All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord (Proverbs 16:2)
Dear Father,
A rare person is intentionally evil, but most of us believe that our intentions are good. We are not good as self-examination. But you know our true motives and you know that in our fallen state there is selfishness baked into even our "purest" motives and I seriously doubt that such can be fully extricated from our motivations.
But I pray that, by the power of your transforming Spirit, you transform their motives to become less and less infiltrated with selfishness. Help them to recognize the signs of selfishness. Help them to become skilled at self examination and self-correction, without becoming so self critical that they are robbed of the joy of living in your grace. And help them to discern your motives and purposes so that they can better conform theirs to yours.
Amen
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Joy of Encouraging - Proverbs 15:23
A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23)
Dear Father,
I pray that these children be given the wisdom to choose words well. That is a special gift and it is one that Romans 12 tells us comes from you as the gift of teaching and the gift of encouragement. But this proverb tells us that you intend for us to receive joy from that ability - joy from teaching well, joy from selecting just the right words to encourage another. I pray that you give these children that joy to the fullest. And that by experiencing that joy, they are encouraged to teach and encourage all the more. I pray that part of that joy comes from them understanding the ripple effect of each teaching word or encouragement word aptly and timely spoken.
Amen
and how good is a timely word! (Proverbs 15:23)
Dear Father,
I pray that these children be given the wisdom to choose words well. That is a special gift and it is one that Romans 12 tells us comes from you as the gift of teaching and the gift of encouragement. But this proverb tells us that you intend for us to receive joy from that ability - joy from teaching well, joy from selecting just the right words to encourage another. I pray that you give these children that joy to the fullest. And that by experiencing that joy, they are encouraged to teach and encourage all the more. I pray that part of that joy comes from them understanding the ripple effect of each teaching word or encouragement word aptly and timely spoken.
Amen
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Better a Little with the Lord - Proverbs 15:16,17
Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
than great wealth with turmoil.
Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred. (Proverbs 15:16,17)
than a fattened calf with hatred. (Proverbs 15:16,17)
Dear Father,
I pray that these children learn at an early age that possessions do not bring happiness. I pray that they are in situations in the world to witness people who have very little, but who are happy and that they see people who are wealthy who are extraordinarily unhappy. I pray that from this they will see that only in you is true happiness, only by following your principles will they be fulfilled. I pray that they will never say or think "when this happens or that happens or when I have this or that, then I will be happy". Thinking that "someday" happiness will come when they are married, or have children or get the children grown, or have the bigger house, or pay off the house, or retire or.....any number of things that might happen in the future. Rather help them to live in the moment with you, living out your will and your love in the present.
Amen
A Gentle Answer - Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
Father,
Our natural reaction when verbally attacked, insulted or criticized is to strike back. It is so difficult not to respond in kind to verbal offenses against us.
But I pray that these children develop a cool head, an ability to think through situations to develop calm reponses that lead to reasoned discussion, rather than to escalated confrontation. Give them extraordinary wisdom and insight to choose words that lower the temperature while bringing the other person to think about what they are doing and saying. From that ability, I pray they are able to turn people who might otherwise be or become enemies into life long friends and that they, thereby, influence others to develop similar interpersonal skills. I pray that this skill leads them to become leaders and that they use that leadership skill for the good of your kingdom.
Amen
but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1)
Father,
Our natural reaction when verbally attacked, insulted or criticized is to strike back. It is so difficult not to respond in kind to verbal offenses against us.
But I pray that these children develop a cool head, an ability to think through situations to develop calm reponses that lead to reasoned discussion, rather than to escalated confrontation. Give them extraordinary wisdom and insight to choose words that lower the temperature while bringing the other person to think about what they are doing and saying. From that ability, I pray they are able to turn people who might otherwise be or become enemies into life long friends and that they, thereby, influence others to develop similar interpersonal skills. I pray that this skill leads them to become leaders and that they use that leadership skill for the good of your kingdom.
Amen
Making Amends - Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright. (Proverbs 14:9)
Dear Father,
Immaturity leads us not to be willing to acknowledge fault; pride keeps us from asking forgiveness. I pray that these children develop a healthy self image such that they are able to honestly assess their actions and reach out to those they have hurt with honest apologies. May they be quick to forgive and quick rebuild relationships that may be damaged or broken. Help them to keep their pride under control so that they feel no need for defensiveness. May they be known as peacemakers.
Amen
but goodwill is found among the upright. (Proverbs 14:9)
Dear Father,
Immaturity leads us not to be willing to acknowledge fault; pride keeps us from asking forgiveness. I pray that these children develop a healthy self image such that they are able to honestly assess their actions and reach out to those they have hurt with honest apologies. May they be quick to forgive and quick rebuild relationships that may be damaged or broken. Help them to keep their pride under control so that they feel no need for defensiveness. May they be known as peacemakers.
Amen
Wise Investing - Proverbs 13
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:8, 11, 22)
Dear Father,
You speak a great deal to us about money. You are understandably concerned that it will become our idol, our god. You are a jealous God, not because you are mean spirited, but because you know that all other "gods" will fail us and leave us empty. Only you can save, only you can fill. At the same time you give us wisdom with regard to money. Through your servant, Paul, we are told not to rely on wealth, but to enjoy some and then to be very generous with it. In these proverbs, you tell us the practical points that money can hold us ransom, it can control out lives, but without it we are pretty powerless against oppression and oppressors. You tell us not to be lured by dishonest or get rich quick schemes, rather to patiently accumulate and invest and you tell us that we should endeavor to pass down some of what you give us to our descendants.
I pray that these children develop a healthy view of money. That it is neither evil nor holy. That it can be used for evil purposes or as a poor substitute for you, but that it can also be used for holy purposes. I pray that you give them success financially and that you teach them to deeply understand the source of those blessings and that you give them the wisdom to use those blessings for holy purposes - supporting their loved ones as you command they do, that they enjoy some without guilt as you intend that they do, that they pass some down to their children and grandchildren as you want them to do, but that they also learn to be extremely generous with what you give them.
Bless them with the joy of being part of your distribution system.
Amen
Dear Father,
You speak a great deal to us about money. You are understandably concerned that it will become our idol, our god. You are a jealous God, not because you are mean spirited, but because you know that all other "gods" will fail us and leave us empty. Only you can save, only you can fill. At the same time you give us wisdom with regard to money. Through your servant, Paul, we are told not to rely on wealth, but to enjoy some and then to be very generous with it. In these proverbs, you tell us the practical points that money can hold us ransom, it can control out lives, but without it we are pretty powerless against oppression and oppressors. You tell us not to be lured by dishonest or get rich quick schemes, rather to patiently accumulate and invest and you tell us that we should endeavor to pass down some of what you give us to our descendants.
I pray that these children develop a healthy view of money. That it is neither evil nor holy. That it can be used for evil purposes or as a poor substitute for you, but that it can also be used for holy purposes. I pray that you give them success financially and that you teach them to deeply understand the source of those blessings and that you give them the wisdom to use those blessings for holy purposes - supporting their loved ones as you command they do, that they enjoy some without guilt as you intend that they do, that they pass some down to their children and grandchildren as you want them to do, but that they also learn to be extremely generous with what you give them.
Bless them with the joy of being part of your distribution system.
Amen
Monday, April 1, 2013
Choosing Friends Wisely - Proverbs 12:26
The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray (Proverbs 12:26)
Dear Father,
So often for children, the people who are most quickly willing to accept new people as friends are those who are not good influences. I pray that you give these children a special ability of discernment and wisdom to be able to see into the hearts of those who would befriend them. I then pray that these children will choose to avoid developing close friendships with those who might lead them into paths away from you. Though I pray they have compassion on those who are rejected by the majority of their classmates, I pray that they understand that many are rejected for good reason because they are doing things they shouldn't be doing. Give these children a strong confidence in their standing with you so that they do not feel a desperate need to have a multitude of friends. And in that confidence, I pray that they become the kind of people who attract people to their godly behavior.
Amen
but the way of the wicked leads them astray (Proverbs 12:26)
Dear Father,
So often for children, the people who are most quickly willing to accept new people as friends are those who are not good influences. I pray that you give these children a special ability of discernment and wisdom to be able to see into the hearts of those who would befriend them. I then pray that these children will choose to avoid developing close friendships with those who might lead them into paths away from you. Though I pray they have compassion on those who are rejected by the majority of their classmates, I pray that they understand that many are rejected for good reason because they are doing things they shouldn't be doing. Give these children a strong confidence in their standing with you so that they do not feel a desperate need to have a multitude of friends. And in that confidence, I pray that they become the kind of people who attract people to their godly behavior.
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)