Lord, give each of these children a generous heart, for we know that You love a cheerful giver.  May their hearts be focused on all the abundant heavenly treasures that have eternal value, not in the passing earthly treasures of this world.                  2 Corinthians 9:7

                                                               In Jesus’ Name,  Amen

Our society today constantly sends the message that we need more, more, and more.  We need better, bigger, newest, latest.  I am very guilty of buying into the lie of more and better for me, me, and me.

And that is the same society that shouts these false messages to our children.  If I fall prey to this, and I know better, how much more easily will our children fall prey to this “More for Me” mentality?

The only way to counteract this constant message is to give.

We must model for our children a generous heart.  They should see us be generous with our treasures, our talents, and our time.  If we value heaven over earth, they will learn to do the same.  If we hold loosely to our earthly treasures, they too will hold loosely to theirs.  Let’s pray for generosity to be imbedded into our personalities and the personalities of our children.

In addition to praying for your children to have a generous heart, ask the Lord what you can do with your children to model that.  Is there a needy family you could help?  A neighbor for whom you could bake cookies?  Is there someone to whom you could offer food, clothes, or toys?  Let’s not wait until next Christmas to show our children what it means to be generous.

Lord, teach these children to pray.  May they learn that they should not worry about anything but instead pray about everything.  May they tell You their needs and not forget to thank You for Your answers.  And may they experience Your peace which passes all understanding.   Matthew 6: 5-13; Philippians 4:6-7

                                                                   In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I have a very beautiful memory that makes me smile every time I think of it.  When my 20-year-old daughter, Katie, started school she and I both were very nervous.  The first day I walked her to the classroom, helped her find her desk and put away her supplies, and then quickly walked toward the door to leave, knowing that neither she nor I would fare very well if I didn’t leave.  As I walked through the door, I looked back one last time and she was looking straight at me.  I mouthed, “It’s okay,” and she folded her little 5-year-old hands and mouthed, “Pray for me.”  I nodded yes and walked quickly away, trying to make it to the car before I cried.

Even today, I treasure that memory for two reasons.  First of all, at that young of an age, she knew to pray and secondly, she knew she could ask me to pray.  Those two nuggets of truth have not left her to this day.   I have made ALOT of mistakes in my years of parenting.  I think it is a gift when the Lord gives us a memory like that one.

I think the best way for our children to learn to pray, and to understand the importance of praying about everything, is to see and hear us pray about everything. The Bible says that Jesus taught His disciples to pray—so we should teach this to our children or grandchildren.  They learn best by watching us. Maybe this is intimidating to adults as well, but what better way to learn to pray aloud—we don’t have to be embarrassed in front of children!

Maybe today you are worried about something.  Pray about it.  Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers.  He will answer.  And that truth will provide the peace that passes all understanding.  That is my prayer for you.  Peace.

Lord, help each of these children to liberally gain the wisdom that You promise to give them.  May they learn to ask and seek your guidance.       James 1:5

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What is wisdom?  Webster says that wisdom is “the ability to understand what is right, true, or enduring; good judgment; knowledge.”  Being wise means, “sound judgment marked by deep understanding”.

Take a moment to read and meditate on 1Corinthians 1:18-31.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

These verses show us that there is a difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God.  God’s wisdom is unfailing.   We must pray that we and our children are given the gift of godly wisdom for His glory alone.

Godly wisdom will help you to see the children in your life as God sees them.  Godly wisdom will help you guide and parent your children in the way that God has chosen for you.

There is no cookie-cutter method of parenting.  We have learned that the hard way at times.  With so many children, we have to take the time to listen to God about what each one needs.  We don’t always know what to do, but God promises that if we ask for wisdom He will give it.  And He will give it to our children, too, making them wise beyond their years and wise beyond this world’s standards.

Lord, may these children know that You, who began a good work in them, will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.                     Philippians 1:6

                                                                                                                      In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 How many times have I prayed this prayer for my children?  Countless.  I have prayed this with great joy at times, and with desperation at other times.  He began the work when He created them.  He continued the work when I taught them about Jesus and His love.  The first time they sang, “Jesus loves me, this I know…” it was part of the good work He is performing in them.  And it is He who will bring it to completion.

On that last day, they will stand complete in Him, and I will marvel at the good work.

Even on bad days, days filled with doubt, I will choose to remember—and believe that He is true to His word and His good work.

Lord, may these children learn to do their work heartily, as working for the Lord and not for men.    Colossians 3:23

                                                                                                                                In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hard work is becoming a lost art.  We want everything to be easy and convenient.  But neither ease nor convenience are the best teachers.  We must make our children learn to work hard and do their best, even if no one notices.  If they do not learn to work hard, they will be handicapped in the future.  The real lesson, however, is learning to do their work for Lord, offering their efforts to the Lord and trusting Him to crown them with success.

That can be a hard lesson for us, too.  Let your example of hard work motivate your children.  But more importantly, may they see that everything you do you do it for God’s glory, not your own.