A prayer for my children as they go into school today

A prayer for my children as they go into school today

 

"Father I thank You for my children, You have heaped me with bounty and I praise You for entrusting me with them. For the ones who have already started. The ones who start today and the one who will start next week.  They are fearfully and wonderfully made. You chose them for me and I thank You for the gift they are to me. Please bless them and ask that You fill each of them with “Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, having virtue,
or anything praiseworthy, let them think on these things.”

I pray Lord that my children speak life, love and your glory into all situations, you have given us instruction how we are to speak, and the power of the tongue to do damage, but also to bring healing. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21).
I pray godly teachers, custodians, principals and administrators are placed in their lives. Ones of integrity. Ones who will be uplifting, understanding and compassionate. I pray my children will offer these traits to others as well.

"As I pray of my daughters, Lord, I ask for purity in their lives and that of their friends. I ask for protection over their innocence and purity; protect them from others and wrong choices, call them to a higher standard. I ask for wisdom and discernment in teaching and preparing them for a life of purity and modesty. I also ask that you grant her friends parents wisdom as they raise a girls of integrity."

Lord, as I pray for my sons against pornography and lust and its evil effects on his life both as a child and as an adult. Give me wisdom in teaching him to respect girls and women. Put a calling of purity upon their lives that they will never use, abuse, or take advantage of girls or women. I ask for wisdom and discernment in teaching and preparing them for a life of purity." Lord, help me in a way only you can.

I ask for you to protect them and their walk with you. That you grace them with courage and boldness. As, the bow their heads and hearts when praying a blessing at breakfast and lunch. That you protect them as they strive to be a witness for you. Because, I know they may be the only Jesus they encounter.

I ask Father that you would fill my sons and daughters lives with good relationships, first with you Lord. Help them to seek after Godly things. I ask for your blessing on my relationship with them, help me to express to them and for them to feel unconditional love; may they rise up and call me blessed, as a glory to you. I ask for good friends for them; that they may feel accepted and influenced by good kids. Keep her path straight. I ask your blessing on their lives by causing Godly people to positively influence their lives at the crossroads they will face. Go before them and prepare the way."

Above all, I pray that my kids will develop strong relationships with the Lord. I also pray for healthy relationships with their siblings, with friends, and with their teachers and myself as their mother. The world is a dangerous place in many ways. I pray for physical, spiritual and emotional protection and healing for each child. Lord, please protect them from what satan means for harm, and please let them see, your glory.

Thank you for you multitude of blessings in my life. I pray these things in you precious name. AMEN

Confessions of an imperfect parent

 

 

Before I start I want you to know. I am not nor have I ever been or claimed to be a perfect parent. I am only an imperfect parent who makes daily parenting mistakes. Being prayerfully led in the spirit by a perfect God. I know from experience we feel bad, judged or mean for defriending and or blocking someone including family and friends. Yes, I understand some people don’t. However, for the ones of us who do, with good reason we feel bad. I’ve had to do this. No only on my Facebook or other social media sites, but on my children’s as well. Does this make me a bad parent, a bad Christian or ungodly saint? Some would say yes. After searching my own heart and seeking the heart of God, I’ve come to the conclusion ASOUTLEY NOT!! I am none of these things. Protecting your mental and emotional health as a Christian is of the upmost importance. Your heart is the central nervous system for emotions of the body (yes, I know this is not scientific, it’s not meant to be). It is where your emotions stem form, Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, Matthew 2:37 (NIV). All connected right?!   The bible is perfectly clear in any translation to guard your heart, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV).  I am sure it does not just mean from pornography, pre-marital relations, satanic items/rituals and dysfunctional relationships. I believe it is anything not edifying to Christ. Sometimes we see a quote, photo or status update we like. Therefore we double click little like button. Innocent enough, right?! Um, no! I have to constantly remind my children those photos, quotes and status are sometimes connected to a page, friend or company not edifying to Christ. I’ve noticed my teen daughter likes a lot of photos with quotes containing curse words. Words not used in my home. This bothers me beyond words. So, I’ve told her if it continues I will take her Facebook away. I have gone as far as linking her photo stream on her IPhone to my computer. If any inappropriate photos are taken or received and saved, I know all about it. Her phone is also on family plan, if she says she is going somewhere I can look on family plan and know within 63 feet of the location where she is at. Oh, yes I am that mean mother. I know some of you are thinking “Oh my goodness, she’s a terrible control freak.” No, that is not it at all.  If she is unable or doesn’t want to guard her heart as a child lent and entrusted to me. Then I will, it’s my job. Their father relinquished his rights. He had his reason, he says. I am sure, nor at this point is it relevant. However, when my children or myself have mutual friends on social media site we can see all comments, updates and photos liked by him, his wife or his Step-children. Yes, this bothers a couple of my children. So, as the mean mother I am; I blocked him and all his family from my children’s pages. They can no longer see any activity by him or his family. Thus, cutting back on their negative emotions (protecting their hearts). I also informed my children if their curiosity gets the best of them and they decide to unblock or re-friend any of these people I will gladly delete their Facebook. Yes, again I am that mother. I was told once “if your children are mad at you at least half the time you are not doing your job”. Or “you are not their friend, you are their parent.” There is so much truth in both statements. So, as I prayerfully ask God will lead me and guide my footsteps in parenting. I know there will be plenty of mistakes, tears and doubt. I know God will keep his promise.

 

Remember as a parent, Single parent or not these following things (Things God has reminded me of).

 

1.       You are not their friend, they have plenty of friends. You are their parent entrusted by a God who has only allowed you to borrow them. Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bring shame to his mother.”

2.       Children are a blessing, a reward. Yes, even when you are doubting it. “Children are a gift from God, they are his reward.” Psalms 127:3

3.       Discipline is a form of love. Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers (or mothers), do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”

4.       On your bad days “this too shall pass.” 2 Corinthians 4:14 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  

5.       A child’s obedience is a biblical commandment. Ephesians 6:1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

 

Praying today this post may bless someone.

 

Blessings,

Hollie Kate