On Our Hearts: Forgotten Children

Heavenly Father,

Today we just lift up those children who have been forgotten. So many children around the world have slipped through the cracks and are wandering. To the innocent baby born to a drug addicted mother, to the teenager who left an abusive home to live on the streets, they all need our love and prayers. There are children in foster care who bounce from home to home never fully understanding what it means to be loved in a secure and stable environment. There are children who have been abandoned emotionally by parents who desire drugs or alcohol over the care of their children. And to the unborn child whose mother is uncertain of her decision to follow through with the pregnancy, we pray for all of them.

Lord, we ask that You lift out Your loving hands to each of these children who are in need of love. Protect them and comfort them as they struggle to find peace in their surroundings. Let their eyes only see the beauty that You have created around them. Put people in their lives that are willing to do what it takes to provide a loving home for them. Father we ask that You watch over the unborn and that You protect them from harm. Change the hearts of mothers and fathers who may have turned their back on their children. Show them the way to get sober and clean and give them a support system to help them when it gets too hard to cope. Father no matter how dire or disheartening the situation a child faces we know that You can work supernaturally to protect their hearts. We praise You Lord, for You do the work when we cannot.

Amen

"The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: 'Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in.' Then gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them." Mark 10:13-16

On Our Hearts: Praying For Haiti Day Four

This week we are dedicating our blog to the people of Haiti. Among the heartache and devastation we are praying for those dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake. Join us as we lift up the Haitian people and the rescue workers.

Father,

Today we pray for the children of Haiti. What a confusing disruptive time this must be for them. Some have lost parents, siblings, family members, and friends. Their surroundings may be confusing and unfamiliar, as many homes are destroyed and their own 'home' looks different. Their precious lovey or blanket may be buried in the rubble and they feel all alone amidst the devastation that surrounds them.

Father, we pray for comfort for these children, for someone to wrap their arms around them, to hug them and help ease their fear. We pray for someone to wipe away the tears and read them a book or give them a toy to play with. We pray that they are fed, their medical needs are taken care of, and that they have shelter. We pray they may be reunited with missing family members. We just pray that among the chaos that these children be children.


Amen

"Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on him." Mark 10:16

On Our Hearts: Missed Blessings

How many times have we found ourselves wishing and hoping for something to happen? Have you ever caught yourself saying, I wish this was better, I wish I didn't have to do such and such? What about taking it to the Lord? How many blessings were missed just simply because we didn't let the Lord take control? For all those times that we were grumbling what if we had fallen on our knees instead of finding the first person we come to and complaining to them? The Lord wants to bless us. He LIVES to bless us if we would only let Him. Like the woman at the well just going about her daily life she was not expecting to be blessed but one semi-honest conversation with Jesus and suddenly her life changes. She didn't have to do anything extraordinary, she just talked to Him - even though in those days she knew a Jew wouldn't dare speak to a Samaritan. She didn't speak in tongues, she didn't have a prayer closet or a special CD of praise music, she talked to Him while she was getting water from a well. I can't count the number of times I'm at the sink rinsing out sippy cups or scrubbing a pan. Jesus is in the kitchen too, you know. Talking to Him should be as natural as picking up the phone and calling our best friend.


Lord, we ask that You forgive us for all the blessings we missed. For all the times you wanted to show us just how much You really love us. Lead us in a way that requires us to lean on You. May we feel your presence when we're looking for guidance. May we find you wherever we are - in the car, at the store, in a meeting, or at the little league game. Give us the desire to come to You first - not our friends, our co-workers, or those unhealthy vices. Lord You are the only one who can direct our path, You are the only one who supplies all of our needs, and You are the only one who can show us perfect love. May we never again miss an opportunity for a blessing because of our own selfishness.

Amen

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24

"The woman said, 'I know that Messiah' is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.' Then Jesus declared, 'I who speak to you am he.'" John 4:25,26

On Our Hearts: Patience

Heavenly Father,

There are so many things that we have prayed for and yet we still wait for Your answer. We are at the mercy of Your perfect timing - unfortunately we are not so good at waiting. We continually seek immediate and self-gratifying answers though You have told us to wait and be patient. We can't see the big picture that You have so carefully painted for us. We're too eager to skip past all the "little" things and just get to the end result.

Lord, we know deep down that You have an awesome plan for our lives. We know that as our Father You know what is best for us. We also know that no amount of manipulating or plotting will get us the result You desire for us. We ask that You give us the patience to wait. Give us a joyful spirit in faith that You will answer our prayers, that You will give us what we seek. God, You are our Provider, Deliverer, and Companion we put our hope in You.

Amen

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." John 15:7