As is happening more and more frequently, God's decided that my time with Him be captured at 3:30 am. I guess He figures He's got my undivided attention at this time - He's right. Many times the only way I can return to slumber is through my conversation with Him. This morning He put our kids on my heart. They're all headed back to school and that's a very good place to be. Take a poll of most parents today (okay - not at 3:30 am...) and they'll assure you that it's time - at least the parents, they're ready!
If you'd allow, I'd like to pray over our kids - yours and mine. Be you a believer or not, I think we can agree that our kids deserve all the help they can get in this sometimes cruel and forever broken world. I know of no other power greater than the power of prayer to the King of the Universe. I mean you think YOU love your kid? God's got such a bigger and greater love for them than any of us can even wrap our tiny brains around. So here goes:
Dear Father God, our kids are about to embark on another year of learning. Learning the things that this world deems necessary to be successful on earth. As our kids return to school - be it daycare, preschool, high school, or university; public or private; big or small - please surround them with your shield of protection. Protect their minds and souls from the increasing evil in this world. Surround them with friends, peers, and adults that would only point them toward to You and Your grace.
Father, for those that already know You and Your amazing love for them - reassure them. May they feel Your presence with them as they go through each day. Continue your relentless pursuit of them with the fervor necessary to remind them that You'll never let them down and You'll never let them go. Rekindle and fan the flame that gives them the courage to live out loud for You. When they falter, place ones in their path that will help them stay the course. As they struggle to find their way and place in this world, I pray that they would find their identities in You. Place in them the desire to be bold in living out their faith as they walk with You.
For those, Lord, who've yet to realize Your loving pursuit of their souls - those that are questioning and searching and looking for things to fill them - place in their lives members of Your army that are equipped by You with the exact tools necessary to plant seeds, water, nurture, or prune. Place on their journey people that will meet them where they are to love on them in Your name. Give those people words to say and prayers to pray that will guide those who search in Your direction.
Lord, for the parents, teachers, professors, and adults; truly any person that has an influential role in the lives of our kids (secretaries, bus drivers, lunch ladies, maintenance staff, counselors, coaches, and trainers); those that provide instruction and learning to our youth, myself included - may we continue live out Your will in our lives. Give us the strength and the courage to do our jobs in ways that bless You and those we teach. May we provide a kind and safe haven for our children to learn and grow and mature. May all that we say and do and live out in Your name give You glory always.
Finally Father, for those who are convinced that You are not real, continue to soften their hearts and open their minds that they might begin to discover You in this crazy messed up world so loved by You. I pray that many will choose to come to You this year and they will find in You the peace and joy and love that is limitless because it is of You.
Help us to be present for one another, Lord. Let us choose kindness each and every day in our dealing with each other.
Father, I am humbled that You, the Master of the Universe and King of kings, choose me to be one of Your servants. May my love for You be evident in all things that I do and say. Bless this year of learning and teaching, Lord and may we all be reminded that ONLY the things we learn from and about You and Your grace will truly matter as we spend eternity in Your presence.
Lord, I will continue to Look Upward and Outward for ways to serve You.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
