Vindication Adoration

Ps. 57:2 (TNIV), "I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me." 

Oh, how often I argue, defend, and protect myself - and all without necessity! You are the Most High God! All others are mere gods - idols that can neither see, hear, nor speak. But You, God over all, have taken notice of me. And even more than that, You are the One who fights for me! You plead my case. You are incessantly interceding to Your Father on my behalf! Surely Your prayers will be answered! Though there be a delay, You will have Your way! Your way, Your will, and Your love will prevail.
O my soul, bless the Lord!
Insults, blasphemies, and accusations were hurled directly at You, and yet You were led like a lamb to the slaughter - totally silent. You did not use Your limitless power to defend Yourself. Even now - moment after moment - mankind that You created accuses and blasphemes You and Your good name. And they think, as only fools do, that there is no God only because Your justice comes forth in the time of Your choosing.
Nonetheless, You will come. You will vindicate. You will vindicate Yourself and every righteous one who loves and calls upon Your name.
I praise You, Lord, for Your ways because it is in the waiting - in the embracing the "sting" within by not speaking and standing up for myself - that our relationship is deepened. Intimacy is costly, but oh, so worth it! You remember those swallowed moments of pride, and when You come, You'll bring Your reward with You - even for moments as those. You not only remember, though, You are there in those moments, and if I choose to remain silent as You did, walk in the path that You laid, I am with You where You are.
You are the One to whom I cry out - You and no other. You showed me the way. Thank You for Your ways!

Meditation: The Way Forward

I have been thinking much lately about the will. I feel like Paul, saying, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15 TNIV). I see this stubbornness so clearly in my children when they have to have their way, but I honestly see this same ugliness so often in my own heart, words, and actions! O God, deliver me from myself!
But I see I have heard the vision of the life that I want to live, and yet I do not make the necessary changes to align myself. In the frustration of being off the mark - again - I get down on myself, become frustrated with God and His seemingly unattainable vision, and begin to think the whole thing is out of reach and impossible, especially for one who doesn't hold the mysterious and vital key.
Then I read Jeremiah 6:16, which proclaims, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls..." In talking with a friend of mine about this verse, she so wisely responded, "It's not like the Lord hasn't given us what we need. We just have to walk in it." Oh yeah! He has already given me all things that pertain to life - that abundant, overflowing, satisfying, soul-quenching water of life kind of life and how to walk it out (2 Peter 1:3). I have the power of God Himself living on the inside of me. I have all that I need to do this thing! I just have to walk in it!
My primary prayer has been, "O God, align my will with Yours, and lead me by desire!" I want more than just a life of godliness. I want to daily experience full life! I want more than the pulling-up-the-bootstraps-and-do-it-because-it's-right kind of existence!
But I cannot carve this path out myself; there is a prescribed way forward that I cannot get around just because I don't like the sound of it. And the way forward sounds like this, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23 NKJV).
O God, I submit my will to You today. Today, God, help me to deny myself, pick up my cross, and follow You in Your way! But, Lord, that sounds like just a bunch of bootstraps to me! Surely there must be another way! I know that this is the way of the Kingdom - not going my own way - but it is not all sweat and blood. What about the sweetness?
Enter Matthew 11. It's a beloved passage that we all know so well, but having the backdrop of Jeremiah 10 in mind, I recently saw it differently. Jesus pleads with the sincere weary ones who have lived lives of pulling up bootstraps, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28–29 TNIV). Whoa there partner! Wait a minute! Jesus knew the Scriptures (that seems comical to even say!); He knew what passage He was referring to, connecting Himself to. In essence, He was saying, "Hey y'all! I know your hearts. You are so sincere. You are doing what I prescribed in the Law, trying to follow it down to the last jot and tiddle, but yet instead of finding life there, finding Me there, all you found was burdened life that you can't carry, at least for much longer without breaking. So just drop that heavy load and come to Me. I am the One every law was pointing to, but I never meant for you to do the law on your own. Sinai was not about bootstraps but marriage - covenant. This life is not about doing it all right but doing it with Me, the One you are in covenant with."
Wow! That's good news! He wasn't just saying what is so prevalently inserted into this text, "Come to Me and I will take all of your difficulties. I will be your spiritual Santa Claus and give you everything you have ever wanted. Life as a Christian will spiritually be like the marital bliss of the honeymoon - all sweetness, no bitterness!" No, Jesus is still the One who said, "If you desire to go after Me, you have to do it My way, the Kingdom way - daily - and I am on My way to the Cross. Remember My words in Gethsemane? The way forward is through denial of fleshly desires and the bending of the will to that which alone is life. Life comes after death, but it's real, authentic, Resurrection life! If you want to taste of that kind of life, then there is a narrow gate and a difficult way ahead."
So after all of that, what is the way forward? I want to enter into true life, I have a vision for something greater than the Christian life I have lived thus far. I hear stories of saints of old - like Paul and John and then those early church fathers and the mystics. They lived in and lived out something that I've yet to experience - peace that transcends my circumstances, unspeakable joy even in the midst of difficulty and pain, experience of the depths of God's love of the likes I have never known, but I know that blood, sweat, and tears were not their only way. They did not merely discipline themselves into a full life. If that would have been the case, the Pharisees would have been praised by God, not rebuked.
I want the sweetness of communion, but yet through Scripture I see so much of it saying the same thing (deny self, take up cross, etc.). Am I reading my Bible wrong? Are these two at odds - sweetness and sacrifice?
I am beginning to find the answer in Jesus' words,"Come to Me. Yes, deny yourself as I did. Your way is wearying you anyway. Even though the road ahead is difficult, we can do this together! Abiding in Me, you can find sweetness in the sacrifice, in the disciplined life." 
So I realize that it the answer is not so mysterious. The key is that God is not far away watching from a distance ever holding out the measuring rod. He came near. He dwelt among us, but through His death (denial of self, conquering of sin, doing what I can't do on my own), Resurrection, Ascension, and subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit, I can now have everything that I need for abundant life and godliness! He loved me first. He called my name. He chose me. He appointed me to bear much fruit. He has given me the prescription, and it is this: "Come to Me; seek My face!" He has shown me the way forward. He said, "Deny yourself and follow Me! Do it with Me!" He is ahead of me, and His name is Desire (Haggai 2:7). Truly Desire will lead me on, and I will know sweetness even amidst difficulty. No more pulling up bootstraps in an I'm-supposed-to-just-do-this way. Now it's just a looking in gazing on holy fire, my Helper, and a deeper leaning on the One who has already overcome, the One in whom is life, the One who is Life and who resides inside of me.
I love what Mike Bickle says about this subject. He says, "You will not walk in the Spirit more than you talk to the Spirit [who lives inside you]." So practical. So doable. I'm signing up again for the conversation. This is the way I walk on that ancient path that leads to the quiet rest my soul yearns for.

Adoring the God of Creation

Jeremiah 16:6, 13 (tNIV), "No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not fear you, King of the nations? This is your due. But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he made the clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses."

I praise You, God of heaven and earth! You alone are the Creator. You alone are God. All others who are exalted in our hearts and minds - those other than You that we put our hope and trust in - are mere idols. They are scarecrows in the garden of our hearts - elevated but unable to see, hear, speak, or do any good (Jer. 10:3-4). You alone have power over the heavens, the earth, and my circumstances.
All You do is wise. Your leadership is perfect. Help me to look up today, see the sky, and consider You as its Creator. If You are the God who did Genesis 1, who should not fear You and glorify Your name? Truly no can boast the same.
You are worthy of praise today, God, from my heart overflowing through my lips as well as through every created thing. When the strong winter winds strike and bite my face, remind me where they originated - Your storehouses! I praise You God of the wind. I praise You God of the rain, thunder, lightning, and clouds that cover the earth.
Your glory is revealed by all of creation. I take time to see it and hear its song of praise. Both day and night speak of You and display Your unparalleled knowledge. Who is like You? Surely there is no one! I praise You for placing reminders of Your burning heart all around me - calling out to me, saying, "Worship God! He desires you and is after your heart! Just look around! He did all of this to capture your attention, to get you to look up, to remember that there is One greater than you in the midst of your circumstances. Is the God who made all beauty blind to the intimate details of your life? Is the God who made all creation's sounds deaf to your faintest cries? Is the God who formed Everest, the ocean's deep, and the universe impotent, lacking when it comes to your needs? Worship God! He is an all-consuming fire! This is His due."
So I choose to look up, to look to You today, God of the heavens, Creator of everything that is. I lack;  You are full. I am weak; You have all power. I have limitations; You know none but the ones with which You limit Yourself - man's free will. My vision is myopic; Yours is telescopic seeing the end from the beginning, behind the closed curtain of the horizon. My perspective is narrow; Yours is panoramic.
In this praise I get caught up in the bigness of You. May my feet never touch the ground again!

Monday's "adoration" linkup here:

Abounding Love

Another (almost Monday) word of adoration...

Psalm 86:15, "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
Song of Songs 2:8, "Listen! My Beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills."

My cup is empty, Lord, but I come to You whose cup never runs dry. You are the God of miracles, rich supply, and abundance. At the Cana wedding, you turned what would have been an embarrassing lack into extravagant provision. You delight in Your abundance. You're never the God who has just enough. With You there is always more. I praise You for the more.
Twice You multiplied food, and when the miracles were all said and done, the people had eaten just scraps or a small portion, but they were filled full - with plenty of leftovers remaining!
Who are You that Your love is so immense? My love is so small. My heart is not so slow to anger. My compassion wanes when my comforts are thwarted or when time progresses beyond my expectations.
O God of abounding love, come and fill me up! It's Your abundance that this heart, this family, this overly indulgent and materialistic nation need! I praise You for Your never-running-dry love, Your coming-after-me love, Your good-til-the-last-drop-and-there's-never-a-last-drop love! I am so grateful for Your "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always, and forever love" (a refrain from the Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name)!
While my thoughts are small, Yours are big; while my fears paralyze, Your love abounds and pursues and persists to bound over every obstacle, every fear. I see walls; You leap over them. I see holes; You  fill them.
So abound today, God! Show Yourself again and give me eyes to see abundance that surrounds me. Pour out love. Fill that I might return it again. I praise You now and will eternally give thanks for Your richness and generous plenty.

Grateful to link up here on Mondays with other like-hearted ones:

31 Days of Prayer for Our Sons

Meet my Boys...

Firstborn - Cohen (aka "Whirlwind")

Second born - Stephen (aka "Sweet Cheeks")

31 Days of Prayer for Our Sons

A friend of mine recently posted prayers that she wrote for a sequence that modsquadblog.com was doing for the month of October. In case you don't know, MOD is short for "Mothers of Daughters". They called it “31 Days of Prayer for Our Daughters”. What a wonderful idea! Well, I do not knowingly have any daughters (I'll know for sure around Christmas!), but I do have boys. So I decided to copy their prayers, edit the pronouns to reflect sons instead, and add some of my own prayers as well on some days.

I have decided to print these prayers out and add them to my daily Proverb reading (31 Proverbs + 31 days of the month = easy-to-remember-Bible-reading plan). I pray for my sons already, but I decided to spice it up a bit by increasing my language in prayer to include the burdens of other mothers as well.
Feel free to copy these edited prayers, or refer to the MOD squad site for the original daughter version! He will do more because we asked - I truly believe.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 1} :: An Invitation
Father, would you…

• stir our hearts
• give us your words
• show us how to be relentless in asking for Your wisdom, blessing, and direction for our sons.

May we be persistent like Sarah and Hannah.

May we be ready to lay down our very lives like Ruth.

May we serve our sons like Martha, but have tender hearts like Mary.

Above all, Lord, teach us to pray.  Thank you that we have the assurance that you always live to make intercession on our behalf and on behalf of our sons.

Lead us on Lord Jesus.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 2} :: His Mind

1 Peter 1:13 (NIV), “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self‑controlled;

set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Lord, You have my son on a journey – and he needs his mind to be ready for the challenges and the adventures that are ahead.  The world will offer many distractions and the enemy will try to make him stray from the path You have carved out for him. I thank you that You go ahead of him to light the way,  You are with him always to keep him steady, and You even follow after him to comfort him when he missteps. Father, I ask that you give him a mind that is calm and full of hope. I pray that Your grace will turn his thoughts toward You and strengthen his walk of faith. May he be a boy who is marked by self control and confidence in Her faithful God. I pray this in Your name that never changes.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 3} :: His Eyes

Hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith….”

Lord, the walk of faith is about seeing You clearly. I pray that you would give my son spiritual eyes to see You.  Turn his eyes away from the things of this world or even things inside of her that he doesn’t like.  Let his eyes be continually fixed on You and You alone. And as he sets the gaze of his soul upon You, may he see the beautiful story You are writing just for him.  Father, unfold before him the very person You want him to be.  I ask You humbly, Lord, to show him that he is more than meets the eye. He is a unique creation and bears your image. Let his precious eyes see, really see You.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 4} :: His Ears

Isaiah 30:21, “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ 

whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”

Lord, I pray that my son would develop ears that listen to Your voice. Thank You that You give Your Word to us so that we may truly hear You.  May he be continually hiding it in his heart so that he will be able to follow Your perfect will for his life. The world is a noisy place. You see the next step. May he lean in close when that Word is only a whisper. I pray it would be Your speaking voice in his hears ringing loudly and clearly in his precious ears each and every day. Thank you Lord, that it is You are always speaking. Give him ears to hear You.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 5} :: His Mouth

Psalm 19:14 (NLT), “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you,

O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”

O LORD, I pray right now that my son would understand all of who You are. You are his rock whom he can stand upon no matter what. You are his redeemer who has rescued him from destruction. You are able to do more than he can ask for or imagine.  Apart from You, he can do nothing. I ask, first and foremost, that every thought in his head and each word he speaks would be pleasing in Your sight.  May our boys speak life.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 6} :: His Heart

Deuteronomy 6:5, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart,

 all your soul, and all your strength.”

Sweet Jesus, would you show my son who You are as:

• The self-existent One
• The all-sufficient One
• The infinitely and eternally perfect One
• The one and only true and living God

            And in doing so, draw out in him:

• A sincere love – more than just words
• A strong love – exceedingly
• A knowing love – You as his closest friend

Lord, is there anything in his life that his affections run towards more passionately than You, Lord? Chase after Him with Your goodness and mercy. Win his heart with the power of Your joyful and exhaustive love. Show him Your great worth so that he would invite You to have preeminence within him. May You be the only One who captures his heart’s full affections.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 7} :: His Hands

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT), “This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life,

minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before.”

Lord Jesus, my son’s hands are precious to me.  I’ve held them and wiped them clean countless times. These sweet hands have made precious creations that I can’t throw away. Lord, would you show his hands the work You created them to do? Help him to see the gifts and skills he has, and give me the words to call out that giftedness as well.

Giver him (from Proverbs 31):

• Hands that work willingly (vs. 13)
• Hands that work purposefully (vs. 16)
• Hands that work diligently (vs. 19)
• Hands that touch others with compassion (vs. 20)

Thank you Father that you hold him in your capable hands all the days of his life.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 8} :: His Feet

Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”

Lord, give my sweet son beautiful feet. May they:

• Walk at a steady pace – keeping in step with You, Jesus
• Be protected from temptations of the enemy
• Take the good news of Christ wherever he goes
• Stand strong and be fully prepared for trials

I pray with all my heart that he will stay on the path of righteousness. May he run only to You in times of trouble. These feet, these beautiful feet, Lord belong to you. May you take him on the adventure of her life. And thank You for the honor to wash his feet in prayer today.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 9} :: Firmly Planted

Psalm 1:1-4, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”

Father, may this be true of my sons. I pray that they would find believing friends to encourage them to pursue godliness. I pray that they would have a true desire to study and know Your Word. I pray that in Your law they would delight as the law leads them straight to You. I pray that they would have their roots firmly planted and that in knowing Your Word they would be sustained by the living water found in You. I pray that they would bear fruit, the fruit of righteousness, in all of the seasons of their life. I pray that they would continually desire more of You and that they would not grow dry in their love for You. I pray that they would prosper as they obey You and the plans that You have for them. I realize that “prosper” in my eyes may be different than “prosper” in Your eyes, but Lord, I know that You are good, so have Your way. Let Your will be done. Let their spiritual lives grow and be prosperous. I pray that they would be firmly grounded and they would delight in Your Word and all that You are!

31 Days of Prayer {Day 10} :: Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-14, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless,

how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything,

except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world.

 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket,

but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Lord, I pray that my sons would be holy flavor to a world doused with the spice of unrighteousness. I pray that they would preserve what is righteous and season the culture around them with the flavor of You.  I pray that they would remain potent with the truth of the whole gospel. Lord, may the gospel that will transform them be something that they gladly share. Help them to be bold in both word and deed speaking truth and living out its implications. I pray that they would be radiant with Your light and that they would give off a glow that attracts those to You as Savior, Father, Bridegroom, and Holy King. I pray that wherever You lead them that they would be salt and light to a bland, decaying, dark world.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 11} :: Teach Him Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am,

to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Father, I trust You with my precious son. I pray that he would learn to be content. I pray that he would have Your vision for worldly things and understanding from a young age that created things can never truly satisfy. Open his eyes and teach him that You are indeed sufficient. And help me as his mom reflect a contented heart regardless of what this day may hold so that he may learn from my example. I can do all things — all difficult seasons and all trying stages — through my Lord Jesus Christ who gives me matchless strength. I praise You!

31 Days of Prayer {Day 12} :: Loving His Enemies

Matthew 6:44-45a, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you,

do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Father, hurting those who hurt us is the easy thing to do. It comes naturally to our fleshly souls. I pray that my son would reflect You. I pray that he would love his enemies and do good to those who hate him that he may reflect You. I ask that You would teach him to pray that he would intercede on behalf of those who persecute her. Empower me to live in this way so that he might see that response exemplified in my own life. By Your great grace, O Lord, may we truly be Your sons and daughters on this earth.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 13} :: Never Forgotten

Isaiah 49:14-16, “But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me.’

‘Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.’”

Lord, I know that I am not a perfect mother and that at times I have and will continue to fail my sons.  Lord, I know that they will feel forgotten by those who love them and by those who don’t. Father, I pray that You would remind them of Your great love for them. Remind them of Your constant remembrance of them and how they are ever before You as Your beloved children! Father, help them to see the depth of Your love in that You have inscribed them on Your hands and that you will never forget them. You are their only perfect Father. Lord, I pray that when the world tells them how unimportant they are that You would gently remind them of how very important they are to You because You love them with the same love with which You love Your Son.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 14} :: Choosing Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today,

that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life,

that you and your offspring may live,

loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him,

for He is your life and the length of days,

that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers,

to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Father, how I pray that my life will be a reflection of choosing life, choosing blessing and that as I live in that choice, my son will also learn to trust You, to walk with You, and to rest in You. How I pray he will love Your presence and obey Your voice. I long for him to draw close to You, Abba, and lean into You when the winds of life seem overwhelming and the shadows of darkness feel overpowering. Grant to him the peace of dwelling in You. And, O Father, grant those same graces to my often-weary momma’s heart!

31 Days of Prayer {Day 15} :: His Hope

Lamentations 3:22-24, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

‘The Lord is  my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’”

Faithful God, El Roi, the God Who sees us, will You invade my son with hope—the confident assurance and expectation that You are enough in all things and in all ways? When the days are long and the nights are restless, grant him eyes to see the fresh mercies of the morning. Your steadfastness is unending, Your love unfathomable, Your mercies unbelievable. I know there will be times of sorrow and suffering in his life that cannot be avoided, but You, You are the Mighty God, the Strong Tower, the Comforter, the Shelter, and I pray that he would live in that truth, hope, and blessing.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 16}: His Protection

Psalm 97:10, “Let those who love the LORD hate evil,

 for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”

Father God, as my son grows into a man, I pray that he will learn to love You with all of his heart and see the evil that wants to come into his life. I pray that he will recognize evil and flee from it. Lord, I know that You are guarding his life, and I pray that he will remain faithful to You. Please Lord, deliver him from the hand of the wicked. Keep him safe in this world as he lives to serve You.

31 Days of Prayer Day {17}: Living for You

John 17:15, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you
 protect them from the evil one.”

Father God, I pray today that my son can live life to the fullest in this world but not become a part of this world. I pray that he can be bold in his faith no matter how difficult it may be. I pray that You will protect him, Lord, from the evil one in every area of his life. Let him become stronger spiritually, emotionally, and physically looking to You for guidance. Help me as his mom encourage him to use his gifts to glorify You.

31 Days Of Prayer {Day 18} :: Seeking God First

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Father, I pray that our sons would not try to vainly pursue earthly desires. I pray their hearts will be set on the things above. I know You will not withhold any good thing from them as long as they walk in Your will, so let our sons seek Your will and walk in Your ways so that Your blessings will overtake them.

31 Days Of Prayer {Day 19} :: His Plans

Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Father, thank You for loving us so much that you not only created our sons, but You have plans for them as well! As they grow and look to find their way in this life, let them remember that You have plans already laid out for them. Let them realize that no plans they dream up could be as good, fulfilling, and world-changing as Yours. Fulfill their desire for greatness in You. Give them a higher vision. Let them fix their eyes on things above, things yet to come, eternal life, and help them live for another age that will not pass away. This current life is but a moment, a vapor in the wind passing away. Help them lean into You and Your ways that they may walk in Your paths and plans knowing this is the only way for true and lasting impact.

31 Days Of Prayer {Day 20} :: Serving The Lord

Joshua 24:15 (NCV), “But if you don’t want to serve the Lord,
you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…
As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Father God, I pray for the tenacity needed to teach my sons to serve You always, fully, thankfully, and graciously. Many idols will come and go in many different forms. Father, help me to instill in him the discernment he will need to stay focused on You. I pray, Lord God, that he would seek You in all he does.  I pray he would be bold in his faith, unwavering, and steadfast. Lord God, I pray that he would grow in his relationship with You everyday so that generations from now, our family will continue to sow and reap in the blessings of serving the Lord Most High.

31 Days Of Prayer {Day 21} :: Being an Example

1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT), “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

Father God, let my sons be bold in who they are in You. Do not let them be ashamed or hide their faith. I pray their little light would shine strong in their young lives. Father, let them be an example to their generation. I pray they would have the courage to stand when others fall. I pray they would seek the values and morals instilled in Your Word. Lord, I pray that they would live for You and love You. Help them keep their faith in You and remain pure as Your Word exhorts. Let them glorify You in all they do for all the days of their lives.

 
31 Days of Prayer {Day 22} :: A Spirit of Courage

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT), “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful gift of Your Spirit that allows us to be courageous and stand up for righteousness. In the face of fears, may our sons know the Spirit inside them is characterized by inner strength and boldness that only come from You. Lord, whether in school or in the neighborhood, may our sons openly declare by the choices they make that they are Your child, Your masterpiece. Remind them, Lord, not to fear the things of this world but to put their hope and trust in You. Fill them with courage to obey, even when others around them do not. Fill them with courage to stand up for You, even when they stand alone. Fill them with courage to stand firm in their convictions, even when they are tempted to follow the ways of the world. And Lord, when they fall short or make mistakes, may they have the courage to get back up again, knowing You will never leave nor forsake them and You love them even in their weakness. Give them the heart of David to run to You and not from You when they mess us. Let them see and know and experience Your merciful love that always beckons them closer—no matter what. This is a courage that the world knows not of. Put it in them. In the name of Jesus, may You be glorified.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 23} :: Staying Alert

1 Peter 5:8-9a (NLT), “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith…”

Heavenly Father, as much as I wish my sons did not have to engage in any battles, I know they will. Your Word tells us there is an enemy that seeks to devour and destroy their tender hearts. Father, may our sons stand firm and stand strong. Protect them against their adversary—the one who seeks to devour. Show them that You alone are their Protector, Shield, and Rock. Lord God, may our sons find victory over their adversaries. Teach them to be watchful and know what is from You and what is from the world. Father, You have declared that our weapon against any evil is your Word. May they engage in the battle with the sword of the spirit and in prayer. Teach them to know your Word and have intimate fellowship with You. May I be found faithful to teach my sons the truths of your Scripture. I trust You to be my Rock when they are in spiritual trials, Lord. Guide me with Your wisdom to encourage them to resist temptations and to flee from the schemes of Satan, whose goal is to steer them away from You. I have faith, Father, that You will keep them because of Your great love and that You will use every trial for Your perfect purpose.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 24} :: Be His Vision

Psalm 5:3, “My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

God, give him eyes that look up. Give him a heart, expectant. No matter what trouble befalls him in life, give him a vision for drinking daily of Your beauty. I pray that You would give him eyes, both for You and for others, which scrutinize—those that search out beauty from any and every rubbish heap. Ordain his eyes for You, Jesus. Let a heart, supple for adoration and a life of praise, rise up out of these eye-gates.

Sanctify his mornings, Lord. Teach him young the glory of a new day ordained by You. Train his eyes now  to see You—day after day after day.
By Sara Hagerty at

 
31 Days of Prayer {Day 25} :: Knowing Love

Ephesians 3:16-19, “…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
 to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 

 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 

 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Lord, let them know You. Father, You are love and they cannot truly know You without coming face to face with Your love. Awaken their small-but-growing hearts to know a love unparalleled. I pray they would have everyday brushes with Your love—so high, deep, wide, and long. Today, Lord, move their hearts to know love more than they did yesterday. While their bodies and minds develop, grow their inner man in strength. Let these everyday, seemingly-small encounters with You increase their capacity. Grow their insides to hold all of You which is possible to be poured out—here on this earth. Make their lives deep-well dwelling places for Your outpouring.

By Sara Hagerty at

31 Days of Prayer {Day 26} – Be His Satisfaction

John 6:68, “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.’”

O Father, it hardly seems possible, but very soon our sons will grow up and head out into the world, and as they do, it is my deepest prayer that they would find their greatest satisfaction in You alone. As they begin to look around at what the world has to offer, I pray that they would fall into Your arms, Jesus, as Peter did, realizing that their true fulfillment can only be found in You. Please make our sons steadfast in their faith, true to their calling, and joyful on their way.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 27} – Walking in Truth

3 John 4, “I have no great joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Thank you, Father, for the privilege of raising these sons, and thank you for the joy that they have brought to our lives. I pray that as they grow and begin to make decisions for themselves, that they would seek Your truth in all things. Please help our sons to know that truth can be found and that truth is found in You alone.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 28} – Counting Loss

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Philippians 3:7-8

O God, will You so invade my son’s heart and mind and life that he will count the things of this world as loss compared to knowing You? Will You cause his longings to be for those things that bring You glory, for those things that are eternal? My desperate desire is that he put aside the fading promises of temporary pleasure and passion for the glory of an eternal purpose.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 29} :: The Key to His Life (Pt. 1)

Deuteronomy 30:20 (NLT), “You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Father, thank You that we can know without a doubt how to live a life that is pleasing to You. I pray for my sons to make the choice to love You. May they decide in the soon-coming days to love You first and forever. May their love for You stir their heart to obey Your Word. May they live a life of love and obedience and stand firmly committed to You. This truly is the key to their lives—love, obedience, and commitment. Write these words upon their lives so that others may clearly see that they belongs to You. In Your Name which is Love, Amen.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 30} :: The Key to His Life (Pt. 2)

Deuteronomy 30:20 (NLT), “You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Lord, I praise You because when You give us an instruction, You also give us a promise. I pray that my boys will wrap this promise around their hearts as their great reward while they love, obey, and stand firmly committed to You. I pray Your faithfulness to my sons will be a living testimony to the great God they serve whole heartedly. May their lives be long. May they be fruitful. May they rest in Your faithfulness all the days of their sweet, sweet lives, in Your name which is Faithful, Amen.

31 Days of Prayer {Day 30} :: Gratitude

Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Loving Father, I come today to rejoice and thank You for all You have done over the past 30 days in this place of prayer. I may never know this side of eternity the full effect of these prayers, but I am humbled that You let me join You in the work You are now doing, and I believe You will do more because I asked.    Thank You for calling me to prayer. Thank You for my boys whom I have the honor of praying over. Thank You for making me a mom. Continue to draw my heart to prayer for these precious ones. Now all glory to be to You who re able, through Your mighty power at work within me, to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. Glory to You in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).