Saturday, February 26, 2011

Feburary/Narch - Transition

Good Morning Parents,
My heart has been heavy the last few weeks by events going on in my life and my friends life. I'd like to start by giving Praises and Thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for keeping my best friends teenage daughter and 2 of her friends safe in car wreck earlier this week. The SUV they were in actually kept them safe as the vehicle flipped over on it's side. God's hand of protection was on them. My friend's daughter ended up breaking her thumb-we all know that things could have been much worse- and I pray for complete and totatl healing without any long term problems. My 2 teenage daughters were also in a much smaller wreck ~ 2 weeks ago. When you are able to look back at situations as a "Christian" you are able to see how things could have been had God's protection had not been there. I'm so very thankful for God's healing and protection over our children.

As we end up Feburary of our prayer calander we begin to head into our new area to cover our children -destiny and talents. I know when I mention the word destiny people look at me weird as if it was a voodoo word of the spirit world so I looked up the meaning in the good ole Webster's dictionary.

Destiny -1. something to which a person or thing is destined. 2. a predetermined course of events often held to an irresistible power or agency.

Destine- 1. to decree beforehand. 2. to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance, or set apart for a specific purpose or place.

Talent-1. any of several ancient units of weight. 2. a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person or animal. 3. the natural endowments of a person. 4. a special often creative or artistic aptitude.
The syn- gift.

I wanted to take time to get the meanings of these words down so we as parents are clear as to exactly what we are praying for. My desire for my children is that they would discover their "destiny" or their purpose or place in this life. I desire that God would bless their "natural endowments" so that He can use them to further His kingdom.

As already mentioned, I have two teenage daughters. One is in 8th grade getting ready to go to high school. She has been looking at what type of dipolma she wants and what type of classess she'd like to take. The form she filled out is her "4 year plan". I know any choice she tenatively makes now can be changed over the next 4 years. But my point is that at 14 she is having to start to think about her future and I want part of that thought process to be "What does God want me to do? What has He set me apart for?" My oldest daughter is a junior and thinking about career choices, colleges, scholorsips, and summer jobs. I don't want her making those choices on her own. Both girls are having to think about their futures. How much more as parents should we be covering those choices in advance in prayer and asking for God's direction. I believe the vers that tells us to train a child in the way he should go is to really direct them in the purpose God created them for. I will cover that more later. I really believe that we need to cover these areas of their life even if they are newborns. You can't start too early.

A parent's heart - Shannon

Feburary 26th
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalms 27:14 (NIV)

Awesome Lord, I know sometimes we have to wait for Your healing to take place. Give me strength to be strong and to wait for Your timing to provide healing to my child(ren).

Feburary 27th
"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40 (NIV)

Dear God, I pray that my child(ren) would grow to be strong in their physical bodies and in Your wisdom and that Your grace would be upon him/her all the days of his/her life.

Feburary 28th
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

Lord, above all I pray that my child(ren) would be strong in you and your mighty power as according to Your Word.

March 1st
"But you aren not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light..." 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

God, Thank You for choosing my child(ren). I pray that he/she would show others Your goodness. Thank You for calling him/her out of darkness. May he/she always know that he/she belongs to You.

March 2nd
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the plans that You have made for my child. I(ren). I pray that Your call on his/her life would be sealed and complete as he/she grows up. I pray that he/she would not be limited in their imagination of his/her abilities.

March 3rd
"So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away." 2 Peter 1:10 (NLT) **Read verses 3-15 My Bible has labeled this section "Make your calling and Election Sure" awesome.

Mighty God, I pray that my child(ren) would always understand the value of hard work. I pray that he/she would never fall away from Your protection and Grace. May others come to see You in the way my child(ren) work.

March 4th
"Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, 'Don't muzzle a working ox' and 'A worker deserves his pay.' " 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (Message)

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that my child(ren) would recieve bonuses for working hard. I pray that he/she would always receive the pay that he/she deserves. I pray that You would help me to instill in them a good work ethic.

I hope you parents are as excited about these verses as I am. Continue to journal where your children are right now in their destiny and see where God takes them over this year. I'd love to hear from you and what God is showing you through this journey. Please share this blog with your freinds.

May God richly bless you as you cover your children in prayer. May your eyes and ears be opened to God's direction. May He reveal treasures/secrets to you about your child(ren)'s destiny and talents.

A parent's heart- Shannon

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Feburary- Health

Dear Parents,

I want to appoloize for not posting our devo's for this past week. I have been doing some healing of my own with recovering from gall bladder surgery Friday a week ago. I can say this our Heavenly Father is so very Faithful. I have been able to bounce back rather quickly as some people may say. God has given me favor for quick recoveries as I have had much practice over the years. I truely trust and know the charcter of Jevhoah Rophe- God our Healer.

I won't delay any longer. I have decided to give 2 scriptures and prayers for each day this week to make sure you have all verses that God has given.

Feburary 19th

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and my his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)

Dear Lord, I can't imagine the pain You bore for our sins and our healing. May I never take for granted - the cost of my child(ren)'s healing. Thank You Lord for the healing that is found in Your wounds.

"As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed everyone." Luke 4:40 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, I know You are the same yesterday, today, and for ever. I pray that You would heal my child(ren) according to Your promises of healing. I thank You in advance for healing him/her no matter what the illness is.

Feburary 20th

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 (NIV)

Father I pray that my child(ren) would find healing in his/her physical body as he/she confesses any sin in his/her life. We know that You hear our prayers.

"They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirists were healed." Luke 6:18 (NLT)

Wonderful Healer, there are so many exsmples of healing in Your Word. I trust in You and ask that You would heal my child(ren). Please take away any sickness and pain and make him/her whole. I thank You for Your healing.

Feburary 21

"But for you who rever my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." Malachi 4:2 (NIV)

I pray for my child(ren) to rise up with healing in his/her body as he/she respects Your precious name.

"They will be able to handle snakes safely and if they drink anything poisonous it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." Mark 16:18

Dear Lord, Your Word is so awesome and powerful. Thank You for the promise of healing and protection in this verse. I pray and believe these things for my child(ren). I pray for him/her to make good choices and to not intentionally put themselves in danger. I entrust my child(ren) into Your daily care.

Feburary 22
"He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed." 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

Mighty Lord, thank You for carrying our sins so that my child(ren) can live for what is right. Thank You for healing in the wounds You suffered while on the cross.

"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness." Matthew 4:23 (NLT)

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that there is no disease too big or too small for You to heal. I lift up my child(ren) to You this day and trust in Your promise of healing. I accept it, I believe it, and expect it! In faith I thank You.

Feburary 23
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righeousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8 (NIV)

Dear Father, I pray that healing would come quickly for my child(ren) when he/she is sick. Thank You awesome Lord for the promise of Your Glory going as his/her rear guard-so You can protect him/her from what he/she can't see.

"Are you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with the oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:13-14 (NLT)

Father God, thank You for the church that You have placed our family in. I pray that You would lead us to church to help us cover our child(ren) in prayer when he/she is sick so that he/she can be anointed with oil and be prayed over in the name of the Lord.

Feburary 24
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Dear God, I pray that my child(ren) would understand the cost You paid for him/her so that he/she would never abuse food, drugs, alchol, medications, T.V., music, internet, or even excerise. Help me to be an example to my child(ren) of showing You honor in how I treat my own temple/body.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whereever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Dear Lord, I pray for my child(ren) to be strong and courageous at all times in sickness and health. I pray against fear and discouragement. I pray that he/she will remember Your promise that You will be with him/her wherever he/she goes.

Feburary 25
"He sent forth His Word and healed them;" Psalm 107:20 (NIV)

Dear God, thank You for Your Word that was sent forth to give my child(ren) the gift of healing. I ask that You heal his/her body this day of sickness in mind and body.

"Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left." Joshua 23:6 (NIV)

Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up my child(ren) to You this day and pray that he/she would heed Your warnings to be strong, careful, and to obey Your Laws so that he/she can receive of the promises of Your covenant to include healing.

Well Parents, I hope you are as awed as I am -how God's Word truely covers every thing that we may need. I know these prayers are short but use them to start your own prayers over your child(ren). I know once you start to pray the Lord will lead you to other areas to pray in and over your child(ren). He is so very awesome like that.

I hope everyone has a great week...Don't forget to journal what God is showing you as you pray over your babies.

A parent's heart - Shannon

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Feburary - Health

Parents,

I hope everyone had a great week. I hope everyone is enjoying the challenge to pray God's Word over your children. I know we pray for our children but the I think the challenge comes in to not allow the struggles, stresses, routine of our everyday lives to distract us from manning our post on our knees covering every part of our children's lives. I think as humans in general we take our health for granted until something unexpected happens. Working in the medical field in physical therapy for over 21 years I have seen a routine ride home from work leave someone's body changed for the rest of their lives. I've seen an infection travel to the brain leaving a thriving 20 year old wheelchair bound from an abcessed tooth. I've worked with people involved in tornato's, random acts of vilence, and vehicle accidents that have changed thier physical abilities for the rest of their lives. I think praying for our children's health and safey is extremely important. We are can't be with them every minute of the day to be on the look out for any physical danger that maybe heading their way. But I know our Heavenly Father can.

Feburary 5th
"Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them to. You restored me to health and let me live." Isaiah 38:16 (NIV)

I pray to You Heavenly Father that You'd restore health to my child(ren) and let him/her live a long life according to Your Will and destiny for his/her life."

Feburary 6th,
"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord..." Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV)

Wonderful Lord I thank You for Your Word that declares healing to our wounds. I stand on Your promise to restore my child(ren) to health.

Feburary 7th
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." 3 John 1:2 (NIV)

Dear Father in Heaven, I pray thay my child(ren) would enjoy good health all the days of his/her life. Lord, I pray that his/her soul would be ever connected to You growing stronger everyday.

Feburary 8th
"We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for Your perfection. " 2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV)

Father God, I lift up my child(ren) to You and ask for Your perfection in his/her life. I pray that you would become strong in his/her weakness.

Feburary 9th
"Is anyone of you sick? He should call on the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lod will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." James 5:14-15 (NIV)

Jehovah Rophe, I pray that I would have faith to be obedient to Your Word to call on the church elders to hlep me pray over my child(ren). Thank Lord for Your promise to heal him/her when he/she is sick.

Feburary 10th
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all sins and heals all your diseases." Psalms 103:2-3 (NIV)

Lord thank You for Your promise of healing. I pray that my child(ren) would never forget the benefits of being Your child.

Feburary 11th
"He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave..." Psalm 107:20 (NIV)

Thank you Lord for the power of Your spoken word. I trust in Your ability to rescue my child(ren) from illness and even the grave.

I have written down things that I know my children need healing of. I'm trusting in the power of God's Word and His plans for each one of my girls to heal each area of their physical, emotional, and spirtual lives. Don't forget to write specific details down so you can go back and see where God has answered your prayers. Ask God to remind you of your prayers so that you can SEE where He has answered. I think many times we don't see how God has answered our prayers especially if He answers in ways we were expecting.

May God richly bless you as you continue on this journey this year!

A parent's heart - Shannon