Another milestone for this mother! Last week our youngest child, Samuel, graduated from college. Although, witnessing fruit in the lives of our children continues to be incredibly rewarding, I’m pretty confident my kids are not perfect!
If you hang out with them long enough you may see their imperfections – just like the same would be true of their mom! I’m thankful for those imperfections as they continue to support our need for a Savior. And because if they didn’t exist it would mean they had gone on to be with the Lord. No matter how hard we strive to progress in holiness, none of us will reach true perfection this side of heaven.
I strongly believe prayer has been and continues to be my most effective parenting tool! I recently pulled out my little white notebook where I have recorded very specific prayers I have prayed over my children for many YEARS.
Here are a few of my most consistent prayers.
BEAR FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT DAILY
- May ________ walk by the Spirit and bear fruit daily in the work that he/she does and increase in the knowledge of You.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23
LOVE (the greatest commandment and a fruit of the Spirit)
- LORD, help ____________ love You will all her/his heart and with all his/her soul and with all his/her mind. Matthew 22:37
- LORD, help _____________ to love his/her neighbor as himself/herself.
- LORD, give _____________ a heart to love and pray for his/her enemy. Matthew 5:44
- LORD, give _____________ a love & desire for your Word & may that desire grow daily. Allow Your Holy Spirt to teach him/her. Give them a clear understanding and passion for You through Your Word. 1 Peter 2:2
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
DESIRE RIGHTEOUSNESS
- LORD, may ________ desire righteousness and be repulsed by his/her own sin and experience Godly sorrow that would lead to repentance.
PROTECTION
- LORD, put Your hedge of protection around ____________. Guard his/her heart, mind, and body. Although, he/she may be surrounded by evil may it not touch him/her.
I would love to know what specific prayers you pray over your children!
Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky