Praying for Children, Part 2

While Larry and I are regrouping from Carly's hospitalization last week, we are so thankful for praying friends and the assurances that we have from God's Word. He is ever faithful to comfort and encourage us through friends but our most perfect, available and trustworthy support is from God Himself as He reveals Himself to us through the Bible.

I often find myself praying that my children will keep learning this reality — that the Word of God is a most powerful way to connect with who He is and understand His profound love for them. With that introduction, let us continue to pray together for the many children in our lives (whether our own or those we still love deeply).

Sweeter Than Honey

How sweet are your words to my taste. PSALM 119:103

Lord,

Today I pray that my children would love Your Word.

• Because "the law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul," may my children realize how much they need Your refreshment (v. 7).
• Because "the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy," may my children take risks to build their lives on Your Word (v. 7).
• Because "the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart," may my children take genuine delight in studying the Bible (v.8).
• Because "the commands of the LORD are radient, giving light to the eyes," may my kids use Your Word to make important decisions (v.8).
• Because "the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever," may my children revere, honor, and worship You all of their lives (v.9).
• Because "the ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous," may my children rely on them to test every other belief, philosophy, or lifestyle they encounter (v.9).
• Because your ordinances "are sweeter than honey," may my children crave the Bible more than any other book (v.10).

I pray, Lord, that by loving Your Word, my children will recive important warnings about life and be blessed with great personal reward (v.11). Amen.

From "Praying the Bible for Your Children" by David & Heather Kopp.

Join us again tomorrow to pray about kids with special gifts.

Praying for Children, Part 1

Since our family has been struggling with health issues including Carly's hospitalization last week, neither Larry nor I have been able to post here. Nothing too serious and she's on the mend. It has been, however, a time for a lot of prayer and reminders of the value of praying friends. In Carly's Care Page today I wrote:

"...the prayers of compassionate, genuine, tenacious friends availeth much and preach deeply into our hearts of God's love, power and mercy towards us."

The Christmas after Carly was born, I gave Larry the book "Praying the Bible for Your Children" because I had also been appreciating David and Heather Kopp's "Praying the Bible for Your Marriage." Both have been updated and reprinted since then and I'm very thankful because I believe them to be important prayer tools. Valued resources in our own library, I got to thinking I will quote a series of prayers for the next several days as a way to give us some time to regroup as a family while continuing to keep us all on our knees for the children in our lives and the marriages we hold together before the Lord.

Speak, Lord — I'm Listening...

Based on 1 Samuel 1:3-8-10

O Lord God,

Please call my children to You by name as You called Samuel and as You have called me (Isa. 43:1). Thank You that You promise to knock patiently on the door of each heart in this family (Rev. 3:20). Thank You that You pursue us (Ps. 139:5)! You did it for me—do the same for each of my children.

Yes, pursue them, Lord. Keep calling them—as You did with Samuel—until each child has said, "Yes, Lord. I'm listening."

Your promise of salvation is for children of all ages—in fact, for everyone who answers Your call (Acts 2:39; Rom. 10:13). Thank You for Your promise that as my children hear You and believe in You, they will pass from death to life (John 5:24)!

May I be like Eli, who encouraged Samuel to say yes to You. May I never hinder my children from responding to You (Mark 10:14). May I never say, "Not now, honey." Or, "You're too young."

And far beyond the first "Yes, Lord!" may my children listen carefully to Your voice and answer quickly as long as they live.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

From "Praying the Bible for Your Children" by David & Heather Kopp.

Coming up tomorrow..."Sweeter Than Honey" and a prayer from Psalm 19.

Let's Wave Our Swords!

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. JOSHUA 1:8

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. HEBREWS 4:12

I started 2011 on an unexpected reading adventure. Perhaps knowing how this process is blessing me will also inspire you in some way. As I share my own experience, please consider adding your voice to the discussion. Larry and I want this blogging experience to be an interactive discussion for the purposes of spurring one another on while also bringing glory to God our Father.

Somewhere around the first of January I made the spontaneous decision to read the entire Bible in 90 days. Since I’m a bit of a realist, I have never seriously considered attempting this before. My decision was made, in part, out of anger — anger with the enemy. I’ve been desperate for progress with Carly’s challenges lately and am trusting that my “waving of the sword” will incline the Lord to respond powerfully, decisively and mercifully. Since Carly’s nights have been extraordinarily challenging, I have also had ample opportunity to lay beside her for hours on end in the quiet glow of my iPod reading from an “app” that guides and tracks my daily readings. Sometimes we both even listen to lullabies based on scripture from a CD my sister gave her for Christmas. I could practically be an Apple commercial cuddled there multi-tasking like that from my iTouch!

I’m finding this an exciting journey! Right there in the middle of the night — in the middle of a dark room and sometimes very dark circumstances — I can email myself verses that are enlightening, challenging or comforting. During the day, I’ve been compiling these verses into a list that will be like a “pillar of fire” to continue guiding and strengthening me for each twist and turn. This will be something I’m going to remember for years to come.

Do you find yourself grappling to understand God’s leading in some area of your life?

What strategies do you use most often when trying to figure out the way to God’s will and satisfying living? Though we can be tempted to lean on family, friends, a self-help book, a long walk or lakeside sunset for enlightenment, God assures there is great reward in saturating ourselves in His Word.

If you haven’t already considered it, know that from the Bible you will hear God’s voice more clearly and better recognize His promptings. Consider beginning and/or ending every day feasting on His Word. Maybe a 90-Day Reading Plan isn’t something you can tackle right now but how about a Psalm-a-Day plan or reading the book of John?

Tell Us! — In what ways is God watering your life with his Words lately?

ISAIAH 55:10-13

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”