Dear Father,
I have seen how addiction of all kinds has destroyed lives and families. I pray that these children see and understand the consequences of addiction. I pray that they understand that no one sets out with the intent of being an addict. That they see that substance addiction begins with "trying something". That sexual addiction begins with clicking on an Internet page. Give them the wisdom to recognize the risk and the will to resist. I our society, particularly in the area of sexual addiction, it will take all the strength you will give them to avoid the trap. Through your Spirit, empower them to rise above the mire to walk on your paths.
Amen
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Sinful Nature - Jealousy and Envy. Galatians 5:20-21
Dear Father,
I know that the root of jealousy and envy is a feeling that our identity comes from what we own, where we live, what we drive, the position we hold, boyfriend/girlfriend, popularity, husband/wife, children or any other "possessions". It is easy to fall into that trap when we look around instead of looking up. I have been there in my life. I thank you that you have gradually taught me otherwise, though I'm not completely cured.
I pray that you save these children from that path. I pray early on in their lives that they see clearly that the only identity that has any substance or any meaning is the identity that we find in you. It is the only identity that endures, the only one that will not let us down regardless of the circumstances.
Help these children to be able to have clear examples of the emptiness and uncertainty that comes from possession/position identity. Help them to have maturity beyond their years to understand what they see so that they seek you and only you for their identity.
Amen
I know that the root of jealousy and envy is a feeling that our identity comes from what we own, where we live, what we drive, the position we hold, boyfriend/girlfriend, popularity, husband/wife, children or any other "possessions". It is easy to fall into that trap when we look around instead of looking up. I have been there in my life. I thank you that you have gradually taught me otherwise, though I'm not completely cured.
I pray that you save these children from that path. I pray early on in their lives that they see clearly that the only identity that has any substance or any meaning is the identity that we find in you. It is the only identity that endures, the only one that will not let us down regardless of the circumstances.
Help these children to be able to have clear examples of the emptiness and uncertainty that comes from possession/position identity. Help them to have maturity beyond their years to understand what they see so that they seek you and only you for their identity.
Amen
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Sinful Nature - Discord, Dissensions, Factions. Galatians 5:20
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
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
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
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