A Mother's Poem

In the quiet moments of the day,
I reflect on you and am filled with praise.
Hidden away from human eyes,
You're a miracle of God's design.

Expectantly I pray for you.
You're in my thoughts and in all I do.
What will you look like? What will you be?
What will you accomplish by age two or three?

You're like the morning, fresh and new,
Just as the roses kissed with dew.
I long for the day we're face to face,
Cradling you in my warm embrace.

My mother's heart is fully aware
Of all I'd like to teach and share.
I am immersed in joy and love
At God's blessed gift sent from above.

I pledge to parent with God's way in mind
And leave a legacy of faith behind.
My life, in turn, will be blessed, too,
Through the life that God has given you!

- Jennifer J. Weiss

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.

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.

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.

Introducing our child to Him

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' When He had placed His hands on them, he went on from there." - Matthew 19:13 - 14

Dear God,
Thank You for taking the time to extend Your hands and pray for Your children. Today, I ask that You give me a child-like faith - one that allows me to guide my child toward You. Help me to present You in a way that will be easily understood and accepted. Let living with You in our lives be a daily process. Let Your name be talked about and expressed openly and freely throughout our home. Help us, God, to make leading our child to know You a priority in our day. We ask this in Your name, amen.

Treasures Reflect the Heart

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be." - Luke 12:34

Father,
I thank You for the treasure that I have in my relationship with You and for the other blessings You have provided in my life. Today, I ask that You help me be an example to my child in the area of priorities. Let my priorities line up with Your will. When adjustments are needed, illuminate them. Help me to reorganize my treasures, even if it means putting fun, work, money, and others to the side. I want my heart to be fixed on You and Your will in my life. In Your name, 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.

Children and Leaders in the Church

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." - Psalm 122:1

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the support that we find in the community that we worship with. Fellowship with other Christians is vital to growth and edification, and we are so glad that You've placed us in a community where that can happen. Today, I pray that our church environment would be a positive place for the spiritual upbringing of our child. I ask for You to bless and guide those who will help nurture and rear our baby. Allow their gifts to be used in a way that best fosters growth in the children of our congregation. Also Lord, show me what level of involvement You would like me to have in our church's youth programs. Continue to guide me into the roles that You would have me serve. 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.

Teaching Our Child to Pray

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." - Matthew 21:22

Father,
I am thankful that You invite Your children to have open commuication with You. Consistent dialogue with You is so vital to the development and maintenance of our relationship with You. Today, I ask that You instruct me in leading our child on a path of consistent prayer. Help me model this relationship and be a part of opening that line of communication. Let this child's prayer life begin at an early age and continue throughout his/her life. Let him/her come to You at all times about all things - in times of need and in times of joy. Give him/her eyes to see Your work in response to our prayers, and let those experiences help him/her build faith and trust in You. Work through this child as a prayer warrior. Help him/her come to the knowledge of what praying for others truly means and how it benefis the Body of Christ. Amen.

Reading God's Word

"I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You." - Psalm 191:11

Lord,
Thank You for providing us with a blueprint to live by. I ask that You plant in me the desire to read to my child from Your Word on a regular basis. I want him/her to know who You are, what You've done, what You will do, and how to have a personal relationship with You. As we read the Scriptures together, let Your Word come alive to us. Speak to us through it, and let it become a vital part of our walk with You. Amen.

Uses in Youth

"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years." - 2 Kings 22:1

Father,
Thank You for watching over my little one as he/she grows and develops in my womb. Only You know what he/she will be called to do in life. Today, I ask that You help me in teaching him/her in Your Word and Your ways, so that he/she will be prepared to do the work You have called him/her to do. Help me encourage him/her in his/her areas of strength, and to support his/her boldness to do Your will. Let this child be a light to those around him/her. Even at an early age, use him/her to witness to family and friends. Again, Thank You for the calling You have already put on his/her life and for the skills that You are already weaving together for him/her to be able to pursue the tasks ahead of him/her. Amen.

Taking Root

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." - Psalm 1:3

Dear God,
Thank You for the living water You provide. You are my life source. Help me remember this, especially during the dry spells of life. During those times, allow my already-formed roots to grow even deeper to receive the life-giving water that only You can give. I also ask that You give Adam and I direction in the cultivation of our child. Let us purposefully plant him/her in Your soil, close to the waters You provide. Holy Spirit, help us to educate our child in a godly fashion, so that he/she may yield fruit in season and not wither. Let our child's profession of faith be strong and consistent. Let his/her roots allow him/her to see the work that God has given him/her to do, the power he/she has been given to perform it, and the places and opportunities that have been provided for doing those things. Lastly, God, I ask that our child's roots continue to grow deeper and deeper throughout his/her life. May he/she (with the help of the Holy Spirit) grow stronger in the grace that he/she has already recieved, increase in heavenly desires, and produce much fruit that glorifies You. In Your name, amen!

Wisdom for Building

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." - Proverbs 14:1

Lord,
I know that it takes years of intentional, Christ-centered devotion to build a home. On the other hand, I know that a home can be destroyed by the enemy in a matter of minutes. I ask that You give me the strength and wisdom needed to build a house full of trust, faithfulness, security, self-esteem, and loyalty. I pray against idleness, laziness, pridefulness, covetousness, anger, lack of self-control, doubt, and bitterness. Help me to nuture and protect my family from these things so that they have a place to seek shelter when the storms of life come. I praise You today for being the Master Builder. You craft us so articulately with such skill. Guide me as I try to do the same. Help me to build up, not tear down. In Your name, amen!

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.

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.

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.