Let’s start 2018 right by committing to pray for our children.

Self-Control

Lord, I pray that You would help our children to control themselves in their behaviors, thoughts, and motives.  God that You would give them the ability to make You the highest thing in their hearts and minds and chase hard after You.

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:6-7

Discernment

I pray, Father, that our children will be able to see truth in all situations and circumstances.  I ask Lord that they would be able to discern when they should speak and when they should be silent; when they should flee and when they should stand for truth.

“I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” Psalm 119:125

Influence and Favor

Lord I ask that You would give our children influence and favor with their peers and teachers.  I thank You, Father, that You go before and behind them and that You have ordered their steps.  Lord, I ask that they not fall to peer pressure but that they be a positive influence pointing people to You.

“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 139:5

Strength

I ask, Father, that You would make our children strong in their mind, body, and spirit.  Lord, I ask You to give them the strength they need to stand, even if it means standing alone.

“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32

Passion

Lord, I ask that You would grow passion in the hearts of our children to pursue You and to desire their own, intimate relationship with You.  I ask, God, that You would create an unquenchable thirst in them for You and Your glory.

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Submitted Hearts

Lord, I pray that You would give our children hearts that are submitted first to You, then their parents, and to authority figures.  I thank You, Lord, that our children are not rebellious in Jesus’s Name but submitted to the calling and authorities You have placed over them.

“Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

Adventure

I pray, Lord, that You would blow their minds.  Father, would You take them on their own great adventure?  I praise You, Lord, that a life spent seeking You is full of life and adventure.  Thrill them, Father.

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.  May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:4-5

Focus

I ask, God, that they would be so busy running hard after You that they would not be distracted.  I thank You, Father, that You have set their feet firmly on a path and they will not turn to the right or to the left.

“Whether you turn to the right of to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21

Good Friends    

Lord, you created us to need others.  I ask, God, that You would give our children good friends with hearts turned toward You.  May their friends be a support and an encouragement to them in their faith.  Lord, give them friends to stand with them.

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26

Hope

Lord, please grant our children hope.  Hope to believe that You are who you say you are.  Your promises are not only true, but are true for them.  You are their inheritance and it is in You that they place their hope.

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”  Psalm 33:20-22

My love,