For Our Kids We Pray… Hump Day Prayer 9.14.11

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Father on this day we pray for our children.

For those of us who are parents of newborns we are awed and overwhelmed by our children and the almost minute by minute tasks of care.

Grant us the mental and emotional strength and patience we need to care for these precious new lives.

 

For those of us who are parents of pre-schoolers, “O Lord help!  we half  cry and half laugh on a daily, if not minute, basis

Grant us the deep inner patience with our emerging child who is beginning to think for herself and do it himself

Help us to start empowering them in appropriate ways to become the responsible adults they will one day become.

 

For those of us who are parents of elementary kids whether for the first year of kindergarten or the final year of life in 5th or 6th grade

Grant us the wisdom to help them learn the art of time management and the value of commitment as they navigate ever increasing options

 

For those of us who are parents of middle schoolers who are starting to navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood

Grant us the ability to love and listen well to them as they navigate success and failure in relationships, on the athletic field,  and in the classroom

Help us to see them as we truly need to see them as they are starting to think differently, even irreverently, about who they are

 

And for those of us who are parents of high schoolers who are often buried under homework, part-time work, sports, band, dance, choir… <sigh>

Grant us the peace to let go, as we need to, of the old way of parenting and embrace the new way of parenting as we move from parent to partner in so many ways.

 

Then Lord, for those of us who are parents of college students who often look now in the rear view mirror of life and remember small hands and feet that brought us joy and now look in the rear view mirror of the mini van as we drive them to college for their first year or their last year, and see young men and women who bring us a mix of pleasure and in some cases, a “hallelujah! the house is ours again! ” we ask, as we do at all stages of our parenting life, for their safety and protection. Grant us wisdom to know when to help and when to be asked for help.

 

Father, this has really been a prayer for us, the parents, as much as it has been for our kids. Help us this day good and gracious Father to parent well and in Your strength because we need it this day and everyday. 

We are grateful and we are thankful.

 

Amen

 

Hump Day Prayer for First Year School Parents

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Father, today in my community as well others and in the weeks to come in other communities, parents will be dropping off their child for their first day of school. I ask that you be with them as well as the children.

Grant peace in all their hearts.

Help the teachers to have wisdom and patience as they work with the children to make this vital transition.

Be with the parents as they let go and leave with a mixture of joy and sadness that a chapter in life and parenting has come to an end and a new one has started.

I am grateful for your grace and help as I remember that day now 10 years distant for the first time. Bless my boys this day and help them to honor You in all they say, do, and think.

Amen

Hump Day Prayer for June 8, 2011

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Good morning Father

IT.IS.HOT!

We pray for those who are trying to find shelter from the heat or need to find shelter from it.

Be with those who work with the homeless and the elderly, give them patience, wisdom, and strength to help those they serve be safe.

Give alertness to the Postal Carriers and delivery drivers as they run their routes in this heat that they will notice someone who needs help and be able to get it to them.

Father, many this morning are finding heat not just in the out of doors but inside the home, the office, the church, the school, the neighborhood, and themselves.

There are both hot and cold wars going on in relationships in these places and it is getting hotter and hotter.

For those considering divorce, grant in Your wisdom and mercy that you will help both parties to do what is right and necessary. Bring healing and hope where possible. For the children, young and old, in these situations, be with them and help them to know that You love for them and help find love and support from good people and even their wounded and grieving parents.

For those who are in the heat of a workplace situation that is challenging their work ethic and values we ask that you help them to be focused on what is right and just and provide for them support and if necessary, a new job.

For those in the heat of parenting and children with special needs we ask that you provide them with the strength they need and also persons of support to help them carry the load.

O God who walked along in the heat of the desert for 40 days, walk with us during this heat wave and may we be ministered to by Your Holy Spirit.

Amen and Amen

A Mother’s Day Prayer

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Father,

I thank you first of all for my mother whose simple faith and love of books has become an integral part of my life. I ask that, in the season of life she is in, you will remind her that You are the same God that she believed in and trusted so many, years ago and affirm her faith and trust in You.

For my wife, I give You thanks as well. She is a hard worker and goes much farther than I do as a wife, mom, educational aide, and pastor’s wife. Strengthen and affirm her and Father, help me do a better job of supporting her in my daily tasks, in speaking well of her, and listening well to her.

For my mother-in-law and sister-in-law I also give you thanks. I value their work and relationship of nearly 30 years. Bless them Lord this special day and everyday.

For mothers who are expecting, help them during this wonderful time. And, no matter circumstances of their pregnancy, I ask that you would strengthen them and sustain them and their unborn child.

For mothers who are grieving the death of a child, no matter how young or old they are, be with them as we grieve with them.

For mothers who are in situations in which the evil and ugly head of domestic violence has reared itself, help them find a safe place for them and their children.

For mothers who are incarcerated, Lord God, care for them and love them as only You can and I pray that what communication and connection can and is able to happen would happen for their benefit as well as the benefit of their families.

For mothers, and fathers, who are going through the adoption process, give them Your peace and aid and help them as they go through it. We pray that You will help them have wisdom and discernment as they do so and help them to accept whatever the outcome might be as it comes to important points.

Finally Father I pray that you will be with those women who are unable to have children or are trying to. God be their source of hope and strength and put good and helpful people in their path as they go through this process. For those who are dealing with the finality of infertility, God love them and encourage them and be with them.

Amen

A Monday prayer for my kids

Father,

I thank you for my kids who reminded me that my life, as much as I sometimes want it to be, is not my own. May they walk the path of life You have for them and help me to guide them in the way that You want them to go.

Amen