Re-post: Writing a Prayer

I had once published a blog about writing a daily prayer for my husband and children.  I've been feeling drawn back to this habit, which I had let go of a while back as life got busy.  But, I just realize how life CANNOT be too busy for God's provision, protection, and discipline in our lives.  So, I thought I'd both remind myself and those of you who happen to read my blog posts.

I copied these prayers into my Google calendar along with specific verses of prayer for each day for the kids and Justin.  For Example: Monday - Prayers that the kids use wise words with a scripture verse to pray over them. Prayers for Justin that he be a Godly representation at work. This calendar then gets sent to my phone each morning so I can pray before I get out of bed.

Maybe this might be encouraging to some of you.  It helps remind me to be praying because life can get crazy!

Original Post

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I've been inspired and challenged by Brooke to pray a prayer each day for my children and my husband.   I've always had a verse chosen that represented my prayer for them as they grow. But, I've never considered writing a prayer I would pray for them, each day, that would include a biblical direction, washing them over in the word, and sending them along life's path covered by God's grace.  To pray a prayer for their hearts would be my greatest pleasure.  For this year I've chosen to borrow Brooke's prayers and cover my home with God's perfect word.

For my Children:

“Lord, You alone change hearts of stone, to hearts of flesh. Place Your Spirit within my children and cause them to walk in Your statutes and to be careful to obey Your rules. For You know the plans You have for them; plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope. Let them fear You Lord, and thus have a foundation for wisdom and a heart for instruction. Let them receive wisdom and incline their hearts to understanding. Help them not to lean on their own limited understanding, but in all their ways to acknowledge You so that their paths will be straight. Protect them from walking in the counsel of the wicked and standing in the way of sinners, but lead them to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. May they abide in the shadow of the Almighty and not fear the terror by night. May they walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. Instead, may they be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May their minds and thoughts be fixed on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything worthy of praise. May they not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of their minds. May they discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. May their love be genuine. May they abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. May they love one another with brotherly affection, outdoing one another in honor. May they do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than themselves. May they lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make them to dwell in safety. Bless them Lord, and keep them, and make Your face shine upon them…and be gracious to them.”

(Scripture references: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 1:3, Psalm 91, Galatians 5:16&22, Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:9-10, Psalm 4:8, Numbers 6:24).

For my Husband:

“Lord, create in my husband a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. Help him to abide in You and You in him. Turn his heart toward his children and the hearts of his children to him. Thank you for Him Lord. For allowing me to rest in Your provision of him as my husband. May he desire to be like You; merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. As he believes in You, may he be established. Continue to empower him to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with his God. I give thanks for him lord, and pray that You would give him a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, that he may always know what is the hope to which he has been called, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward your believers. Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow You. May Christ dwell richly in his heart through faith. May he, being rooted and grounded in love, have strength with all the saints to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May Your grace be sufficient for him and Your power made perfect in his weakness. May he walk not in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but rather delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Answer him when he calls, O God, be gracious and hear his prayers. Let him take refuge in You and give thanks to You with his whole heart. May he recount all of Your wonderful deeds, be glad and exult in You…sing praise to Your Name. May he fear You Lord, and thus find wisdom. Let him walk in the way of insight. May he love the Lord his God with all of his heart and all his soul and all his might. May You bless him and keep him and make Your face shine upon him, and be gracious to him, O Lord my God.”

(Scripture references: Psalm 51:10, John 15:4, Malachi 4:5-6, Psalm 86:15, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 1:17-19, Luke 9:23, Ephesians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 7:1, Psalm 9:1-2, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Numbers 6:24)

Turning 7-and a Prayer

I say this every time but I always feel like I can't believe when  my children turn yet another year older.  I didn't expect time to fly to quickly as a mother.  

I just love this little boy.  My first, my special Cole.  From the first time I felt him wiggling in the womb, I knew he was strong willed, mighty, a leader.  I spent many hours praying the Lord would build up in him a warrior for Him, a leader with steadfast character. 

Although his flesh often battles this calling on his life, I can see in him a strong yet tender leader (I catch glimpses of it from time to time.)  I see the things he is most driven by, the things that captivate his attention, and although there is a war waging inside of him as to what he will serve, I can see Christ pulling him, calling him, moving him to dedicate himself to the things of God.

It isn't easy to be the First born son of four other siblings.  It also isn't easy to be the mother of boys.  It's a high calling God has placed on me.  To raise Warrior men, who serve the High King, who love unconditionally others more than themselves, so they might one day be husbands and fathers of their own.

Whoa...I often question my own ability to this job.  Then I realize, I don't do the job.  Christ does the job through me.  I so often and I mean often, fail to remember who is in control of my children's faith and future.  I am only the vessel by which Christ will captivate their hearts.  

I waste so much time "trying" to do my best instead of humbly allowing God to transform me so He might also transform my children. To talk about Him when we walk, when we lay down, to write it on the walls, and to live the Gospel as a living, breathing, thing. To make life's wonders about His Glory.

Well, with each birthday I'm reminded how much I long for him to grow into an amazing young man and how quickly the years seem to be slipping.  But, God knows his future, God knows his heart, his real heart. Not the one frustrated or distracted by his brothers, but the person he is when no one is looking and who he will grow to be.  

That simply leaves prayer on my part.  I recently spoke with a woman whose children I find to be amazing and incredible.  I asked her how she did it.  She told me simply Prayer.  This has sunken deep with me.

I'm going to post some birthday pics then below write down a simple description of the Biblical character Justin and I have chosen to relate to Cole.  The goal is to pray the character and qualities of this person of God over Cole that he would be transformed to be more like him. 

Cole took 3 good buddies Bowling for his birthday!

Father, I pray for Cole to be like King David (both as a boy and a man, the warrior that defied a Giant and the one who ruled a Kingdom). Build in him a Noble leader and a passionate, unashamed worshiper that will lead to an intimacy with you.

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, and warrior mindset to wage for Christ.  Help him to serve people and rule as a leader who points to Christ. 

I pray that 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. 

Father keep his from a wandering heart, a love of worldly belongings as David plundered his victims and sought his own satisfaction in Bathsheba.  And just as you did with Bathsheba and Solomon, use Cole's sin for your Glory. 

Drive in his a repentant heart, a humble fear of You, and a desire to walk the narrow path. Refine him Lord in your fire. 

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 (Isrealites) 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.

Losing the Battle in Hopes of Someday Winning the War

I've lost my way a bit. Today was the pinnacle of several weeks stacking on top of each other.  I've been, in my mind, a very intentional, heart felt, seeking mother (seeking God's will).  We expect a lot from our children, we have done training (we should do it more often) to teach them what we expect from them in specific situations, we discipline in most cases with a purpose focused on the heart of the child...I could go on. 

These are not to pat myself on the back because in the last few weeks I've become exhausted with the bickering between my children.  Mostly my boys.  We talk about love, sacrifice, speaking kindly, sharing, we encourage them, talk with them, step in instead of letting it get the best of my effort.  I rarely check out and am almost always checked in to my children and what they are doing and how they are treating each other.

At this point I'm feeling pecked to death with bickering and choices which defy everything I feel I've spent the last six years teaching them.  That may sound dramatic and I'm not a dramatic mom.  But, I'm feeling a li-ttle tired of spending my days mediating.

I'm guessing this is happening with no coincidence that my husband is gone at least 3 nights each week working on a project in Flagstaff and it seems to always bring a new challenge.  

Well tonight, after putting the kids to bed early after a long day and climaxing after finding out the hose in the backyard has been slowly running since yesterday and no one bothered to turn it off...I melted.  

What do I do?  I refuse to continue beating my head against the wall saying the same things over and over. 

I refuse to allow satan to get the best of my most important job in this world.

Where is the love, the sharing, the forgiveness, the brotherhood...

I reminded myself of three simple things:

• 1. This IS my job.  Teaching, coaching, mediating, encouraging, correcting, discipline...repeat (for an undetermined amount of time!)
• 2. They are precious gifts, blessings, whose hearts must continue to be molded and formed. And although early bed time was necessary and a perfectly acceptable response to their behavior, I must rejuvenate and re energize my dedication to being their MOTHER and allow them NEW MERCIES EACH DAY.
• 3. PRAY.  I forgot to pray.  I've allowed the prayer for my boys, the ones from 21 Days of Prayer, the prayers covering them with scripture, the prayers to start our day...I've let our busy schedule allow the praying to become secondary.  NO WONDER WHY they are acting crazy.  We've given satan a bone...
• I'm taking it back.  I must fight this battle with PRAYER, PATIENCE, GRACE, DISCIPLINE, JOY, LOVE....REPEAT (for an undetermined amount of time).

I'm actually renewed just sitting here in the quiet of my home now, with 5 sleeping, precious children not far from my touch, considering how often I lose my way from God's way. I let the mediating, the talking, the encouraging, the describing, the constant 'working' confuse my mind as to what is most important and who I'm serving with this very special job.  

Nothing is more important than PRAYING and staying the course.  I must remember, daily, to reveal the JOY that is motherhood, encourage in LOVE, mediate with them in GRACE so they might one day do the same on their very own. 

I may have lost the battle these past few weeks but I'm on a coarse to hopefully someday participate with the Lord in winning the War of their hearts.  To train up warriors whose HEART belongs to God.

Warrior Pray-ers

Obedience....Oh Obedience.  It is the most important part of training we are experiencing now. With so many little ones so small we spend much time working on Obedience. And not just obedience but doing it with a happy heart, a fresh attitude, and a joyful spirit. Along with that obeying the first time I call, beckon, give and instruction, etc. You get the point right! 

We know God has given us the calling of training up our children and to do so in order that they might obey is a significant part of that training.  We also want them to experience blessings and obedience is the first Commandment with a promise. We desire to see that promise fulfilled in our children.

So, we train, we talk, we teach, we impart, we discuss, we beckon, we plead, we instruct, we discipline, we form hearts and we do it all again tomorrow because the work is never done. Even in myself God's work is never done. We are God's instrument. 


With all of this in mind I LOVED that Warrior Prayers prayers for this week was Obedience.  I think I will continue to pray these prayers even as we continue with Warrior Prayers. This one will stick with my prayer list.

Writing a Prayer

I've been inspired and challenged by Brooke to pray a prayer each day for my children and my husband.   I've always had a verse chosen that represented my prayer for them as they grow. But, I've never considered writing a prayer I would pray for them, each day, that would include a biblical direction, washing them over in the word, and sending them along life's path covered by God's grace.  To pray a prayer for their hearts would be my greatest pleasure.  For this year I've chosen to borrow Brooke's prayers and cover my home with God's perfect word.

For my Children:

“Lord, You alone change hearts of stone, to hearts of flesh. Place Your Spirit within my children and cause them to walk in Your statutes and to be careful to obey Your rules. For You know the plans You have for them; plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope. Let them fear You Lord, and thus have a foundation for wisdom and a heart for instruction. Let them receive wisdom and incline their hearts to understanding. Help them not to lean on their own limited understanding, but in all their ways to acknowledge You so that their paths will be straight. Protect them from walking in the counsel of the wicked and standing in the way of sinners, but lead them to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. May they abide in the shadow of the Almighty and not fear the terror by night. May they walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. Instead, may they be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May their minds and thoughts be fixed on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything worthy of praise. May they not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of their minds. May they discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. May their love be genuine. May they abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. May they love one another with brotherly affection, outdoing one another in honor. May they do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than themselves. May they lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make them to dwell in safety. Bless them Lord, and keep them, and make Your face shine upon them…and be gracious to them.”

(Scripture references: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 1:3, Psalm 91, Galatians 5:16&22, Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:9-10, Psalm 4:8, Numbers 6:24).

For my Husband:

“Lord, create in my husband a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. Help him to abide in You and You in him. Turn his heart toward his children and the hearts of his children to him. Thank you for Him Lord. For allowing me to rest in Your provision of him as my husband. May he desire to be like You; merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. As he believes in You, may he be established. Continue to empower him to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with his God. I give thanks for him lord, and pray that You would give him a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, that he may always know what is the hope to which he has been called, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward your believers. Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily to follow You. May Christ dwell richly in his heart through faith. May he, being rooted and grounded in love, have strength with all the saints to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. May Your grace be sufficient for him and Your power made perfect in his weakness. May he walk not in the counsel of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but rather delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Answer him when he calls, O God, be gracious and hear his prayers. Let him take refuge in You and give thanks to You with his whole heart. May he recount all of Your wonderful deeds, be glad and exult in You…sing praise to Your Name. May he fear You Lord, and thus find wisdom. Let him walk in the way of insight. May he love the Lord his God with all of his heart and all his soul and all his might. May You bless him and keep him and make Your face shine upon him, and be gracious to him, O Lord my God.”

(Scripture references: Psalm 51:10, John 15:4, Malachi 4:5-6, Psalm 86:15, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Micah 6:8, Ephesians 1:17-19, Luke 9:23, Ephesians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 1:1, Psalm 4:1, Psalm 7:1, Psalm 9:1-2, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Numbers 6:24)

Warrior Pray-ers

I'm joining up with M.O.B to pray over my children each day of the week in areas they need it most. I'm very, very excited.  You can catch my continuing posts about Prayer Warriors at my devotional Blog here and I'll occasionally come back here to post more updates. I'm expecting God to do BIG things in the hearts of our children. 

 

Prayers for a joyful heart

Joy is different than happiness.

"We don't care what *Seth* does when he grows up, " she said, "we just want him to be happy."  And I cringed as she said it, this Christian woman I've known all my life.  Because deep down inside I believe that there's more than happiness in life to aspire to.  Sure, I wish happiness for my sons.  But if I had to choose between them being happy for a season & living in sin, or being miserable for a season & loving Jesus with all their hearts...well, I'd choose the latter.


Happiness is not necessarily holiness. 

Men who cheat on their wives, neglect their children and look at porn each night before bed can be perfectly happy with their lifestyle.  No, happiness is fleeting.  But joy comes from a right relationship with Christ.  This week let's pray for the joy of the Lord to root itself deeply into our precious sons' hearts.  And while we're at it, let's ask the Lord to make us relish the joy of our salvation as well.

Monday:  May the joy of the Lord be our sons' strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

Tuesday:  May our sons be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22)

Wednesday:  May our sons go out in joy and be led forth in peace (Isaiah 55:12)

Thursday:  May the God of hope fill our sons with all joy and peace as they trust in him, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)

Friday:   May our sons go to the altar of God, to God, their joy and their delight (Psalm 43:4)

Saturday: May our sons count it all joy when they meet trials of various kinds, as the testing of their faith produces steadfastness. May they let steadfastness have its full effect, that they may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:1-4)

Sunday:  May our sons know that while weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5)