Prayers for the Children

I've been working diligently on putting together prayers for the kids, which will be printed on canvas and hung in their rooms.  My friend and mentor talked with me about the power of praying your child's name.  In scripture G-d put a special significance on names, often re-naming people, and we see the power of their name in regards to situations, outcomes, and much more.  I knew this of course, to a degree, when choosing names for the children, but I eventually let my preference for a name override the power of the meaning.

 So, Justin and I decided to choose a biblical person in which we would pray over them their strengths and against their weaknesses.  The goal was to try and find biblical men and women who closely resembled that child in temperament, ability, characteristics, and more.  Then I compiled a list of qualities about each biblical person and typed a short description of who they were.  From that I put together a prayer for each of the kids. It actually was so encouraging and enlightening to see how G-d uses mere humans to do his powerful work. Each of the characters I've chosen has both positive and negative qualities.  Each of them G-d used for mighty purposes and they exemplify certain attributes of a Godly man or woman.

 I've typed 4 so far I still have Westin and Beau to do.  I might wait on theirs, I can't decide. I want to see more of who G-d created each of them to be and try and pair them up accordingly.  I ordered 12x12 canvases for each of the 4, using a Buy One Get One from Easy Canvas Prints  with Free Shipping.  I'm so very excited to see how they turned out and hang them in their rooms.  Most importantly I'm excited to pray these special prayers over my sweet children.  I am confident G-d hears our prayers and honors them in His way.  My goal is to raise children who love and honor Him and I pray this is just one of the paths in which to cover them with blessings and protection.

Cole--King David

Father, I pray for Cole to be like King David. A boy who defeated a Giant and a man who was called as King over your people.  Build in him a Noble Leader and a passionate, unashamed worshiper of you, which will lead to an intimacy  with you above all things.I pray he would be your Beloved, Father, that he would be a man after your heart, anointed by the spirit, found in your presence, protective, dedicated and selfless.Drive in him a repentant heart, a humble fear of you, and a desire to walk a narrow path. Refine him in your fire.Place in his heart a devotion and faithfulness to God, even when life take place in the desert or a cave. Place in him a tenderness and strength, a warrior mindset to wage war for Christ. Help him to serve people and rule as a leader who shows both compassion and wisdom.Father keep him from a wandering heart, a love of worldly belongings just as David plundered his victims and served his fleshly desires. In all instances,use his sin for your own Glory, making straight his crooked paths and drawing him nearer to you in those times.

King David was:

The biblical King David of Israel was known for his diverse skills as both a warrior and a writer of psalms. David was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse from the kingly tribe of Judah, also known as God' Chosen People. The name David means "beloved". David's life went from the desert, the palace, the cave the kingdom. He was a passionate, unashamed worshiper of God. God had David anointed to succeed Saul and "The Spirit of The Lord came upon David from that day forward."  David was skilled enough to slay a Lion and a Bear but tenderhearted and repentant enough to write Psalms. He was a keeper of Sheep; sacrificial, protective, dedicated. David grew in stature, favor and respect among the people (Israelites) and God.  David, in obedience to God, showed mercy to Saul so God's plan could be fulfilled.  He became a Noble leader of the people, fulfilling God's long-suffered plan.  David stood in God's presence at the foot of the Ark and fulfilled God's covenant and promise with Abraham.  He was utterly devoted and Faithful to God.  David was the Father of Bathsheba's son Solomon, known to be one of the wisest men in biblical history.  God used David's sin for His Glory. 

Brody--John the Baptist 

Father, I pray for Brody to emulate Joshua.  To be faithfully obedient to God, a mighty leader, and a servant leader.  Give him the strength to reveal, through his example, the path to salvation and abundant blessings. Give him the strength to be an attentive student, mindful of all you have for him to learn and do.  Give him courage to stand for your truth and to follow your desires for his life, that others may draw nearer to you because of him. Father, bless him with responsibility and a vast trust in you as he carries out those responsibilities for your Glory. Help him not to worry or have concern but to faithfully follow you, always trusting in your miraculous works and doing so with joy. Remind him daily to consult you concerning his ways.  Remind him of your faithfulness and supernatural provision.  Allow him to be a mighty example of dependence upon the Lord to those around him. Do not let him forget where his blessings come from and to always give you praise. Shower him with abundant humility and wisdom. 

Joshua was: 

Faithfully obedient to God. Joshua's name means, "the Lord is Salvation." This name selection was the first indicator that Joshua was a "type," or picture, of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Joshua was a godly leader bearing much favor from God as the Israelites entered the land He has given them. Some Bible scholars view Joshua as an Old Testament representation, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. What Moses(who represented the law) was unable to do, Joshua (Yeshua) achieved when he successfully led the people of God out of the desert to conquer their enemies and enter the Promised Land. His accomplishments point to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross—the defeat of God's enemy, Satan, the setting free of all believers from captivity to sin, and the opening of the way into the "Promised Land" of eternity. Joshua was also an attentive student. Joshua showed tremendous courage, despite the huge responsibility assigned to him. He was a brilliant military commander. Joshua prospered because he trusted God with every aspect of his life. Before battle, Joshua always consulted God.Obedience, faith, and dependence on God made Joshua one of Israel's strongest leaders. He provided a bold example for us to follow.

Trace--Judah

Father, I pray Trace can become a man as Judah was.  That like Judah, he can be fierce as a lion; focused, determined, and a skilled warrior.  May a soft, tenderhearted, service oriented side compliment his powerful, lion-like nature.  Call him out among men, to stand for you, leading with grace and a noble spirit.  Bless him father, as you did Judah, giving him a birthright as your son and an heir in your kingdom. Preserve his life and his family as they serve you all their days. Help him to take responsibility in the good times and the bad.  Help him to see the err of his ways and to not allow his fleshly desires to consume him.  Aide him in confronting his sin, just as Judah did, and use it for your glory.  Give him self control, swift thinking, powerful leadership, and victory over the enemy. Give him the strength to take risks for Christ, sacrificing himself for others, and exhibiting Godly justice in circumstances around him.   Help him keep his earthly appetites in submission to you and to joyfully, full of Praise, live a life in service to the King, royal and noble in his character. Fill him with devotion to you. Give him a lasting legacy.

Judah Was:

Judah was a natural leader, standing out among Jacob's sons receiving the first real blessing from Jacob.  He becomes the birthright of the land and the line of Christ.  Judah was able to take responsibility when wrong, the mark of a real man. Judah is also fierce, described like a lion, having his hand on the necks of his enemy's.  The name Judah means "to Praise".  Judah was a clear thinker, swiftly taking righteous action in pressured circumstances and achieving victory over his enemies.  Judah is fierce and willing to risks for God's victory.  He is also sacrificial, offering his life over that of his brother Benjamin, a picture of what the coming Messiah would do for us at the cross. Judah is the center of the royal line that would lead to the Christ, the King.  Judah is wild and earthy yet civilized and tempered swiftly offering justice.  Although Judah, at times, found it difficult to control is fleshly appetites he exhibited character and devotion to God, giving Praise to Him.

Brynn--Hannah

Father, create in Brynn a heart and faith like that of Hannah.  Give her a powerful sense of prayer and trust in you and to do without ceasing.  Help her to find her hope in you and your provision and to put away the expectations and harshness of the world. Draw her to her knees and create in her heart a desire to know and serve only you. Bring to her a faithful husband. Bless her womb abundantly with the gift of children.  Show her the way to be a Godly mother, raising her children to also love and serve you all their days.Give her your wisdom, patience, and humility.  Make her tenderhearted, sacrificial, and an enduring example to those around her. Use her strong personality to be persistent for righteousness and bold for your love.Just as Hannah did, Lord, help her to never give up. Give her the strength to press on in the faith and praise you in everything, being loyal, showing mercy and spreading kindness to all people.

Hannah Was: 

Hannah is one of the most poignant characters in the Old Testament. Like several other women in the Bible, she was barren. Hannah believed in God's presence and power so much she prayed without for a child. She prayed so deeply Eli believed her to be possessed, but as she explained her praying, Eli spoke a blessing over her and Hannah's womb was opened. She gave birth to Samuel, which means "God Hears". She was a woman of her word, and remembered her promise to God, so she gave her son Samuel back to the Lord's service.  Because of her faithfulness and integrity God again blessed Hannah again with 5 more children. Her faithfulness and love of the Father allowed for her son Samuel to become a great man in biblical history, acting as Israels last Judge, first Prophet and counselor to King Saul and David.  Hannah was persistent, patient, loving, tenderhearted, and a sacrificial mother. She was devout in her prayers and humble towards God and others. Hannah teaches us to never give up, pray without ceasing, remember your promises to God, and to praise him for his kindness and love. Hannah also teaches us to show mercy and kindness to those who tease and put us down, trusting God for his greater plans.