Prayers for my children

On this Mother's Day, I'm reminded that there is no such thing as a day off for parents. God has blessed us with two precious children, and with that gift comes the responsibility of "training them up in the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). We cannot possibly carry out this tremendous responsibility alone, but must daily come before the God who knit them together in my womb and knows all the days ordained for them before they come to pass (Psalm 139). I celebrate Mother's Day because of my children, but I must never forget that they are only mine for a little while, but they are His forever.

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My friend Kathryn posted this on her blog recently, and it is well worth passing on. Below are thirty attributes--one for each day of the month--to pray for your children.

A love for God's word
May my children grow to find your word "more precious than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb."
Psalm 19:10

Justice
God, help my children to love justice as you do and to act justly in all they do.
Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8

Mercy
May my children always "be merciful, as their Father is merciful."
Luke 6:36

Respect
Father, grant that my children may "show proper respect to everyone," as your word commands.
1 Peter 2:17

Strong, biblical self-esteem
Help my children develop a strong self esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works."
Ephesians 2:10

Faithfulness
Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts.
Proverbs 3:3

A passion for God
Lord, please instill in each of my children a soul with a craving for you, a heart that clings passionately to You.
Psalm 63:8

Courage
May my children always "be strong and courageous" in their character and actions.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Salvation
Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10

Growth in Grace
I pray that my children may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18

Love
Lord grant that my children may learn to “walk in love” through the Spirit who dwells in them.
Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22

Honesty and Integrity
May integrity and honesty be my children's virtue and their protection.
Psalm 25:21

Self Control
Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self controlled in all they do.
1 Thessalonians 5

Responsibility
Grant that my children may learn responsibility, "for each one should bear his own load."
Galatians 6:5

Kindness
Lord, may my children learn not to “repay evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15

Generosity
Grant that my children may "be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
1 Timothy 6:18-19

Peace
Father, let my children “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
Romans 14:19

Hope
May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Perseverance
Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to "run with endurance” the race marked out before them.
Hebrews 12:1

Humility
Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all.
Titus 3:2

Compassion
Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.
Colossians 3:12

Prayerfulness
Lord, let my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."
Ephesians 6:18

Contentment
Father, teach my children "the secret of being content in any and every circumstance” through Him who gives them strength.
Philippians 4:12-13

Faith
I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.
Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40

A servant's heart
Lord, please help each of my children develop a servant's heart, that they may serve wholeheartedly "as to the Lord and not to man."
Ephesians 6:7

Purity
Create in my children a clean heart, O God, and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions.
Psalm 51:10

A willingness and ability to work hard
Lord, teach my children to value work and to work heartily at whatever they do, “as for the Lord and not for men.”
Colossians 3:23

Self-discipline
Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they each may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.
Proverbs 1:3

A heart for missions
Lord, please help each of my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds proclaimed among all peoples.
Psalm 96:3

Joy
May my children be filled with “the joy given by the Holy Spirit."
1 Thessalonians 1:6