The Refuge of The Lord - Psalm 34:22

The  Lord  will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. (Psalm 34:22)

Lord,

I pray that these little ones, as they give their lives to you, never live in fear of condemnation. May they learn and understand grace and realize that it is not their accomplishments that will save them not even the degree of their avoidance of sin. Rather it will be that they never stop taking refuge in you. That they never stop looking to you for their salvation. That they never abandon life within your protection for life in the sinful nature.

Amen

The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted - Psalm 34:17-20

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

Dear Father,

With the perspective of the cross, I know that these promises must be viewed in light of the eternal. Certainly the martyrs were not delivered in the current age. But indeed they were delivered in three ways:  their delivery to your presence on their death, their resurrection unbroken on the day you make all things new and by the fact that their cause prevailed, even in their apparent defeat. The most important part of this promise is that you a near to human suffering. You do not observe from a safe distance, unconcerned by the human misery that exists in your creation. Because of the brokenness of your creation and the rebellious sin that  caused and continues to cause that brokenness, the majority of human kind is brokenhearted and suffering at any point in time. 

I pray that in their times of brokenheartedness, these children feel your closeness. That they sense that you are hurting with them with a plan for their redemption from their troubles. I pray that you work in those times to do things that will strengthen, not break their faith. In all things Lord work all things for their good and their ultimate benefit as the plans of the evil one are thwarted. 

Amen

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