God works in such cool ways, doesn’t He? Over the last several weeks I’ve been reminded to pray for certain things or specific people at different times throughout my days. To me, this is the Lord putting it on my heart and growing me in the area of prayer. In church a couple weeks ago, the children handed out hearts at the end of service with their name on it. We were to take one heart home, put it on the fridge and pray for that child as we saw it. There were several times where I prayed for the specific little girl’s name on my fridge. Even my one and a half year old daughter began to ask for my hands so we could pray when she would see it too, after me demonstrating that to her the first few times. I was so blessed by expanding my prayers for other children and especially seeing my daughter’s heart open to prayer, even in her limited understanding. Then in my Bible study last week, we were challenged after reading 1 Thessalonians, to think about who we pray for, like Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. Am I praying for my children to live worthy of their calling of the gospel and to please God with their lives? Am I praying this for the children of my friends in lifegroup as well? What a neat picture of community when we feel cared for in the power of prayer, not only for ourselves but for our children.
So I encourage you this week, as we look at the next 3 Biblical Virtues for our children, who can you expand your prayers for? Is there anyone else in your life that God is putting on your heart that needs your prayer? God is so good to hear our prayers. He is ready for you to come to Him.
These virtues focus on characteristics of God, praying for our children to be more like Him as they grow.
Justice. “God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do” (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8).
Mercy. “May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Respect (for self, others, authority). “Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands” (1 Peter :17)
(from excerpt by Bob Hostetler) pt. 3
~Sarah