Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3
Father,
I pray that these little ones are spared the curse of arrogance. Though I pray that they have a good self-image, I pray that self image comes not from their own accomplishments or position or power and position in the social pecking order, but from their knowledge and confidence in their status as your children.
By that they may be described as poor in spirit - having no value save you living within them. May they ever grow in their realization that they are nothing without you - but by you they are everything. May they always know that, by their own power, they are flawed and sinful, but by the righteous act of your Son, they are forgiven and perfect in your eyes.
And by their continuing and growing awareness of these things, may they fully inherit your Kingdom as royalty.
Amen
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Happy Birthday AGM!
Dear loving Father,
We thank you so much for bringing AGM into our lives this past year. It is amazing to us that he is already a year old! I thank you that he is a healthy baby and we pray that he will continue to be healthy and grow normally. I pray that you give E and S extra wisdom in raising him over the next year and that they are able to savor the joy of his toddler years.
I pray that you begin to grow the small seed of your word that is already being placed within him and that you will already begin to mold him for great purpose in your kingdom. Be his shield of protection against all harm.
Amen
We thank you so much for bringing AGM into our lives this past year. It is amazing to us that he is already a year old! I thank you that he is a healthy baby and we pray that he will continue to be healthy and grow normally. I pray that you give E and S extra wisdom in raising him over the next year and that they are able to savor the joy of his toddler years.
I pray that you begin to grow the small seed of your word that is already being placed within him and that you will already begin to mold him for great purpose in your kingdom. Be his shield of protection against all harm.
Amen
Friday, January 6, 2012
Happy Birthday ISH!
Dear Father,
Thank you for bringing ISH into our lives. A perfect name he was given - he laughs. Such a joy he brings to the whole family by the joy that wells up from his very being and spreads to all about him.
I pray for his health, that you will allow him to continue growing up and live a long and healthy life. I pray that you give L and K great godly wisdom in raising him up to serve you. I pray that ISH and GEO have a life long closeness that they have today and that GEO is a strong and godly influence on ISH as he grows up, and beyond. As L and K consider and pursue an adoption, should the effort be successful, I pray that ISH also becomes the strong and godly big brother to the next child or children to enter their house.
I pray that you mold ISH and guide him into a role in your kingdom that will have far-reaching impact for good. Give him wisdom beyond his years and great courage. Bring strong godly peer influence into his life and shield him from negative peer influence. Bring mentors into his life and give him the wisdom to understand the importance of godly mentors and therefore a desire to seek them.
If it is his lot to be married, I pray that you are also raising up and molding a godly young woman who will be his wife and life-long companion.
Continue growing within him the seed of your word, such that he will have an unquenching desire for your word and a desire to give his allegiance and life to your Son.
Amen
Thank you for bringing ISH into our lives. A perfect name he was given - he laughs. Such a joy he brings to the whole family by the joy that wells up from his very being and spreads to all about him.
I pray for his health, that you will allow him to continue growing up and live a long and healthy life. I pray that you give L and K great godly wisdom in raising him up to serve you. I pray that ISH and GEO have a life long closeness that they have today and that GEO is a strong and godly influence on ISH as he grows up, and beyond. As L and K consider and pursue an adoption, should the effort be successful, I pray that ISH also becomes the strong and godly big brother to the next child or children to enter their house.
I pray that you mold ISH and guide him into a role in your kingdom that will have far-reaching impact for good. Give him wisdom beyond his years and great courage. Bring strong godly peer influence into his life and shield him from negative peer influence. Bring mentors into his life and give him the wisdom to understand the importance of godly mentors and therefore a desire to seek them.
If it is his lot to be married, I pray that you are also raising up and molding a godly young woman who will be his wife and life-long companion.
Continue growing within him the seed of your word, such that he will have an unquenching desire for your word and a desire to give his allegiance and life to your Son.
Amen
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Psalm 40
Dear Father,
I pray that these children will wait on your during their life, and as they wait, you will hear their cry. There will be times when they find themselves in a slimy pit - life in a mess. Sometimes it will be because of things of their own doing, sometimes because of the actions of others, and sometimes simply because they live in a fallen world. When they cry out to you, I pray that you lift them out of the pit, out of the mud and mire, and set their feet on a rock - on solid ground. Then put a new song of praise in their mouths. And by their example let many see and believe in you.
Help them to look to you and not to the proud.
Many, oh Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us, no one can recount to you; were I to recount them, they would be too many to declare.
Do not withhold your mercy from these children, Oh Lord, may your love and your truth always protect them.
Amen
I pray that these children will wait on your during their life, and as they wait, you will hear their cry. There will be times when they find themselves in a slimy pit - life in a mess. Sometimes it will be because of things of their own doing, sometimes because of the actions of others, and sometimes simply because they live in a fallen world. When they cry out to you, I pray that you lift them out of the pit, out of the mud and mire, and set their feet on a rock - on solid ground. Then put a new song of praise in their mouths. And by their example let many see and believe in you.
Help them to look to you and not to the proud.
Many, oh Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us, no one can recount to you; were I to recount them, they would be too many to declare.
Do not withhold your mercy from these children, Oh Lord, may your love and your truth always protect them.
Amen
Be their Shield - Psalm 3
Most powerful father and God,
Be a shield around these children. Sustain them as they lie down to sleep and as they wake up. Take fear from their hearts even when they are threatened by the world around them. When they cry out to you, please answer them from your holy hill.
Place your glory on them when they feel defeated and insignificant so that they and the world around them can see your glory shining through them and thereby they and the world understands that they are, in fact, children of the king.
When they are discouraged, lift up their heads and restore them. Lift up their heads so that they look on your face and know the power, the gentleness, the kindness of a loving father. Lift up their heads so that they can see the big picture, rather than just dwelling on the problem at hand. Lift up their heads so that they can see that those are with them are greater than those who are with the evil one. Lift up their heads and restore the joy in their heart that can only come from knowing their true place in the universe - adopted children of the creator of all that is.
Amen
Be a shield around these children. Sustain them as they lie down to sleep and as they wake up. Take fear from their hearts even when they are threatened by the world around them. When they cry out to you, please answer them from your holy hill.
Place your glory on them when they feel defeated and insignificant so that they and the world around them can see your glory shining through them and thereby they and the world understands that they are, in fact, children of the king.
When they are discouraged, lift up their heads and restore them. Lift up their heads so that they look on your face and know the power, the gentleness, the kindness of a loving father. Lift up their heads so that they can see the big picture, rather than just dwelling on the problem at hand. Lift up their heads so that they can see that those are with them are greater than those who are with the evil one. Lift up their heads and restore the joy in their heart that can only come from knowing their true place in the universe - adopted children of the creator of all that is.
Amen
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Shine Like Stars - Phil 2:15-16
Father,
My prayer for these children is the same as Paul's prayer for the church in Philippi - that they will shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of truth. There is so much darkness and hopelessness in the world. We see atrocity upon atrocity committed by humankind on thier fellow man.
In the midst of this darkness, you call your people to be light - the light of truth and the light of hope. I pray that each of these children will shine brightly within their sphere of influence, and that their sphere of influence expands over their lifetime. May their brightness be ever increasing as their knowledge of the Word expands and their boldness in sharing that Word increases.
Help them to understand how significant a single point of light can be in lighting up the world
Amen
My prayer for these children is the same as Paul's prayer for the church in Philippi - that they will shine like stars in the universe as they hold out the word of truth. There is so much darkness and hopelessness in the world. We see atrocity upon atrocity committed by humankind on thier fellow man.
In the midst of this darkness, you call your people to be light - the light of truth and the light of hope. I pray that each of these children will shine brightly within their sphere of influence, and that their sphere of influence expands over their lifetime. May their brightness be ever increasing as their knowledge of the Word expands and their boldness in sharing that Word increases.
Help them to understand how significant a single point of light can be in lighting up the world
Amen
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Winepress of the Fury of the Wrath of God Almighty (Rev 19:15)
Jesus, the defender of the helpless and one who punishes the oppressor,
Once again our image of you as a passive weakling hinders our true understanding of your nature. We know from your revelation to your servant John, that you are the one who will destroy those who harass and oppress your people. I will never fully understand the existence of evil in the world, but I do know that it exists and that innocent people are hurt by it. The Book of Revelation teaches me that you are not an indifferent observer in those times, but that at the right time you avenge your people.
Though I would like to pray that no injustice ever happens to these children, I know that is simply not real life in this fallen world. Your servants have suffered injustice over the centuries and, of course, you suffered injustice for us. I pray that when these children suffer injustice in their lives that they will look to you and know that you live, and that you live to defend them and avenge them in the Day of the Lord. That you tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty against those who would render injustice against the children of God.
Amen
Once again our image of you as a passive weakling hinders our true understanding of your nature. We know from your revelation to your servant John, that you are the one who will destroy those who harass and oppress your people. I will never fully understand the existence of evil in the world, but I do know that it exists and that innocent people are hurt by it. The Book of Revelation teaches me that you are not an indifferent observer in those times, but that at the right time you avenge your people.
Though I would like to pray that no injustice ever happens to these children, I know that is simply not real life in this fallen world. Your servants have suffered injustice over the centuries and, of course, you suffered injustice for us. I pray that when these children suffer injustice in their lives that they will look to you and know that you live, and that you live to defend them and avenge them in the Day of the Lord. That you tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty against those who would render injustice against the children of God.
Amen
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