Guest Prayer: Raising Boys

We are so pleased to introduce you to our friend Crystal. As a very busy mom of four young (and adorable) boys she understands the challenges and blessings of raising boys in today's world. Moms of boys are faced with the unique challenge to form and shape someone who is completely opposite from them. So while they may have our hair or our eyes, we may never understand why we find rocks and bugs in their pockets on laundry day.

Today we have asked Crystal to share her prayer for her boys. So if you are a mom of boys you'll appreciate her honesty and her faith with the Lord. And even if you are a mom of girls, pray this prayer on behalf of the mother of your daughter's future husband.

Father, thank you so very much for the blessing of my children. When I had 4 boys in 3 years, little did I understand the job laid forth before me. Please work through me to instill a strong and abiding love for you. There are so many opportunities each day to invite you into our home. Even though we may be busy and distracted please help us see and use each and every opportunity to talk with you, about you, about your love for us, and our love for you. Forgive me when I let these opportunities pass by without notice.

They are only young for a fleeting time. In that short amount of time, help me create men who will grow to be loving husbands, fathers, brothers and friends. When I get overwhelmed with the energetic antics of young boys, help me remember that this time is special. It will not last forever. Help me cherish each and every day I have with them while they are young. The time will come for them to leave the nest, and when they do, I pray that they will have a strong foundation with which to build their own families. Help me to help them become the spiritual leaders in their own homes. So that knowledge of the love you have for us will remain strong for generations to come.

Thank you for the blessing of my family. I pray that you would continue to be with me, helping and guiding me, in one of my most important jobs on this earth, being a mother.

Amen

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

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: Our Children

Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for the blessing that is our children. We pray that You will be our guide as we direct their little hearts. Let us be loving yet consistent with our discipline, let us be thoughtful and sensitive as we dry their tears, and let us rejoice with them as they find happiness in the tiniest of things. Lord, we ask that we remember to hug them often when they are little and to slowly let go as they grow older. Most of all Lord, show us how to point them in the way of You. May we be the light they need to find You among so much evil.

Lord, we ask that you watch over our children. Be their shield and protect them from harm. Nourish their bodies to grow healthy and strong. Lord, fill their minds with the things that are honoring to You. We ask that You provide them with good friends and lots and lots of joy. We trust You, Lord, that you will provide them with all of their needs. In Jesus' name,

Amen

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

On Our Hearts: Praying For Haiti Day Five

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.

Heavenly Father,

We ask that we not forget about the Haiti people and their needs. Now that some time has passed and the earthquake is no longer the headline in the media, we need to remember that they are still in desperate help for our resources and prayers. We ask that the flood of support continue to flow into that country. We ask that volunteers continue to sign up and assist in the rescue, clean up, distribution, and medical areas. It's easy for those of us who are removed first-hand from the crisis to forget and focus on our own lives. Whether it be our money, time, or prayer it is all crucial to the Haitian people. Father we lift up those who are still physically hurting and ask that medical supplies be abundant to treat all the wounds. We ask that food and water supplies be replenished for the hungry and thirsty. And Lord we ask that order and peace return to Haiti as the rebuilding process begins. Father we know that You have not forgotten Your people, let us not forget as well.

Amen

"' Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

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: Praying For Haiti Day Three

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.

Heavenly Father,

We ask that you be with all the volunteers and rescue workers that are diligently sacrificing their time to help the people of Haiti. We know that the conditions are volatile and their surroundings appear bleak, but we ask that You just fill them with Your hope. Give them the energy and stamina to keep searching for even the smallest survivor. We ask that You equip them supernaturally so that they may lift debris to find life. Lord we ask that You give peace and order to that country. When so many are struggling to just find food and water, we ask that You expedite the rations so that all can receive what is necessary and then some. Lord please just wrap Your arms around those in Haiti, show them the love that You have for them. There are so many that are hurting and are looking for someone to blame, we just ask that Your light remain bright among darkness. We pray this in Jesus mighty name,

Amen

"Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

On Our Hearts: Praying For Haiti Day Two

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

Father,

The people of Haiti are suffering, they are hungry, they are desparate. They are hurting because they have lost family members either by death or by chaos.

There is so much to pray for.. for food and provision, for shelter- as most have been destroyed or unlivable, for medical aid and supplies, for peace in their hearts, that they are being prayed for and You are there.


It is hard to imagine what they must be feeling as most of us are blessed to have what we have. Live where we live. And to believe what we believe. Father I pray that through this they may see kindness, and in that kindness- Christ.

Amen

"I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!" Phillipians 4:19