Father,
We know from the prayer of Jesus and from many other scripture references how important unity is to you. Lord Jesus, you want your church to be one just as you are one with the Father. You also want married people to be one. I know people who just seem to stir up controversy and division. They do that in the workplace, in the church and in the home. I believe that is the kind of person Paul was talking about in this verse. I pray that you deliver these children from becoming that kind of person. That you will bring positive influences into their lives of people who build up rather than tear down, people who bring peace rather than create controversy and people who show love as the unifying force in all aspects of their life. May these children follow these examples.
Certainly there are times when we must speak out in ways that will create controversy. When people are being mistreated and oppressed, you want us to speak out. When your teachings are being distorted and people are being led astray, you want us to speak out. Though I pray that these children have the courage to speak out in those times, I also pray that they will exercise sound judgment in deciding to speak out. That they ensure that the wrong they intend to right is truly a wrong and not just a matter of opinion. That they be able to determine, even when there is a wrong, whether the severity of the wrong merits the forcefulness of their planned action - that is, that they have the wisdom to know whether the cure will kill the patient. Much judgment and courage is necessary for all of this and I pray that you fill them with both the courage to act when needed to right a wrong, but also the judgment to know what action is appropriate with the view of maintaining unity if at all possible.
Amen
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sinful Nature - Hatred. Galatians 5:20
Father of Forgiveness and Mercy,
Your teachings throughout your word are clear. We have been forgiven, therefore we must forgive. We have been shown mercy, therefore we must be merciful, we have been given grace, therefore we must show grace. But my observation of true hate is that it rises above the level of mere unforgivness. It seems to become an obsession, an addiction. Whether it is hatred toward an ethnic group or hatred toward another culture, or hatred toward another faith or hatred toward people who hold another political view or hatred toward those who hold another view of morality, the person holding such hatred becomes absorbed in it. It dominates their thinking and it becomes the epicenter of a behavior that spreads out to general intolerance of any who are different or think differently. And the hatred is personal toward an individual or groups of individuals.
I pray that these children understand that you do hate behavior, but you do not hate people. There is behavior that we should hate, but our emotion should never carry over to the individuals involved in that behavior. And even in hating behavior, because we are not you and we do not have the ability to so clearly distinguish between behavior and people, we need to be sparing in behavior we choose to hate. Too easily can we cross that boundary and begin hating those who practice the behavior.
While these children hate oppression and defend the oppressed, may they also have pity on the oppressor for what lays in store for them at your judgment if they do not repent. May they understand that those in other cultures (but for the leaders) are rarely in control of their surroundings and are merely following leadership and the teaching they have received - and even the leaders are products of their own upbringing. May they understand that political views are not so black and white as to merit hatred.
I pray that these children err on the side of mercy, compassion and understanding, that they hate behavior, not people, and that they even hate behavior sparingly.
Amen
Your teachings throughout your word are clear. We have been forgiven, therefore we must forgive. We have been shown mercy, therefore we must be merciful, we have been given grace, therefore we must show grace. But my observation of true hate is that it rises above the level of mere unforgivness. It seems to become an obsession, an addiction. Whether it is hatred toward an ethnic group or hatred toward another culture, or hatred toward another faith or hatred toward people who hold another political view or hatred toward those who hold another view of morality, the person holding such hatred becomes absorbed in it. It dominates their thinking and it becomes the epicenter of a behavior that spreads out to general intolerance of any who are different or think differently. And the hatred is personal toward an individual or groups of individuals.
I pray that these children understand that you do hate behavior, but you do not hate people. There is behavior that we should hate, but our emotion should never carry over to the individuals involved in that behavior. And even in hating behavior, because we are not you and we do not have the ability to so clearly distinguish between behavior and people, we need to be sparing in behavior we choose to hate. Too easily can we cross that boundary and begin hating those who practice the behavior.
While these children hate oppression and defend the oppressed, may they also have pity on the oppressor for what lays in store for them at your judgment if they do not repent. May they understand that those in other cultures (but for the leaders) are rarely in control of their surroundings and are merely following leadership and the teaching they have received - and even the leaders are products of their own upbringing. May they understand that political views are not so black and white as to merit hatred.
I pray that these children err on the side of mercy, compassion and understanding, that they hate behavior, not people, and that they even hate behavior sparingly.
Amen
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Sinful Nature - Witchcraft. Galatians 5:20
Dear Father,
Obviously I pray that these children not be drawn into the Occult. It has an allure that can draw young people who are looking for something new and exciting. I pray that they do not fall into that trap. But, just like idolatry is not confined to creating and worshipping godlike figures, neither is witchcraft confined to the actual practice of witchcraft. Whereas idolatry involves crafting a god that we design and can control, witchcraft involves trying to be god. When we try to control our surroundings or control people, we are attempting to control this world to our ends. That is the substance of witchcraft - using and controlling the things of the world (including people) to meet our selfish needs. It involves manipulation, exerting power and placing others under our thumb.
I pray that these children never try to take on your job. That they never try to be in control of those around them. That they allow you to be in control and that they see their role as tending your creation for your glory.
Amen
Obviously I pray that these children not be drawn into the Occult. It has an allure that can draw young people who are looking for something new and exciting. I pray that they do not fall into that trap. But, just like idolatry is not confined to creating and worshipping godlike figures, neither is witchcraft confined to the actual practice of witchcraft. Whereas idolatry involves crafting a god that we design and can control, witchcraft involves trying to be god. When we try to control our surroundings or control people, we are attempting to control this world to our ends. That is the substance of witchcraft - using and controlling the things of the world (including people) to meet our selfish needs. It involves manipulation, exerting power and placing others under our thumb.
I pray that these children never try to take on your job. That they never try to be in control of those around them. That they allow you to be in control and that they see their role as tending your creation for your glory.
Amen
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sinful Nature - Idolatry - Galatians 5:20
Dear Father,
I pray that these children quickly come to understand idolatry in all its forms. Whether it is money, or power, or position, or popularity, or a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a sports hero, or a church leader, or success, or accomplishment, or victory over others, or security, help them to see anything that can be worshipped in place of you. Show them the feet of clay all of these idols have - that they can never give true security or happiness. Help them to quickly learn that the only person or thing that can truly be relied upon is you.
Amen
I pray that these children quickly come to understand idolatry in all its forms. Whether it is money, or power, or position, or popularity, or a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a sports hero, or a church leader, or success, or accomplishment, or victory over others, or security, help them to see anything that can be worshipped in place of you. Show them the feet of clay all of these idols have - that they can never give true security or happiness. Help them to quickly learn that the only person or thing that can truly be relied upon is you.
Amen
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sinful Nature - Debauchery. Galatians 5:19
Dear Father,
It is every young person's temptation to walk on the partying side in high school and college. I pray that these children are able to avoid that temptation, but more importantly help them to see and observe that behavior that might seem fun or cool in high school and college, becomes ugly and destructive as adults. Help them to notice the families that are blown apart by drugs and alcohol, children who are left motherless and fatherless. Help them to see the ugly side of "partying" and thereby to keep their distance. Help them to learn that alcoholics and drug addicts did not start out intending to be so, but drifted into that condition gradually. Give them the ability to see these truths play out in the world and that they have wisdom and discernment beyond their years about such things.
Amen
It is every young person's temptation to walk on the partying side in high school and college. I pray that these children are able to avoid that temptation, but more importantly help them to see and observe that behavior that might seem fun or cool in high school and college, becomes ugly and destructive as adults. Help them to notice the families that are blown apart by drugs and alcohol, children who are left motherless and fatherless. Help them to see the ugly side of "partying" and thereby to keep their distance. Help them to learn that alcoholics and drug addicts did not start out intending to be so, but drifted into that condition gradually. Give them the ability to see these truths play out in the world and that they have wisdom and discernment beyond their years about such things.
Amen
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A new one on the way!
Dearest Father of Mercies,
You bless my life in so many ways. I thank you for soon adding another little one to those who call me grandad. I do not deserve these kind of blessings, but I thank you so much for them. I pray that you be with KH, that she and the baby will continue to be healthy and that the delivery be without mishap. Subside KH's morning sickness so that she can continue her activities. I pray that you add even greater wisdom to LH and KH so that they can discern the parenting techniques that will be best for this child and his or her differences from Geo and ISH. I pray for Geo and ISH as big brothers, that they will be Godly influences on this new little one. I also pray as LH and KH continue to seek a child to adopt, that you will guide this path in your wisdom.
Amen
You bless my life in so many ways. I thank you for soon adding another little one to those who call me grandad. I do not deserve these kind of blessings, but I thank you so much for them. I pray that you be with KH, that she and the baby will continue to be healthy and that the delivery be without mishap. Subside KH's morning sickness so that she can continue her activities. I pray that you add even greater wisdom to LH and KH so that they can discern the parenting techniques that will be best for this child and his or her differences from Geo and ISH. I pray for Geo and ISH as big brothers, that they will be Godly influences on this new little one. I also pray as LH and KH continue to seek a child to adopt, that you will guide this path in your wisdom.
Amen
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Sinful Nature - Impurity - Galatians 5:19
Father,
I pray that these children come quickly to understand that immorality is much more than sexual activity outside of marriage. May they understand that sexual impurity includes what they watch on television, what they look at on the Internet, what movies they watch, what jokes they laugh at and what music they listen to. I pray that they understand that what
Jesus meant when he said "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34)
May they understand that it is impossible for things they listen to and things they watch not to affect them. They will receive counsel, even from "church friends" to compromise in this area, to watch things that "aren't that bad". Give them the strength of conviction and wisdom beyond their years to turn from that counsel, recognizing the negative impact of the cumulative effect of "impure eyes" and, instead to be an influence for purity with those around them.
Amen
I pray that these children come quickly to understand that immorality is much more than sexual activity outside of marriage. May they understand that sexual impurity includes what they watch on television, what they look at on the Internet, what movies they watch, what jokes they laugh at and what music they listen to. I pray that they understand that what
Jesus meant when he said "Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness." (Luke 11:34)
May they understand that it is impossible for things they listen to and things they watch not to affect them. They will receive counsel, even from "church friends" to compromise in this area, to watch things that "aren't that bad". Give them the strength of conviction and wisdom beyond their years to turn from that counsel, recognizing the negative impact of the cumulative effect of "impure eyes" and, instead to be an influence for purity with those around them.
Amen
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