“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Loving the Children!

“’I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”
Mark 10:15-16 (NIV)

This week our prayer emphasis will focus on loving children like Jesus does.  God has a lot to say about His concern for children.  Many children are struggling with little or no perceived value — not just in far off places of the world, but in our own communities and neighborhoods.  As you pray this week, pray that the children in your life would know the love of God that He lavishes on them.  Pray that you would love and value children just as God does.  Pray that God would mold your heart and will into that which aligns with His love and care for children.  Pray for the courage to be involved in the lives of children in ways that show them the love of God.  Pray about how you can serve the needs of children, both in the church gathering and in the community.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please pray each day for God’s help in loving children like Jesus does.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday:  Children Who Are Obedient.  Pray that you would live in obedience to Christ out of love for Him and as an example to others.  Pray that children would be filled with the presence of God as they put away the desires of ignorance and walk in obedience to God.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”  1 Peter 1:14 (NIV)

Tuesday:  Children Who Are Forgiven.  Pray that your life would be lived in a way that reflects the forgiveness that you have received in Christ.  Pray that children would know the depths of God’s forgiveness as they experience your forgiveness.  Pray that God’s forgiveness of you would lead you to forgive others more.  “I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.”  1 John 2:12 (NIV)

Wednesday:  Children Who Live With Confidence.   Pray that you would live life with a confidence in the future because of whose child you are.  Pray that children would begin, and continue, a life in Christ so they would have a confidence in being unashamed when He returns.  “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”  1 John 2:28 (NIV)

Thursday:  Children Who Have Genuine Love.  Pray that your love for others would be reflected in the things you actually do.  Pray that children would see and hear in you a consistency that demonstrates through your actions both your love and God’s love for them.  Pray that your expressions of love would be truthful.  “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”  1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Friday:  Children Who Worship God Exclusively.  Pray that you would be aware of the things which could easily become idols in your life so that you can avoid them.  Pray that children would see in you a life that only worships God.  Pray for the children who are growing in a world that is filled with people and things wanting to be worshiped.  “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”  1 John 5:21 (NIV)

Saturday:  Children Who Walk In Truth.  Pray that you would be one that finds, and expresses, joy through walking in the truth of God’s Word.  Pray that children would learn from your words and example as they find the greatest of all joys can be discovered through walking with God in truth.  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  3 John 1:4 (NIV)