Pursue Peace - Psalm 34:14-15

Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

     and his ears are attentive to their cry; Psalm 34:14-15

Dear Father,

I do pray that these children turn from evil. But they can't live effectively by simply avoiding a negative. That does not lead to the abundant life of promise. It is not sustainable. I pray that they also seek peace, the betterment of man, not only seeking peace for its own sake, but peace that leads to the dignity of all mankind and the breaking of the bonds of oppression and injustice. 

And as they set their shoulder to the wheel of promoting justice, hear their cries when they grow weary, frustrated and discouraged. Give them more of your Spirit's power to sustain them and give them the courage to go on. 

Amen

Truthfulness - Psalm 34:12-13

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,  keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. (Psalms 34:12, 13)

Dear Father,

I have witnessed what happens in relationships when truthfulness is not present. Friendships, marriages, families are destroyed. Truth telling is a habit as is lie telling. One lie and the next one is easier. One lie and another to cover the first.

I pray two things today. First that during their years of growing up they witness and recognize for what it is a pattern of untruthfullness in another person and that they see the destruction it causes for that person and the hurt it causes for everyone around them. Secondly that they internalize that image and commit for themselves that they will live a life of truthfulness, honesty and integrity.

Amen

Fear The Lord - Psalm 34:11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the  Lord . (Psalms 34:11)

Dear Lord,

I pray that these children learn:

1. To grasp the awesomeness of your power that was able to create the universe and all that is in it.

2. To grasp the awesomeness of your intellect that despite the vastness of your creation, you are still able to have a direct relationship with each person.

3. To grasp the awesomeness of your wisdom that you are able to discern what is best for an entire creation.

4. To grasp the totality of your holiness which demands perfection from all that approach you.

5. To grasp the terrifying reality of any attempt by us to stand in your presence in our imperfection.

6. To grasp the awesomeness if your love that you, in your Son, gave yourself to purify us so that we can not only stand in your presence, but draw close in loving relationship.

7. To grasp that for those you love, you will discipline when we wander away from you and your ways.

8. To grasp that some day you will make all things new and that they will be a part of that new creation.

9. To grasp the reality that in the process of new creation, those who ignored your love and your sacrifice in Jesus will be destroyed.

I pray that these little ones never take lightly the truth of your judgment, but that they also come to fully understand the confidence they can have in your continual forgiveness and salvation by faith in your Son, regardless of their continuing human failures. That thereby they feel secure in your arms of grace and mercy while at the same time have a healthy fear of your discipline and the consequences of rejecting your salvation.

Amen

Lions Grow Weak Psalm 34:10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the  Lord  lack no good thing. (Psalms 34:10)

Dear Father,

These children will see others around them appear to succeed who do not follow after you, who reject your ways and who mistreat people. They appear to be strong and powerful. They have friends and they gang up and bully those around them like a pride of lions. They will see this not only in school but they will see adults behave this way in a more socially acceptable manner. These children will wonder whether you are still there, whether you care, whether you will do anything and whether it is worthwhile to follow after you. I pray that you help them to see that you are patient even with the bullies. That you usually meet out your justice slowly, allowing people many opportunities to change their ways. But help them also to know that just as the powerful lion grows hungry and is never fully satisfied, so are they who oppress others. They are still empty inside as only you can fill the heart completely. That just as the seemingly invincible lion grows older and the younger lion challenges and wins, so will the bully secumb to a stronger bully. And just as the deposed lion is attacked and destroyed by his stronger foe, so will the bully be destroyed, if not in this life, at death capping the end of a meaningless life and ultimately destroyed by your righteous judgment.

But show them that you fill completely. You fill even when they are being oppressed.  Help them know that as your children, there is never a younger stronger rival to challenge them. They are secure in ther status and that even when they grow physically weak and old, by your Spirit, they are still mighty warriors for you until the day they leave this life.

Amen

The Lord Provides Psalm 34:9

Fear the  Lord , you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. (Psalms 34:9)

Dear Father,

These children will likely see times when they are not sure how they will make it through a challenge facing them in their life. I pray that they will come to trust in your power to deliver them and provide what they need in every circumstance to help see them through their obstacles. Help them to build that trust in their youth by showing them clear examples of your deliverance. And in dark days in which they cry out to you, fulfill your promise of provision and delivery.

Amen

Taste of the Lord's goodness Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the  Lord  is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalms 34:8 NIV)

Dear Father,

The world lures us with enticement of false goodness. As the fruit in the garden, it appears good and pleasing and satisfying. It appears to give us knowledge, wisdom, importance. But it is truly a lure and as the fish in the lake swallow the lure to their demise, so we too are taken down the path of destruction when we take the evil one's lure.

I pray that these little ones will taste your goodness so that they understand the real thing to distinguish it from the artificial lure. This verse tells us to try you out, to take you for a test drive to see what you will do. I pray that these little ones will do that. That they will taste of you and your goodness and by that they will know what true goodness is. As they taste you and thereby begin to trust you, I pray that they fully take refuge in you, that they fully place their trust in you as the supplier of true goodness.

Amen

The Angel of The Lord Encamps around His People - Psalm 34:7

The angel of the  Lord  encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalms 34:7).      

Dear Father,

We see the word "fear" and we think of being afraid of some kind of tyrant. However, we know from the totality of scripture that our "fear" should be a sense of awe at your power and respect for the fact that you do punish sin. But we also know that it all changes for us when you give us your Spirit to indwell us. By His presence we are adopted children, loved by you in a very close and intimate way. We should never, though, lose the "fear" of the power and righteousness of you.

I pray that these children grow to understand your power and your righteous nature and never take their forgiveness and redemption for granted, but also to understand the deep love you have for them. By that knowledge, I pray they seek refuge in you and your power against the forces of evil who will be against them as they attempt to live for you. As they make their feeble efforts to follow you, encamp your angels around them as a strong defense. Give them a vision and understanding of the spiritual war that surrounds them. With that understanding I pray that they draw closer to you and your protection, but at the same time please go before them as they enter the battle with courage. Though I pray for their protection, I ask more that they be mighty warriors in the battle for men's souls and that your angels encamp around them and their fellow warriors in the battle.


Amen