Prayer for Our Children

Prayer for Our Children (and grandchildren)

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand pluck them.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Holy Father,save our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them,
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide
Lead them Home at eventide.

From Toward Jerusalem
by Amy Carmichael

And parents and grandparents everywhere said Amen.

Prayer for Our Daughters

LORD, You have blessed us with two grown daughters and soon TWO granddaughters.
Thank you for each one.
How amazing that we not only share family ties but love for You as well.
We pray for each one.
May they walk with You leading, our Faithful Shepherd.

"You promise to tend your flock like a shepherd. Gather Kira, Tacy, Molly and little one like a lamb in your arms and carry them close to Your heart. And just as you promise to gently lead those that have young, teach us"...how to lead, guide and and care for those in our sphere of influence. Isaiah 40:11
(from Praying the Scriptures for your Children by Jodie Berndt)

Thank you for hearing our prayers!
Amen.

A Prayer for Grown Sons

Since we have two grown sons plus two son -in-laws, I thought I would share this poem/prayer by Grace Noll Crowell published in a book called The Wind-Swept Harp(1946). May Jesus shine His light in their lives each day.

A PRAYER FOR GROWN SONS

They are men now, LORD, my hands at last are emptied
Of the countless tasks required for so long,
And I am helpless quite before the problems
That grown sons face. I cannot right Earth's wrongs,
Or smooth their pathways, but dear LORD, You can.
Speak to them face to face, as man to man.

I have no legacy at all to give them,
But if my prayer be answered, it will give
Them more than any wealth the world can offer.
I pray: Christ, be their friend while they live.
Walk with them should they feel they walk alone,
And make your presence known, daily, hourly, known.

Companion them. I ask for nothing greater
Then this rich blessing for these precious ones;
The (holy) companionship of Christ, a young man,
As counselor and guide to these my sons.
I loose their hands, having done all I could do,
And trust them, LORD, implicitly to You. Amen.

Off to School

Our youngest of four children has moved into University Place Apartments in Birmingham, Alabama this weekend. Eric was SO excited, most of his friends had already left for college, so he didn't have a lot of good bye rounds to make, but he covered his bases.
We were happy for him, yet we'll also miss him.
Here are is a prayer from
A PARENT'S PRAYERS
for a college student
by Kathleen B. Nielson

PRAYER FOR HIS SOUL
All the other prayers, Lord,
take their places after this,
that you would own and guard his soul.
May he love Jesus more than life,
but more, may your love hold him fast
through all the journey you mark out.
Through valleys no one else will see,
please lead him, Lord, and bring him home
on the last day.
And sovereign Lord, again I give him up
into the hand of the one who died
to give him life.

A Norwegian Lutheran

Before I went to bed, I thought I would read a few pages from the current book I was enjoying. I saw this phrase on page 55 of the book, A Praying Life by Paul Miller, it made me think of my brother, Thom, who is a Norwegian Lutheran pastor. Instead, it was referring to the author of Prayer, a classic written by Ole Hallesby many years ago.
Hallesby puts the emphasis on helplessness as a perfect description of prayer. He uses the verse, "They have no wine", a statement of Mary to her son, Jesus at the wedding of Cana as an example. (John 2:3)
In times of trouble, it is easy to feel helpless and easier still to feel troubled and discouraged.
But many hymn writers have encouraged us to look to Jesus.

"Jesus I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart."

by Jean S. Pigott

Sending a Blessing

Here's a blessing for the twins
and
for many students and teachers returning to school...

May your life be enclosed in the safety of His keeping;
May it glow with the radiance of His presence,
and may you be a herald of His grace to others.
Let His name be very precious to you.
Breathe it in your prayers,
Lean on that name for strength, and
Trust Him for time and eternity.

Author unknown

Two Handsome Fellows

This summer God graced our home with two little twins that stole our hearts.
Our dear friends, the Whartons were the primary foster family for this darling duo, but Henry and I had the privilege of giving respite care on several occasions. What fun to diaper, bathe and feed bottles to these handsome fellows! Henry found out while playing the mandolin that one was more definitely interested in music while the other one fell asleep.
We all rejoiced (and shed a few tears) when they were placed by Bethany Christian Services in their forever family in July. They now have a big sister and loving parents eager to teach them of the love of Jesus.