"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship." - Galatians 4:4 - 5
Father,
You have initiated adoption. You love us as if we were Your own, making us Your own, though we have on our own drifted far from You. You love us unconditionally and give to us a love for You. You are our Father. You have bonded with us, and You give us the gift of loving and bonding with You. I ask that this same miraculous love would flow between adoptive parents and their children. Give mothers and fathers an unexplainable bond. Give the children, many of them wounded by deep rejection, a supernatural capacity to receive love. Bond them close. Create family ties where those ties seem impossible. God, for those families seeking now to adopt, give them courage to persevere. For those governments that make adoption difficult, break through and ease the process. With millions of orphans in the world, release a wave of new adoptions. Create and expand many families, and with Your own parents’ heart, give a new capacity to give and receive love. In Your Son's name I pray, amen.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Week 31 and Proverbs 31, Part 3
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." - Proverbs 31:25
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the wisdom, insight, and inspiration You have provided throughout the book of Proverbs. I pray that I would resemble the "wife of noble character" in Proverbs 31. I know that a close walk with You brings such nobility, so I ask that You draw me closer and closer to You in the coming days. Wrap me in strength and dignity. Let Your reflection shine through me during this pregnancy. Help me to trust in You and not fear the days ahead. Instead, let joy, laughter, and peace flood my soul in this hour. Thank You for the confidence I can have in You. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the wisdom, insight, and inspiration You have provided throughout the book of Proverbs. I pray that I would resemble the "wife of noble character" in Proverbs 31. I know that a close walk with You brings such nobility, so I ask that You draw me closer and closer to You in the coming days. Wrap me in strength and dignity. Let Your reflection shine through me during this pregnancy. Help me to trust in You and not fear the days ahead. Instead, let joy, laughter, and peace flood my soul in this hour. Thank You for the confidence I can have in You. Amen.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Man's Gifts vs. God's Gifts
"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." - Proverbs 19:14
Dear Lord,
Thank You for placing me right where You want me to be in life. It is so awesome to experience the things that You have ordained for me from the beginning. I ask today that You guard my heart from focusing on the worldly gifts that we could try to provide for our children. If it is in Your will to bless us with certain financial opportunities, let us recognize it and be good stewards. However, let my main focus be on providing a solid spiritual foundation for my family. I ask specifically that You help me to be prudent. Holy Spirit, fill me with discipline and sound judgment. Help me to be creative and frugal in the use of resources You have given us. Show me how to use my talents to the best of my ability. Allow these characteristics to be a blessing to my husband, children, and extended family. Amen.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for placing me right where You want me to be in life. It is so awesome to experience the things that You have ordained for me from the beginning. I ask today that You guard my heart from focusing on the worldly gifts that we could try to provide for our children. If it is in Your will to bless us with certain financial opportunities, let us recognize it and be good stewards. However, let my main focus be on providing a solid spiritual foundation for my family. I ask specifically that You help me to be prudent. Holy Spirit, fill me with discipline and sound judgment. Help me to be creative and frugal in the use of resources You have given us. Show me how to use my talents to the best of my ability. Allow these characteristics to be a blessing to my husband, children, and extended family. Amen.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Week 31 and Proverbs 31, Part 2
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'" - Proverbs 31:28-29
Dear God,
While my worth comes soley from You, the mere thought of a blessing from my child thrills me beyond measure. I hope that one day I will be able to see the fruits of the prayers and laboring of love that I have already sown into my little one. I want to stand as a mother that is praised by her children and husband for teaching, instructing, correcting, and persuading her children in the things of the Lord. I know that it takes consistency to see such fruit. So, I ask that You show how me how I can accomplish this each day. Help me to be diligent in the task ahead of me. Amen.
Dear God,
While my worth comes soley from You, the mere thought of a blessing from my child thrills me beyond measure. I hope that one day I will be able to see the fruits of the prayers and laboring of love that I have already sown into my little one. I want to stand as a mother that is praised by her children and husband for teaching, instructing, correcting, and persuading her children in the things of the Lord. I know that it takes consistency to see such fruit. So, I ask that You show how me how I can accomplish this each day. Help me to be diligent in the task ahead of me. Amen.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Bad Company
"Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." - 1 Corinthians 15:33
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for setting a standard for man to live by in Your Word. Help Adam and I to live acceptably in Your sight and to pass that example down to our child. Let us clearly see the good character traits that need to be built up and encouraged in this child. We want to play an active role in leading this child into life-affirming, not destructive, relationships. Give us boldness to stand when we need to stand and the strength to to endure when we need to endure. I pray that we would not allow any circumstance to infringe on the safety or godly upbringing that You desire for this child. Give us words to say and the ability to articulate what we feel and expect when it comes to our child or others. Show us how to promote healthy relationships and to be aware of his/her environments. In Your Son's name, amen.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for setting a standard for man to live by in Your Word. Help Adam and I to live acceptably in Your sight and to pass that example down to our child. Let us clearly see the good character traits that need to be built up and encouraged in this child. We want to play an active role in leading this child into life-affirming, not destructive, relationships. Give us boldness to stand when we need to stand and the strength to to endure when we need to endure. I pray that we would not allow any circumstance to infringe on the safety or godly upbringing that You desire for this child. Give us words to say and the ability to articulate what we feel and expect when it comes to our child or others. Show us how to promote healthy relationships and to be aware of his/her environments. In Your Son's name, amen.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Potential Spouse
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." - Genesis 2:24-25
Lord,
Today, I thank You for three years of wonderful marriage with Adam. You have given us an awesome opportunity to become sanctified through our relationship with one another and now through the process of raising a child. I pray that if our child's future involves this type of opportunity that You will raise up that special someone in his/her life in Your time. I ask that you would allow his/her spouse to come from a Christian home and that he/she would love You with all of his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray that you would help Adam and I to provide our child with a loving legacy of a long, lasting, committed marriage. Make our household a place in which love and affection flow freely. Let us show our child what dating relationships should be like and what to look for in a spouse. Give our child patience and endurance to wait on Your perfect will. Protect them as they seek to remain pure at heart throughout this process. Amen.
Lord,
Today, I thank You for three years of wonderful marriage with Adam. You have given us an awesome opportunity to become sanctified through our relationship with one another and now through the process of raising a child. I pray that if our child's future involves this type of opportunity that You will raise up that special someone in his/her life in Your time. I ask that you would allow his/her spouse to come from a Christian home and that he/she would love You with all of his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray that you would help Adam and I to provide our child with a loving legacy of a long, lasting, committed marriage. Make our household a place in which love and affection flow freely. Let us show our child what dating relationships should be like and what to look for in a spouse. Give our child patience and endurance to wait on Your perfect will. Protect them as they seek to remain pure at heart throughout this process. Amen.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Family of God
"I will receive you, I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." - 2 Corithians 6:17-18
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the privilege of being called Your daughter. I praise You that You didn't create us in a subservient way, but as a family. We are heirs to Your righteousness and partakers of all that You have made and ordained. I pray that my son/daughter will be called Your child as well, and that he/she will come to know You at and early age. Help him/her to grow in the knowledge and joy that he/she is part of Your family. Amen.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the privilege of being called Your daughter. I praise You that You didn't create us in a subservient way, but as a family. We are heirs to Your righteousness and partakers of all that You have made and ordained. I pray that my son/daughter will be called Your child as well, and that he/she will come to know You at and early age. Help him/her to grow in the knowledge and joy that he/she is part of Your family. Amen.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Spiritual Fathers
"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." - Titus 2:6-8
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the men that will be involved in my baby's life. I pray that You design each relationship with a purpose and significance. I ask that You secure a special bond between this baby and his/her father. Give Adam vision for what our family is to be like. Help him to be a man of self-control, integrity, seriousness, and sound speech. Draw both of us closer to You and closer to each other in order to raise this child in unity. Thank You for giving us a plan and design for families. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the men that will be involved in my baby's life. I pray that You design each relationship with a purpose and significance. I ask that You secure a special bond between this baby and his/her father. Give Adam vision for what our family is to be like. Help him to be a man of self-control, integrity, seriousness, and sound speech. Draw both of us closer to You and closer to each other in order to raise this child in unity. Thank You for giving us a plan and design for families. Amen.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Spiritual Mothers
"Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." - Titus 2:4-5
Lord,
I thank You for the things women and children can teach one another at all different ages of life. What a wonderful cycle! Today, I pray that You would find ways for me to be involved in mentor-type relationships, whether I am the mentor or am being mentored. No matter the gender of my baby, I ask that You give me a heart that will instruct purity, kindness, self-control, a submissive spirit, hard-work in the home, and love for You and Your Word. As my child grows older, give him/her mentors and friends that would cultivate a strong relationship with You. Allow my child, in turn, to be a blessing to others. In Your name, amen.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Blessings for Other Expectant Familes
"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" - Luke 1:41-42
Heavenly Father,
You continuously amaze me with the wonders of pregnancy. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given me thus far. I ask for similar blessings for my friends and family members that are also expecting. I know that You have a special plan for all of our children, and I pray for Your will to be done in all of their lives. It fuels my joy to know that others are experiencing the work of Your hands, as well. Help us to encourage one another and share in each other's lives and prayers. In Your name, amen.
Heavenly Father,
You continuously amaze me with the wonders of pregnancy. Thank You for all of the blessings You have given me thus far. I ask for similar blessings for my friends and family members that are also expecting. I know that You have a special plan for all of our children, and I pray for Your will to be done in all of their lives. It fuels my joy to know that others are experiencing the work of Your hands, as well. Help us to encourage one another and share in each other's lives and prayers. In Your name, amen.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Authority to Triumph
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:19
Lord,
We praise You today for the way that you have been working in our home to prepare for this baby. We know that no matter what we face, now or in the future, You have given us power over the enemy. We can stand firmly on Your Word and give all of our struggles to You. As Your children, we rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that we will continue to be empowered through Your Spirit. We love You! Amen.
Lord,
We praise You today for the way that you have been working in our home to prepare for this baby. We know that no matter what we face, now or in the future, You have given us power over the enemy. We can stand firmly on Your Word and give all of our struggles to You. As Your children, we rejoice that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life and that we will continue to be empowered through Your Spirit. We love You! Amen.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Powerful and Effective Prayers
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
God,
Thank You for Your master plan! Even when I don't know what to pray for my family, I know that when I come to You, Your Spirit will pray through me and You will work and move on my behalf. No matter what obstacles or difficulties I face, I am confident that if I remain in You, there is hope. I believe that as I act in obedience to pray, You will turn those prays effective. Help me to incorporate this discipline of prayer into my daily life and into the life of our child. Thank You for the power of prayer. Amen.
God,
Thank You for Your master plan! Even when I don't know what to pray for my family, I know that when I come to You, Your Spirit will pray through me and You will work and move on my behalf. No matter what obstacles or difficulties I face, I am confident that if I remain in You, there is hope. I believe that as I act in obedience to pray, You will turn those prays effective. Help me to incorporate this discipline of prayer into my daily life and into the life of our child. Thank You for the power of prayer. Amen.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Community
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the wonderful people in our lives who encourage and challenge us. We ask that you continue to surround us with strong Chrisitan family and friends who pray for our family and build up our spirits. Help us to not be caught up in pride and to lean on others when we need to. Strengthen us to ask for help when necessary. Refresh us in the times that we meet with family and friends. Thank you again, Lord, for the community that you provide. Amen!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the wonderful people in our lives who encourage and challenge us. We ask that you continue to surround us with strong Chrisitan family and friends who pray for our family and build up our spirits. Help us to not be caught up in pride and to lean on others when we need to. Strengthen us to ask for help when necessary. Refresh us in the times that we meet with family and friends. Thank you again, Lord, for the community that you provide. Amen!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Build our Spiritual House
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1
Lord,
You are the architect of our lives and our family. Your design is flawless and will stand the tests of this life. We invite you to be our engineer and general contractor, as well. Give us a solid foundation, and build up our lives in You. Let Your truths radiate through us to our children. Help us to rely not on our own efforts, but solely on You. Amen.
Lord,
You are the architect of our lives and our family. Your design is flawless and will stand the tests of this life. We invite you to be our engineer and general contractor, as well. Give us a solid foundation, and build up our lives in You. Let Your truths radiate through us to our children. Help us to rely not on our own efforts, but solely on You. Amen.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Clean Spiritual House
"You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me; but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments." - Exodus 20:5
Father,
You know all of the weaknesses in our family. You know in what areas we are continually drawn to sin. Lord, we repent for our household. We know the blood of Jesus covers all and that His work is complete through the cross. We pray that You redeem anything in this family that the enemy would like to claim as his. Seal, strengthen, and rebuild what he has already tarnished. Protect us. Do not let the enemy have a foothold. Search every nook and cranny in our spiritual house. Clean every closet. Remove anything that would hinder Your Spirit from moving in us. Thank You for restoration and redemption. Let this baby grow up in the confidence and knowledge that our foundation is sure and firm in You. Amen.
Father,
You know all of the weaknesses in our family. You know in what areas we are continually drawn to sin. Lord, we repent for our household. We know the blood of Jesus covers all and that His work is complete through the cross. We pray that You redeem anything in this family that the enemy would like to claim as his. Seal, strengthen, and rebuild what he has already tarnished. Protect us. Do not let the enemy have a foothold. Search every nook and cranny in our spiritual house. Clean every closet. Remove anything that would hinder Your Spirit from moving in us. Thank You for restoration and redemption. Let this baby grow up in the confidence and knowledge that our foundation is sure and firm in You. Amen.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Mentors
"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" - Job 12:12
"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and children." - Titus 2:4
Father,
Thank You for the examples of motherhood You've provided and continue to provide for me. Help me honor and respect the women in my life for the jobs they have done raising children. Allow my eyes and ears to see and hear the advice You may be sending me through others. Let me receive it as You intended. When ungodly advice is given, let Your Spirit fill me with graciousness and humility. Help me to respond in a kind and respectful fashion. Surround me with mentors that You have selected, and protect me from those whose advice is worldly and unhelpful. In Jesus' name, amen.
"These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and children." - Titus 2:4
Father,
Thank You for the examples of motherhood You've provided and continue to provide for me. Help me honor and respect the women in my life for the jobs they have done raising children. Allow my eyes and ears to see and hear the advice You may be sending me through others. Let me receive it as You intended. When ungodly advice is given, let Your Spirit fill me with graciousness and humility. Help me to respond in a kind and respectful fashion. Surround me with mentors that You have selected, and protect me from those whose advice is worldly and unhelpful. In Jesus' name, amen.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Spiritual Heritage
"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." - 1 Timothy 1:5
God,
Thank You for the spiritual heritages that Adam and I have been given through our families. I ask that You help us continue to seek out sound teaching and opportunities to exhibit our strong faith. Guard our hearts and doctrine closely. Help us reflect these things to our child and to pass on this strong heritage to the next generation of our family. Give our child a strong sense of his/her position in Your Kingdom. May he/she live a holy life and understand the lasting consequences of immorality. Enable us to see Your saving grace grow in this family year after year. Amen.
God,
Thank You for the spiritual heritages that Adam and I have been given through our families. I ask that You help us continue to seek out sound teaching and opportunities to exhibit our strong faith. Guard our hearts and doctrine closely. Help us reflect these things to our child and to pass on this strong heritage to the next generation of our family. Give our child a strong sense of his/her position in Your Kingdom. May he/she live a holy life and understand the lasting consequences of immorality. Enable us to see Your saving grace grow in this family year after year. Amen.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Thank You for Fathers
Proverbs 1:1-9
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Adam. I am continuously impressed by the giftings he has and his ability to lead our household. I ask that You bless him abundantly. Continue to draw him closer and closer to You. Prepare him for his new role as a father. Help me to encourage and strengthen his faith along the way. I also pray for any other men that will have spiritual impacts on my husband and future child. Use them to build up Adam/baby's character and to strengthen their beliefs. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for Adam. I am continuously impressed by the giftings he has and his ability to lead our household. I ask that You bless him abundantly. Continue to draw him closer and closer to You. Prepare him for his new role as a father. Help me to encourage and strengthen his faith along the way. I also pray for any other men that will have spiritual impacts on my husband and future child. Use them to build up Adam/baby's character and to strengthen their beliefs. Amen.
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