Financial Stress Psalm 34:6

This poor man called, and the  Lord  heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalms 34:6)

Dear Lord,

As these children grow up and face the real world, they will encounter financial difficulty and stress. They will have times when making ends meet will seem impossible. They will wonder how they are going to make it. Add that to the normal stress of marriage and raising children and that stress can be debilitating. It can destroy marriages and relationships. It can destroy faith.

I firmly believe that a Christian who walks in faith and in community will be given his daily bread while in this life and will ultimately be saved of all his troubles in eternal life with you. I pray that these children will learn to walk by faith. Faith in your promises, desiring only their daily bread, realizing that to have more than that is a blessing from you and trusting that you will provide for them today and that tomorrow is in your hands. By that I pray that they are spared the trauma of worry, rather that they are able to live in joy in the midst of daily trials. Lift up their heads to see your face and your assurances. Protect their budding trust from the attack of the evil one, while you build their faith as they begin to look to you.

Amen

Confident Faces - Psalm 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalms 34:5)

Dear Father,

I pray that these children hold their heads high in confidence. Not arrogance, but confidence that you are with them in their walk. Confidence that their lives mean something because of you and your plan for them. Confidence that they are loved by you. Confidence that Jesus has paid the price for their shortcomings and failures such that they stand before you as victors. Confidence that with the Gospel, they hold the most valuable possession there is and that they can give it away many times over and yet still possess it themselves. Confidence that by the power of your Spirit living within them, they can change the world - one person at a time. Confidence that by giving their lives to you, they will gain life to the full. And confidence that in living life for you they will never be put to shame.

Amen

Delivery from Fears Psalm 34:4

I sought the  Lord , and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4)

Dear Father,

These children have and will experience fear and anxiety. This will not stop when they become adults. As you know, as fallen people, we fear because we turn our trust from you. No matter how strong our faith may be, fear will be there with us. This is not the fear that you placed in us as a natural protection system when faced with danger. That is not weakness, rather that is our natural design much like our immmune system.  

The fear that is part of our fallen nature is the conscious decision to worry and fret. Try as we might, we fall into this sin of faithlessness over and over. But the thought of you being able and willing to deliver us from our fearfulness is extraordinary. While we are in the midst of offending you by our disbelief, you can rescue us from that disbelief. "Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief". The compassion you show toward our fallenness is not at all logical and shows the depth of your love for us. 

If only we will seek you. 

Lord, I pray that these little ones will seek you in the midst of their fears. They will be unable to overcome their fears just by trying harder not to be afraid. But as they seek you in their weakness, show your compassion on them by delivering them from their fears, not necessarily delivering them from the circumstances causing their fears, but by strengthening their faith. 

Amen

Let the Afflicted Hear and Rejoice - Psalm 34:1-3

I will extol the  Lord  at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the  Lord ; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the  Lord  with me; let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:1-3 NIV84)

Dear Father,

There will be times when these children will be afflicted emotionally and physically as they pass through this life. The truth of  this Psalm is that the solution to healing in the midst of our affliction is to praise you from the depths of our souls. Even when things look hopeless, praise is the balm of our healing. Even as the final affliction takes us from this life to your presence, praise paves our path. 

I pray that these children grow to understand the power in praise of you. The connection to you, the source of ultimate healing, that praise forges. When they are tempted to withdraw within their affliction, spur their hearts with your Spirit to bring them to full bodied praise of all that you are. And by that, show them your presence and your power. 

Amen

A Fortress of Salvation - Psalm 28

Dear Father,

To you we call, O  Lord  our Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to these children.  For if you remain silent,  they will be like those who have gone down to the pit.  Hear their cries for mercy as they call to you for help,  as they lift up their hands  toward your Most Holy Place.  Praise be to you , for you have heard our cries for mercy for us and for these children.  You are their strength and their shield; I pray that their hearts trust in you, and are helped.  May their hearts leap for joy  and give thanks to you in song.  You are the strength of your people, a fortress of salvation for us.  Save these children and bless them; be their shepherd and carry them forever. 

Amen

Psalm 20

Dear Father,

Answer  them when they are in distress; by your name, the God of Jacob, protect them.  May you send them help from your sanctuary and grant them support from Zion. 

May you give them the desire of their hearts and make all their plans succeed.  We will shout for joy when they are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.  May you  grant all their requests. Now I know that the  Lord  saves his  children; you answer them from your holy heaven  with the saving power of your right hand.  

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the  Lord  our God. Others are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.  O  Lord , protect these little ones! Answer them when they call! (Psalms 20:1-9 NIV84)

Amen

The Heavens Declare your Glory - Psalms 19

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 

 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,  which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;  nothing is hidden from its heat. (Psalms 19:1-6 NIV84)

Dear Father,

I pray that these children are never blinded to your glory. Never deceived into denying your power. May they never tire of looking at the wonder of your creation and giving glory to you for it. I desire that they be educated people. But do not allow that education to pull them away from the awesomeness of your power. You are indeed the God of creation and your handiwork is obvious to all who honestly seek. 

Amen