I'm all about this new year!! I mean I'm ALL OVER THE newness of a new year. I'm thinking and dreaming and planning and hoping and praying for all manner of "NEW" in this year of 2012 for myself and my family.
New Years Day night I took my middle son to Sonic for a milkshake and low and behold our local book store was open right around the corner. And what do you think I did?? Why yes....I went into this book store after we bought milkshakes and bought me a fancy shmancy new journal. In red. :) I'm in love. This is a part of that "newness."
Yesterday I went to my journal and with it being the 1st day of school, I recorded what I wanted for my children this semester. My oldest is 15, middle is 14, and the youngest is 11. I am praying these things over my children...EVERY SINGLE DAY....NOT AS NEEDED....EVERY SINGLE DAY.....
**confidence: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." Jeremiah 17:7
**courage: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
**peace: "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." 1 Peter 3:11
**goodness: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1
These 4 topics are specific to each child, yet fit under an umbrella for the three of them. As I look back, each child has a specific reason why a particular topic came to mind as I wrote them down in my journal. Funny thing is...I didn't spend a whole lot of time wondering what the topic or theme would be. It quickly came and I had it penned in about 3 minutes.
This is what I want you momma's of younger kids to do...to develop and maintain a habit of....
Pray DAILY for specific things for your child. Pray for their day and whatever their need may be for that day, but also pray specific topics or themes over them DAILY!
If you feel your child needs prayer for self-esteem or discipline in an area, then you find you an oh so perfect scripture that meets that need and pray it DAILY for your sweet baby. Don't wait until you see a hole or weakness.
I think you get my drift here! Start praying specifics for them while they are young. Keep record of it. And commit to pray for your sweet son or daughter.....beyond what their need may be for that day.
Love y'all so~
7 comments:
Fran, I was thinking about you this morning. Remember when you posted about the blessings our children are missing out on when we don't pray for them? That's what I was reminding myself that I needed to be intentional about. Bless you for being bold to remind!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Fran. My kids are 8 and 6 and I know I need to get better about praying specifically for them. Can't wait to see you! Love, Ashley
I love it! I am more convicted than ever to pray for my girls every day. They need it. Mine are 10 and 6 and what I'm learning is that they want to KNOW that I am praying so I'm trying to tell them or leave a note that I did each day.
If we don't pray for them who will?? Great nugget Fran thanks for sharing....
Blessings
This is a great encouragement to me. My boys are 4 and 2 and I already see topics I need to commit to daily prayer. can't wait to get a brand spanking new journal...it will be a priority his weekend. :)
Fran, Thank you so much for this. Being a first time parent of a 4 year old (almost 5) son, I still have NO IDEA what I am doing on a day to day basis with discipline & teaching him, let alone, how to teach & nurture his heart when it comes to knowing Jesus.
It is honestly a burden for me, and I stress over it constantly on "HOW" to "Train a child in the way he should go - Prov 22:6" so that he knows, understands & loves Jesus right now at this young age, so that one day he will accept Jesus into his life as his Savior. I feel so unequipped in How and When to do that. Deut 11:19 says, "...talk about it when you sit at home, walk along the road and when you lie down & when you get up." I SO want to do that, but the method for a 4 year old, baffles me. It feels so odd and unnatural to just bring it up around the house and I know it shouldn't, but I wasn't raised this way and it feels odd to me. Then I wonder "What" to talk about once the moment is right? However, I don't want this fear or lack of experience or my raising, to stop me. We have a heart to raise our son in the Lord, I just don't want to screw it up, ya know?!!
All this to say, your little "nugget" of advice here, really hit a chord with me. I've never thought about praying scripture over my son. I love this idea about praying specifically for him on a few things, especially discipline & obedience! (Is this what you mean by praying a Theme over them?)
I am so grateful for this post, Fran. Now, to find appropriate scriptures! :D
Hollie♫
Fran,
I am so glad you started blogging regularly again! I found your blog about a year ago and enjoyed reading back through the entries. I have 3 boys, too. 16, 13, and 7. I relate a lot to what you write. Thanks for your encouragement...with three active boys I surely need it! :)
Jennifer
Post a Comment