern", but rarely is that the real impetus. Paul is telling us that if we diligently do Kingdom work, and yet gossip about others, our work is worthless, because in the process, we destroy more than we ever build and we tarnish the cause of Christ.

I pray these children avoid the temptation to engage in gossip, rather they set their minds on pursuing truth and correcting malicious falsehoods being circulated by others. May they rebuff those who attempt to gossip with them and press for proof of the points being made. May they circle back with those who know the truth to determine what is truth and seek to spread the truth. May they be known as people who speak truth and honor truth.

Amen

If Grudge Holding, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love keeps no record of wrongs. (I Corinthians 13:3,5)

Forgiving Father,

You have made it clear that unless we forgive, we will not be forgiven. But as human beings, though we forgive, we are unable to fully forget. And when we do not forget, we can still begin dwelling on wrongs done to us in the past and our supposed forgiveness begins to fade. In this teaching, Paul tells us that when we do that, our good works for you are worthless because we are the most unlike Jesus when we grasp hold of wrong done to us.

Father, I pray these children regularly search their hearts for any feelings they still harbor toward those who have wronged them. Give them the power to let go of those wrongs, whether or not the person committing them has asked for forgiveness and whether or not the person continues to inflict hurt. Help them to learn that holding onto those hurts only hurts themselves and prevents them from healing and being the strong soldier for you that you intend them to be. Help them to learn that taking the high road ultimately leads others to respect them and to discount the comments made by those who would detract from them. And as they take that high road of letting go of hurts inflicted by others, they will exhibit your righteousness as they go about Kingdom work, and thereby you will be glorified.

Amen

If Easily Angered, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is not easily angered. (I Corinthians 13:3,5)

Dear Jesus,

You showed us when anger is appropriate and when it is not. You were angered by the arrogant and those who oppressed others. But you were never angry when someone attacked you nor were you even angry when people attempted to interfere with your work. Your servant Paul tells us that if we are a hot head, if we get angry when things don't go our way, or when we are slighted or frustrated, it negates all of the good work we might do. You are not honored.

Help these children to control their anger. Give them the ability to sense when they are becoming angry and place within them a desire to dial back their response and give them the discipline to turn the dial. Give them discernment to know when it is, in fact, appropriate to have holy anger: when people are being oppressed or mistreated by those in power or those with greater physical strength. In those circumstances, give them the passion to become angry, the courage to act on their anger and the wisdom to know the most effective and appropriate response.

Amen

If There is Selfishness, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is not self-seeking. (I Corinthians 13:3,5)

Dear Jesus,

You gave us the perfect example of selflessness. You are God, and yet you emptied yourself. You are God, and yet you let the created murder the creator. You are God, and yet you did not claim title or position or earthly honor. The Father gave you honor at times, but you did not claim it yourself. Only now do you have the position and honor that you deserve. How do we empty ourselves of the tendency to want to gain honor, recognition and position?

I pray that your Spirit do his transforming work in these children to bring them closer and closer to your image. As they are transformed, remove their desire for gain within the Kingdom, their desire for honor, recognition and position. For as your servant Paul said, with the desire to gain these things, our good works, no matter how significant, are worthless in your eyes.

Amen

If There is Rudeness, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,  but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is not rude (I Corinthians 13:3,5)

Dear Father,

I have known very dedicated church workers who would say the first thing that came to mind without regard to others feelings. They simply had no filter. And their comment about themselves would be "that's just the way I am, I speak my mind". But Paul tells us here that all of our church work is meaningless if we are rude to people.

May these children never dismiss poor behavior in themselves by claiming that's just the way they are. Such an attitude quenches the transforming power of the Spirit. May they never be proud of being the kind of person who just "tells it like it is" without regard to the feelings of others. Rather may they care deeply about the impact of their words and the feelings of other people. And in that you are glorified and their work for you will have meaning.

Amen

If There is Arrogance, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love does not boast, it is not proud. (I Corinthians 13:3,4)

Holy God,

It is easy for us to feel good about good works. And I believe you want that for us. But it is a small step from feeling good about good works, to being proud. Pride begins when we begin to think ourselves better than others because of our good works. Feeling self-righteous is a great risk. We look at those who are struggling with obvious sin, those who have no religious leanings, those who live and behave in ways that are steeped in sin and have no remorse about it, those who are lifelong criminals and we can't help but feel better than they are. But you tell us that all have sinned are merit destruction. We can certainly feel good that your Spirit has transformed our lives such that we are able to make a difference for good, but in no way should we feel that we have done this. That is pride. And when we feel compelled to let people know the things we have done, rather than letting the works speak for themselves, we boast.

Keep the truth of their salvation and redemption ever before these children so that they always know that the good they do is because of your Good living within them.

Amen

If There is Envy, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love does not envy. (I Corinthians 14:3,4)

Glorious Father,

All good things can go too far. Wanting our good works to achieve higher levels of accomplishment is a good thing. Watching what other people/churches do in order to learn from them is a good thing.  But all of that can easily lead to envy - envy of the accomplishments of others who are trying to do the same good work, envy of the recognition others are receiving. Envy can actually motivate us to do more and accomplish more. Isn't that a good thing?

Teach these children your principles - that anything we accomplish from a platform of envy does not honor you nor do you honor us for it. May they understand that you always want them to rejoice with those who rejoice and give honor to others for their accomplishments, understanding that the arena of good works is not an athletic competition. Help them to desire to do good works only for the applause of heaven.

Amen

Without Kindness, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is kind. (I Corinthians 13:3,4)

Kind Father,

People can irritate us. Church people can irritate us. Some of their personalities just irritate us (of course our personalities could not possibly irritate anyone). If we just avoid or ignore them, we can still get a lot of important and effective work done for your cause and avoid getting ourselves all irritated.

But help these children to understand that such unkindness on our part renders worthless our accomplishments for you. It matters not whether we truly did these things for your glory, you are not glorified if we accomplish these things while being unkind people. May they understand that you want kindness from us over any accomplishment outcome. You want mercy, not sacrifice. May these children set as a priority being kind and merciful to those toward whom it is hard to be so.

Amen

Without Patience, Nothing

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient. (I Corinthians 13:3,4)

Patient Father,

It is easy to become laser focused on a task, a holy task. Important things need to be done. People to be helped, poor to be fed, the hurting to be comforted. Kingdom business awaits. But people get in the way. People who are assigned a task do not follow through. Some are incompetent. Deadlines are missed. Our frustration level rises.

But help these children (and all of us) to remember that without love (patience), none of our "wonderful" Kingdom work amounts to anything. It is worthless in your eyes. Teach them that effective "Kingdom work" as you define it, involves accepting the frailties and shortcomings of fellow workers, understanding that they will not perform up to our expectations and us living with that fact, patiently. It is not a grand strategic plan with tasks and expected outcomes, but it is walking and talking along the way as Jesus did.

Amen

Serenity

God grant these children the serenity
to accept the things they cannot change;
courage to change the things they can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as they would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if they surrender to His Will;
That they may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr (adapted)

 

When They are Sick

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)

Healing Father,

I pray these children will reach out to their church family when they are sick. May they not be so private in their suffering that they do not call upon others, call on the church leaders, to pray over them. May they have a deep belief in the power of prayer such that they call on it often, and though they certainly can approach you directly, it was your intent that people pray for each other in community.

You do not promise healing indefinitely as this is still a fallen world in which all will die eventually. But you do heal within your own wisdom. May these children trust that you know best what should be the ultimate outcome of sickness and may they accept in faith, when your answer is "no", that your ways are higher than our ways and that your wisdom is greater than ours. May they also always see the "ultimate outcome" from an eternal perspective and remember that, compared to eternity, the trials and sickness of this life pale in comparison.

Amen

Let Them Sing

Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. (James 5:13)

Glorious Father,  worthy of praise,

There is something about singing that penetrates the soul. You designed us this way. It connects with both the masculine and the feminine. Men are often put off by the idea of singing, and yet David, a man among men, wrote songs and poetry and he sang with passion. James speaks here of songs of praise, but you also designed us to sing songs of lament when our souls are dry and wounded.

May these children sing! Through song, may they express feelings of joy that only song can fully draw out, feelings of anguish and hurt as a balm to the soul and feelings of grace, mercy and redemption to remind themselves deeply of the gift you have given them in Jesus. May they sing with passion, not timidly, as they pour out their souls; singing, as Moses, Miriam, David and Mary did, holding nothing back. Grow in them feelings of praise that can only be expressed in song and give them an unbridled passion to express them.

Amen

Let Them Pray

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. (James 5:13)

Gracious Father,

I pray that these children develop strong prayer lives. I pray that they look to you for wisdom and strength by prayer. I pray that they desire to spend time with you daily, to pour their hearts out to you. I pray that they desire the sit quietly before you. Though I pray that they come to you when they are in trouble and when they are struggling, more importantly I pray that they develop a habit of coming to you when they are not in crisis, as a part of their daily walk with you.

Give them a special sense of your presence when they enter times of prayer. Fill their hearts with your love and your peace in these times such that they hunger and thirst for those times. When they fall away from their regular prayer life, cause their hearts to feel empty and give them a quick understanding of the reason for that emptiness so that they return to your presence.

Amen

Don't Grumble - James 5:9

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:9)

Patient Father,

It is so easy to develop a pattern of complaining. Some people, I believe, make it a hobby of grumbling. Somehow it becomes so much a part of their nature that it strangely makes them happy. But the truth is that such behavior is destructive and it greatly discourages those who are striving to make a difference.

Negativity is habit forming and I pray that you protect these children from developing a negative mindset. I pray they look at things positively and optimistically. I pray their words encourage rather than discourage. May they criticize sparingly and when critique is warranted, I pray that they do so in a way that does not discourage. I ask that you surround them with positive minded people who will help them to develop a like mindset.

I pray that they always consider the feelings of others when they open their mouths and seek to spur others on to good works.

Amen

Grace Alone

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17)

Father of Mercy,

For those of us who still try to be justified by our own righteousness, this verse is checkmate - game over.  The amount of good that we know to do that we do not do is limitless, thus our sins are limitless. We have no hope of measuring up to your standards. So we stand on grace and grace alone. Without your grace and your mercy we are without hope.

I pray that these children understand this. That they understand the hopelessness of self-righteousness. That they understand, although you want them to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus and your Spirit works in them to do that, they stand on grace. That they understand, though you want them to lead an impactful life for the Kingdom, they stand on grace. That they understand, though you want them to obey the Great Command, they stand on grace. I pray that, though they never become complacent with their spiritual development, they are able to rest in your grace with the peace that can only come from the knowledge that they stand on grace and grace alone.

Amen

The Uncertainty and Brevity of Life - James 4:14

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14)

Dear Father,

I pray that these children come to quickly understand that there are no guarantees about tomorrow and that this life is temporary. Not that they come to dwell on the morbid, but that they have a realistic and honest understanding of their own mortal existence. By understanding the temporary nature of their walk in this life, I pray that they early on in their lives begin to not take each day of this life for granted and that they begin to let go of the temporary things of this world and focus on things eternal. Let that knowledge actually bring joy to them, not dread, as they know that they will live eternally and that the things of this world do not matter very much. Help them also to learn that "things eternal" means each and every person they encounter, that all are eternal beings, and with that knowledge I pray that they reach out to those around them with the love of Christ.

Amen

He Will Lift You Up - James 4:10

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Redeeming Father,

Life can just be hard. Disappointments, defeat, anxiety, unfulfilled dreams, hurting relationships can bring us to our knees. But that is precisely when you begin your work of redemption. I pray that these children learn from their own experiences and from the experiences of their parents and spiritual mentors that only when they are brought to realize that they really are not in control of their lives, and that they have no one else to truly rely upon but you, it is only then that you begin raising them up. Only then do you begin redeeming their life. Only then do you begin raising them up as a force for good in the power of your Son.

I pray that their learning of this lesson, the lesson of humility, is not overly painful for them and that they willingly accept that lesson. But my prayer is that easy or hard, they are taught this lesson. I pray that prayer because I know that their life will not have the powerful impact it was designed for unless they first come before you in humility. Soften the hardness of any of their hearts. Break any arrogance within them. Then lift them up high, give them wings as eagles, raise them up as a light shining in the darkness.

Amen

Come Near to God - James 4:8

 Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:8)

Loving Father,

James tells us that you want a close relationship with us. Coming near connotes closeness, intimacy even friendship. But he is also telling us that you wait for us to make the first move in this relationship. You have obviously made the greatest first move by sending your Son, but relationship begins when we turn to you.

I pray that these children yearn for a closeness with their God. That they feel the emptiness when that relationship does not exist and, rather than looking for fulfillment from other sources, they turn to you. I pray that they learn to spend time in quiet with you, allowing your Spirit within them to speak with you and by your relationship with the Spirit, their soul draws near to you to call you "Abba", Daddy. Our upbringing makes it hard for us to think of you that intimately, as a young child addressing their daddy. But we are told by Paul that such is exactly what you want and what you designed us for and what your Spirit within us calls us toward. I pray fervently that these children find that place and rest in it.

Amen

Resisting Evil - James 4:7

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7)

Mighty God,

I pray that these children understand the reality of forces of evil. I pray that they early come to understand that more is going on around them than what they can see and touch. I pray that they realize that, if they walk close to the edge with worldly things, that a real living evil force is trying desperately to pull them across. That he is trying with all his power to pull them away from you and that by that they fully understand the serious risk that they take by playing with fire, by toying with ungodly attitudes and behavior. I pray that they understand that it is not just risking addiction or having a tarnished reputation, but that they are moving into the realm of an evil being far more powerful than they are. One who can overcome them easily if they leave your protection.

But James tells us that if they recognize what is really going on when they are being tempted to compromise what they know is right, and if they resist the evil one, he will run away from them. He will run away, because he will see you standing behind them. Give them this clear vision of spiritual reality at all times.

Amen

A Surrendered Heart - James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God (James 4:7)

Dear Father,

Easy to say, but hard to do. There will be many times in the lives of these children that it will be clear what you want them to do, but their hearts will not want to do it. The instruction may be to forgive, or to submit to authority, or to stay in a marriage or any one of a number of things that the heart may not want to do. I pray that these children come to understand, though, that only in a surrendered heart will you work powerfully through them. As they surrender to you, to do your will even when they do not want to do it, they will experience your power working through them. Through a surrendered heart you can heal relationships. Through their surrendered heart you can guide them in their chosen vocation. Through their surrendered heart, you can comfort those who are downtrodden. And through their surrendered heart, you can draw others to you. Teach these children what it truly means to surrender. Pattern that surrender in their parents and spiritual mentors. Help them to search their own hearts for whatever they may be withholding from you and then give them the strength to loosen their grip on those things and attitudes as they more and more fully surrender to you.

Amen

Friendship with the World - James 4:4

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4)

Dear Father,

These children will be tempted to walk with one foot in the world and one foot in your Kingdom. I see many in the church who are doing that. They come to church, but in their personal lives you would not be able to tell them apart from non-believers. I pray that these children understand early in their lives that there is a choice to make, that they cannot play with the world and worldly things and attempt to have a relationship with you anymore than a husband or wife can carry on an extramarital affair and keep a relationship with their spouse.

They must choose a path and that if they do not choose, they will be constantly compromising their witness, causing more harm than good for the cause of Jesus as people see their behavior as supposed "Christians" and wonder what Christianity really means. They must choose a path if they are going to have a strong impact of good in their lives. They must choose a path if they truly are going to be a light in the darkness. And they must choose a path of they want to have a close relationship with you. May they choose that path, to let go of the allure of the things and actions of this world, for true joy and true riches that can only come from a relationship with you.

Amen

Sowing in Peace - James 3:18

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness (James 3:18)

Spirit of Peace,

James paints a picture here that is different from simply praising peacemakers. We generally think of peacemakers as those who rush into to break up fights. But the picture here is one of planting seeds of peace; regularly and consistently performing small acts that grow toward peace in the community.

I pray that these children live their lives like this. I pray that they develop a mindset that causes them to speak words, take actions and make decisions that create an atmosphere of peace and community. May those words and actions be words and acts of kindness. May their words, actions and decisions build people up and create positive impressions of those in the community, rather than creating negative feelings, jealousy and dissension toward people. May their behavior be such that people in the community recognize that these children live their lives to build other people up, to build up the community and to create an atmosphere of peace and teamwork, every day, in big and small things, in every word, in every action, in every decision.

Amen

Heavenly Wisdom - James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Dear Father,

James tells us what you mean by "wisdom", your wisdom. I pray that these children have the kind of wisdom that comes from pure motives, from a desire to be godly, a desire to please you and honor you. I pray that these children have the kind of wisdom that causes them to make decisions that will lead to peace, the kind of wisdom that causes them to take into serious consideration the feelings of others when they are making decisions, the kind of wisdom that causes them to submit to your will with a surrendered heart as they make life decisions, the kind of wisdom that causes them to act with mercy toward those who have wronged them and in their decision making to err on that side of mercy rather than justice, the kind of wisdom that causes them to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their decision making, the kind of wisdom that causes them to be impartial, not swayed in their decision making by flattery or based on who is their friend, and the kind of wisdom that leads them not to act on a hidden agenda, but rather causes them to be straightforward and transparent.

Amen

Envy and Selfish Ambition - James 3:16

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16)

Dear Father,

It is easy to envy the success of others, particularly the accomplishments and progression of co-workers. It is also important to note that ambition is not evil, but selfish ambition is. Ambition for the purposes of supporting one's family or to use gained recourses for the advancement of your will is not selfish.

I pray that these children learn to rejoice with those who rejoice and celebrate the successes of other people, further that they commit to help others progress. In that they will discover that such behavior will actually increase their own success via the loyalty they will create in others. And I pray that they are ambitious people - but ambitious in the sense of doing what you want done, which includes working for a living but also striving to be a part of your plan to advance the Kingdom.

Amen

Good Deeds with Humility - James 3:13

 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Dear Father,

I pray that you give many gifts and talents to these children and grow in them the desire to use them for your glory. But in using the gifts you give them, they will receive the praise of men. I do think some of that is a blessing from you for following your will, but it is easy for that to go to one's head and for us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. I pray that these children always keep a healthy perspective of the Source of their gifts and talents so that they can say, without false modesty, that they are only using what you have given them.

Amen

Teaching Truth - James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

Dear Father,

Though this warning to those who might decide to teach the word is valid and extreme care should be taken by teachers, I pray that these children grow in knowledge of the truth and develop the skills to teach. I pray that they have the desire to use and practice that talent, and that you grow that gift within them. I pray that by that they influence a multitude in your word and in your ways.

Amen

Saving Faith - James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (James 2:14)

Dear Jesus,

James tells us that it is possible to believe you are who you said you are, but not have saving faith. He then makes it clear that the distinction goes to whether our belief in you motivates us to do anything, particularly to do something for those in need. Certainly this is not a merit based salvation, but fundamentally if I can look on hurting and poor people and have no compassion on them, then I must not really believe you are who you said you are and I must not believe that I need to listen to you.

I pray that a deep faith develops within this children that puts a burning passion to do the things you did - touch the untouchable, befriend the outcasts and minister to the sick and hurting.

Amen

Showing Mercy - James 2:12,13

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12,13)

Merciful Father,

James makes it clear. Your Son made it clear. Your willingness to show mercy to us, to forgive, is tied to our willingness to do the same to those around us. Simple, yet hard. Obviously, we will be imperfect at this and will falter. But you expect us to work at this, to examine ourselves to determine who we have not forgiven. You expect us to think twice before we respond in anger to those who have wronged us.

I pray that you give these children the ability to think clearly about these things in the midst of emotions and chaos and give them the wisdom and strength to choose wise and merciful paths.

Amen

The Need for Grace - James 2:9,10

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (James 2:9,10)

Dear Jesus,

Our ability to keep humble and avoid showing favoritism must be founded on the point made by James - we all stand condemned without you. We all stand equally and fully condemned. No one is better than the other, no one is more righteous. All stand equally. And all stand equally in need of your saving sacrifice. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that I can have comfort not only in my own salvation, but in the salvation of these little ones if they give themselves to you and to your compassion and mercy. I pray that they make that decision.

Amen

Favoritism - James 2:1

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. (James 2:1)

Father of Justice and Mercy,

I pray that these children grow to see people as you see them. You see the inner person, not the outer appearance. You see that we all are flawed, but that we all are you children, marred by sin and by life experience, each having wounds that have not fully healed and which affect our behavior and decisions. I pray that they fight to avoid to natural tendency to pay more attention to those of high stature in their community, particularly in the community of faith. I pray they are willing to invest time in those of low estate, those who are less public in their service to you, those whom the world (and sadly even the church) would view as less "significant".  This will be a life-long inner battle and pray you give them the vision, the determination and the strength to fight it.

Amen

True Religion - James 1:27

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

Dear Father,

This instruction is so simple, yet we lose sight of it so often. It always comes down to how we treat people, particularly the poor and defenseless and to whether we compromise our godliness with the world. Reading your prophets, it is obvious that your people have always had a problem with this. Having a form of godliness, but missing the main point.

I pray that these children never fall into that trap, but constantly and honestly assess whether they are truly following after things that matter to you.

Amen

A Tight Rein on the Tongue - James 1:26

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

Merciful Father,

Your servant James spoke in strong absolutes, but he is successful in making his points. He tells us that we can be very "religious" but if we speak lies, or profanity, or if we gossip and slander, or speak vile things against people, we are kidding ourselves. We will turn people away from you. And so our religion is worthless.

I pray that these children understand fully this point and make it a lifelong effort to tame their tongues - to be honestly self critical in this effort, not allowing themselves to rationalize poor behavior. And may their pure speech be a beacon drawing people to you.

Amen

Do Not Merely Listen - James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22)

Dear Jesus,

Your church is filled with many who come because it is a component of their lives, a socially accepted thing to do, but there is no real commitment. I pray that these children do not follow that path, but develop a compassion for what you are compassionate about - ministering to the hurting, helping the single mothers and the fatherless, lifting the downcast and sin-burdened, defending the defenseless and meeting the needs of the destitute. I pray that they take your teaching seriously and understand that you meant what you said.

Amen

Get Rid of Evil - James 1:21

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)

Righteous Father,

Your people have always tended to compromise their morals, to have one foot in your kingdom and one foot in the world. You have made it very clear that you do not want this. You want us to get rid of the world's influence. You do not want it for us because you know that it desensitizes us to sin and we drift.

I pray that these children understand that principle and that they are passionate about purity in their minds and in their actions. I pray that they do not compromise in the movies and television shows they watch, the jokes they tell and the jokes they laugh at, the things they do in leisure, the places they visit and frequent and the friends they keep. Help them to have the mind to be in the world but not of the world.

Amen

Slow to Anger - James 1:19,20

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19,20)

Patient Father,
It is clear from this teaching that our natural anger responses are not healthy and slowness to anger allows us to assess our true motives. But it also teaches that, though slow to anger, it is not against your will for us to be anger. There is an anger that is not human anger - anger that is holy, righteous anger.

I pray that these children develop cool heads, an approach to adversity that does not enlist a first response of anger. I pray that they think through situations that tend to anger them and develop a wise and effective response. But I also pray that when righteous anger is called for, when the defenseless are oppressed and abused, that they are bold in action with no tolerance for such behavior.

Amen

Slow to Speak - James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19)

Wise Father,

Because we do naturally think we are right in our beliefs, we are quick to espouse those views. Part of being willing to listen to others (and to you) is that we close our mouths to let others speak first. I pray that these children develop that discipline. It will serve them well in keeping an honest humility about their own views, but it is also simply a more effect approach in dealing with people.

Amen

Quick to Listen - James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen (James 1:19)

Dear Father,

Our natural thought is that our view about things is right. I pray, though, that these children are willing to listen to other points of view and assess their validity. That does not mean that I want them to be wishy washy in their beliefs. I pray that they do develop strong beliefs and stand ready to defend them, but I also pray that they accept the possibility that they are wrong and thus are willing to continue challenging and testing their positions and this is best done in conversation with others who hold differing views.

Sadly, even in our prayers to you we assume our idea or plan is right and we ask you to bless it and are angst when our plan is not working. I pray that these children also deeply accept that your plans are better than theirs and that your knowledge is greater than theirs such that when plans are not working, they accept that you have a different (and better idea) and that they rest in that knowledge.

Amen

Firstfruits of Creation - James 1:18

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:18)

Redeeming Father,

I am awestruck by the idea that, in Christ, we become what you intended your creation to be. I cannot fully comprehend that thought - that, though Adam and Eve had not sinned, they were not perfect. And that only through the blood of your Son and the word of truth that he taught us, can we truly become fully what you wanted human kind to be: cleansed of all sin, but seeking you in a way that only those who have fallen can.

I pray that these children obey your word, love your Son, clothe themselves with him in baptism and become the creation you intended.

Amen

Every Good and Perfect Gift - James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Generous Father,

I pray that these children think often of the blessings that they receive every day and every moment from you. That they acknowledge your gifts in everything around them, from the gift of living another day to the beauty of your creation, from the relationships of love that they have to the church in which they receive and give comfort, from their home in which they live to the children who run through that home, from the financial blessings that they receive to the opportunity to share those blessings with others, may they develop a heart of constant praise.

Amen

The Progression of Sin - James 1:14,15

Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14,15)

Father of Mercy,

We know that your anger over sin is because you see so clearly how it destroys the ones you love. I pray that these children understand the progression of sin, that no one starts out desiring to be an addict or desiring to ruin their lives with pornography or intending to destroy their marriage by having an affair. I pray that the know how easy it is to fade into sin such that they choose to keep a safe distance from that which would represent the first step in a destructive progression. I pray their desire is to stay as close to you as they can, rather than attempting to test the borders of fire.

Amen

Perspective on Wealth - James 1:10

But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. (James 1:10)

Holy Father,

Pride in humiliation is not a natural response. Nor is the idea of the rich being humiliated a natural expectation. But James makes it clear that the humiliation of the rich actually comes from the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, that wealth is meaningless because we are here today and gone tomorrow and our wealth won't buy us love or contentment, nor will it add significantly to our lifespan (by significantly, I mean as compared to the full span of time. What is 10 years when compared to the span of history).

Basically you, through these writers, are saying that wealth is a joke. And indeed it is for its own sake. I pray that these children come to deeply understand this principle and if they are financially successful, that they will keep this perspective well in their minds.

Amen

Pride in Humble Circumstances - James 1:9

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. (James 1:9)

Dear Father,

It is rare that you tell us to be proud. Pride is usually taught as a negative attribute. But here you tell people of low estate to be proud, proud of their lowly position. Your Son tells us that the first will be last. This teaching by James drives home the point that our position on this earth is meaningless outside of you working through and with us. High position creates distractions and makes us susceptible to deadly pride - that pride that leads us into temptation. James is telling us that we should be glad if we are in lowly position because ultimately we will be exalted as "first".

Lord, I know that among these children, some will be more successful financially than others. For those who are less successful financially,  I pray that you instill deeply into them this teaching. That their lower position on this earth is considered high position by you. That, though this world considers them to be less significant, you consider them to be of great significance. And by this, may they hold their heads high as esteemed children of yours.

Amen

Praying for Wisdom - James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Wise Father,

I have prayed often that you grant these children wisdom. But I pray for the day when they come to understand you promise to give wisdom to those who ask and that they begin to ask you for it. I pray that they face situations early in their lives in which they do not know what to do and in weakness reach out to you for guidance. When they do so, I pray that you reach down to touch them and impart your wisdom. From that I pray that they experience, as I have, the direct answer to that cry for help, that cry for guidance, that cry for wisdom and that, from that experience, they will then always turn to you as they make their choices and decisions and when they have no idea what to do next.

Amen

Mature and Complete - James 1:4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)

Dear Father,

I learn from this passage that perseverance completes us and makes us mature. I pray that these children learn to finish what they start. That the learn to follow through on things they commit to do. That they are people who can be counted upon to execute and complete a task. That willingness and discipline to finish the course is the foundation of godly maturity. I pray that they understand the importance of having that discipline and maturity and I pray that you will grant them success in their endeavors as they display this attribute. May they, then, in that success give praise to you for teaching them the value of perseverance.

Amen

Consider it Pure Joy - James 1:2,3

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2,3)

Dear Father,

This is hard teaching. It just doesn't seem possible to be so joyful about facing trials. But I pray that you give these children a deep understanding of this principle. That hardship produces strength and endurance. Just as a long distance runner must endure grueling workouts in order to develop the endurance, the perseverance to run the race, so must the runners of life endure difficulties in order to develop strength for living life. I pray that you give these children that perspective.

Amen