Birthing Pains as Good

"My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you ..." - Galatians 4:19

Dear God,
Thank You for forming Christ in my life. I know that my walk has been a process and will continue to be until the day I come to spend eternity with You. I thank You that You are birthing new things in me daily, especially the opportunity to be a mother. As I grow in expectancy, prepare the heart of my son/daughter to receive You.  Cultivate a spirit that is teachable and workable. As I watch my child grow physically, spiritually, and emotionally, help me labor in love for him/her. Let me be encouraged to intercede in prayer for my children and stand in the gap when needed. Birth new things in my child each day, Lord. Help me not to focus on the birthing pains associated with spiritual and physical growth, but allow me to accept that such processes bring forth good. I ask for this strength in Your name, amen.

Reverence for God

"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." - Psalm 34:1

Father,
Thank You for Your love that is extended to us and through us. We know that we are the first window our child will look through to learn who You are and how to serve You. We ask that You begin to work in hearts and minds to cultivate Your Spirit. When our child is born, give us creative and simple ways to share Your truths, Word, and character. Help us grow in our areas of weakness so that we can effectively teach our children what it means to fear You. Amen.

Children as Messengers

"The Lord came down and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'" - 1 Samuel 3:10

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the example of Eli and Samuel, showing us that we should always look and listen for Your voice, even in the youngest of children. As a parent, Lord, use me to encourage this child in times when You are speaking to him/her. Let me not look down on him/her, but realize that You can illuminate his/her mind to understand things that I do not. Holy Spirit, guide me with discernment and wisdom in this area. In Your name, amen.

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.

Ears as the Discerner of Words

"Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?" - Job 12:11

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for the discernment that only You can provide. Today, I ask that You filter my speech and testing of words. Help me know what to say to my child and how to interpret his or her thoughts and feelings. I want my child to feel like he/she is being listened to and that his/her opinion is valued. Only through genuinely listening and discerning can I develop the type of relationship I desire with my child. Guide my mouth and ears as I begin to practice my communication with others today. Amen.

Use of Words

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." - Colossians 3:21

Dear God,
Thank You for Your Word that continually leads us in the paths of righteousness. I am always convicted by Your wisdom about words and how we use them. Today, I pray that You would set guards over our mouths and minds. Help Adam and I use our words to build up our child, not tear him/her down. Specifically, I pray that You would help us not to be overly harsh in punishment or too critical of our child's behavior. Let our expectations of him/her be appropriate; let us be consistent with our words and actions; and let us praise them enough for jobs well done. When we do fail to allow You to guide our speech and we embitter our child, let us be quick to recognize and seek forgiveness. In situations where others use words to hurt our child, help us to cultivate a heart of forgiveness and restoration in our child. Lord, keep our child's heart pure and encouraged by You and Your teachings. Amen.

Imitating Jesus

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children." - Ephesians 5:1

God,
I praise You today for leaving me an example that I can follow. As a child sometimes imitates his/her parents, help me to be an imitator of You. Holy Spirit, examine my heart and guide me to remove any words or actions that don't reflect You. Let me be a good example that my child can follow after. Raise us both up in Your image. Continue to reveal Your character to me on a daily basis so that I may relay that character to my child. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Pleasing God, not man

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." - Psalm 118:3

Father,
I am so thankful that Your opinion is the only one that really matters throughout life. It is much better to please You than to please men. When we live life with You in mind, it becomes much easier to walk in righteousness. I pray that You will help me as this baby's parent to live this truth as an example and to speak it openly so that it might take root in his/her heart. In Jesus' name, amen.

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.

Confidence in Him

"For the Lord will be your confidence" - Proverbs 3:26a

Dear God,
At times when I doubt or struggle and feel like I'm unable to handle this job you've called me to do, assure me that You are my confidence. There is nothing that You do not understand or know about me, my baby, or the future. Help me rest in You today and know that all things are in Your hands, moving according to Your plan. I want to be confident in You and in this wonderful experience You are giving me. Help this little one within me to know that You are his/her confidence in life, as well. Thank You for being the anchor and rock of my soul. Amen.

Entertainment

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. BUt everything exposed by the light becomes visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" - Ephesians 5:11-14

Dear God,
I thank You for Your Holy Spirit, that provides me with guidance and discernment at all times. Today, I ask that You show me truth and give me wisdom when it comes to entertainment. Help me know what criteria certain forms of entertainment must meet before I allow it in my home. Make me aware of the truths and untruths that are presented on television shows, movies, games, and the internet or in books, magazines, and music. Let me not be passive about what is going into the mind and heart of my little one. Help Adam and I guard our own hearts as well, so that we can be a good example to our child. Amen.

Discipline

"Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:9-11

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the correction You provide in the lives of Your children. You guide us and protect us, teaching us about the true life we can have in You as we learn and grow. Help Adam and I to do the same, providing the necessary guidelines that our child needs to develop properly. I specifically pray that You would supply us with the boldness we will need to be firm in leading our child. Help us to be consistent, not waivering in opinion or sending confusing messages. Let Your will be accomplished in this area so that our child will become the person You intended for him/her to be. Strengthen his/her character. In Your name, amen.

Purity

"But there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." - Ephesians 5:3

God,
Thank You for giving us direction so that we can fully enjoy life. We know that You only want what is best for us. Lord, help our child to understand that these are our intentions as well. In a culture where purity is almost obsolete, let us be living examples of purity in mind, heart, and deed. Show us where he/she may be receiving messages that are contrary to Your desires, and help us to intervene when it is according to Your will. If he/she falls short in this area, help us to be agents of restoration in his/her life. We ask for wisdom and knowledge in teaching our child about purity and other life-giving character traits. Guide us, Lord. Amen.

Work Ethic

"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'" - 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Dear God,
Thank You for the knowledge, strength, and giftings You have given me. Because of You, I am able to work and accomplish life goals that are important to our family. As I raise this child, I pray that You will help me display a strong work ethic in everything that I do. I pray that our child will be diligent and rewarded for a job well done. Show me, even as he/she is little, what things he/she can do that would encourage him/her to complete a task. Help me to build upon these tasks little by little so that he/she can reap a harvest of helpfulness, consistency, dependability, and diligence. Keeping a healthy balance, however, let our child not find his/her identity in work, but his/her purpose and rest in You. Amen.

Praise to Him

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise." - Psalm 8:2

Dear Lord,
I praise You today for everything You are to me and for everything You have given me. You have blessed me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I thank You for this little baby growing inside of me. I pray that praise would flow from my mouth continually, not only to You, but to everyone around me. Let it radiate into my family, friend groups, career, finances, and community. When I give praise to my child, let it bring life and blessing to him/her. In turn, let this little one understand that praise is something that people of any age can do. Let him/her praise You all of his/her days. Amen.

Training Our Child In Him

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

Father,
We realize that parenting is an ongoing process with an ultimate goal in mind. We want to instill in our child a lifetime of dedication to You and a stable Christian walk that will be maintained into adulthood and throughout generations to come. We dedicate all of our efforts to You and ask that you grant us the wisdom, knowledge, and strength we will need to raise this child up in You. Give us the tools we will need when we will need them. Let us not grow weary, but remain steadfast and consistent in our service to You. We ask that You be in charge of our child's life journey. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Obedience in the Lord

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." - Ephesians 6:1

Father,
Thank You for Your call to obedience in Your children. Let that obedience begin in us. Help us to listen to Your prompting when it comes to teaching our child how to obey. Direct us with Your Spirit. When he/she disobeys, show us how to teach and correct him/her effectively in a gentle and loving way. Help us teach our child about the fruitfulness of obedience, and let him/her experience it. We pray that he/she will be obedient to You and Your Word. Give us all strength to make wise choices daily. Amen.

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.

Samson and Manoah

"So Manoah asked him, 'When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?'" - Judges 13:12

Lord,
Thank You for the story of Samson's conception and birth. I ask that you will rise up fervency in us like that of Manoah and his wife. Let us be in unity concerning the spiritual raising of this child, and let our will line up with Yours. I pray that we will be godly parents and will teach this baby by example. Help us to live righteous lives through You, demonstrating salt and light in our home and to all those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Dedication to the Lord

"From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God." - Psalms 22:10

Lord,
Just as Hannah dedicated Samuel, we dedicate this child's life to You. We realize that we are earthly parents and that this child is truly Yours. You have entrusted this baby to us to instill Your Word in his/her heart and to instruct him/her in the fear and admonition of You. Surround us with the necessary people and tools to do so. Remind us that the spiritual raising of this child should be our top priority in parenting. Amen.