3 Ways of Praying for Children

Praying for our children is the most important thing we can do because we stand in the gap for our children.

Scripture thought:  Proverbs 13: 20 (AMP) "He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, but the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm."

I believe it is important to pray that our children will attract Godly friends and role models. We know when they leave our homes they will have to fend for themselves.

Proverbs 3: 1 - 2 (AMP) The Rewards of Wisdom "My son, do not forget my [a] teaching but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life [worth living] and tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life's blessings] they will add to you." Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Praying for our children to grow hungry for God's Word. Let our children become people of stature. Let them be reliable and a source of strength. Praying against laziness and slothfulness and not lusting after the flesh.

As Christian mothers, we pray that our children will become the people God created them to be. In 2 Timothy 1: 9 (AMP) "for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life - a life set apart - a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit - we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago], ..." Daily Devotional Ebenezer

Yes, sometimes we feel a cloud of guilt covering our thoughts when we think of our children. Some children just don't take counsel from their parents. I am grateful that the Lord Jesus didn't hold the prodigal son's father accountable for his actions. I believe that there comes a time when children grow up and take accountability for their own lives. Kellan Publishing

We sometimes feel we failed our children but God is faithful and will forgive us. As I confess my own mistakes before God I pray for His blessing over my children. Here is a promise in Jeremiah 31: 16 - 17 (AMP) "Thus says the Lord, 'Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,' says the Lord; and your children will return from the enemy's land. "The is [confident] hope for your future," says the Lord; your children will come back to their own country."

Today I want to encourage you to keep on praying for your children.

Heavenly Father, I want to pray for all of my children and ask You to please help them attract Godly friends who will be good role models to them in their lives. Please Lord, create a hunger and thirst for You and drawing closer to You. Please let them be the person You have created them to be. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Yvette van Niekerk ~ Author

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Are you unaware of God’s presence?

Genesis 28:16-18 (AMP)

¹⁶ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said, “Without any doubt, the Lord is in this place, and I did not realize it.” ¹⁷ So he was afraid and said, “How fearful and awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gateway to heaven.”

¹⁸ So Jacob got up early in the morning and took the stone he had put under his head and he set it up as a pillar [that is, a monument to the vision in his dream], and he poured [olive] oil on the top of it [to consecrate it].

I know I am always so busy I don’t really sit down for two minutes because there is always something that needs to be done. I hate leaving things to pile up and end up doing almost everything. It seems people like to take advantage of my wiliness to do anything. Shame on me, for not always paying attention and this weekend both me and my husband were worried about a number of things. I must tell you everything worked out just fine because God was in our circumstances. We didn’t realize that He was at work for us.

In times like this I sit back and look at the events and I stand amazed that God was able to help us. I can hardly believe it but thinking about our circumstance it sure was clear God’s hand was over our lives.

What an awesome God we serve, hallelujah. Thank You so much, Lord.

Prayer

Abba Father, please forgive all of us for being so busy with all kinds of things that we forget to include You in our daily lives. Jacob never realized that You were right with him, I also am guilty of such a sin. Forgive me, Lord, I am grateful that You are always with me, and looking out for me. Thank You, Lord, in the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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#Friday ~ Keep on Praying!

Acts 12: 5 AMP

“So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent and persistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church.”

I am a contract worker and it is truly difficult for me to find a position. Last year December I spoke to my Manager and asked her if they would consider renewing my contract for a couple of months. In January this year, I decided to join her and some of our colleagues also joined us in a 21 day fast. One of the requests in my prayers was for the extension of my contract.

I prayed about it and I asked the Lord to please open a door for me and guess what? The Lord answered my prayers. My contract has been extended. I am so grateful and it reminds me that God still answers prayers and we shouldn't let it fall away.

My prayer today is:  Abba Father, Lord thank You, so much for answered prayers. I am so grateful that You still answer prayers and that You have not forgotten me. Yes, I sometimes feel abandoned and alone but You are so faithful and are still with me. I love and Adore You, Lord, in Jesus Christ's name. Amen

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Your life can change drastically “for want of a nail.”

"For want of a nail, a horseshoe was lost,
for want of a horseshoe, a horse went lame,
for want of a horse, a rider never got through,
for want of a rider, a message never arrived,
for want of a message an army was never sent,
for want of an army a battle was lost,
for want of a battle, a war was lost,
for want of a war, a kingdom fell,
and all for want of a nail.

– Unknown"

Every time I read this old proverb I think of people who drop the ball so to speak they need to carry out a simple assignment and believe it isn’t important enough. Their lack of self-discipline causes a disaster which could have been avoided.

It is clear that Jabez wanted to change his life, his mother named him Jabez which means “Pain.” He decided to change things around and actually did something about it, he prayed to the Lord and asked the LORD to help him.

It is my heart’s desire to do my best job now, even if it is considered to be a small assignment and seems minuscule. Spending time with the LORD and asking the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and ears so that I am able to ask God to help me enlarge my influence. Taking the time and asking God to expand my wealth. I believe we need to be specific and learn to pray bigger prayers. If Jabez felt he needed a change in his life and actually bowed down asking God to expand his influence and enlarge his territory, why can’t you?

Prayer

Abba Father, thank You, for answered prayers, thank You for enlarging my territory and thank You also for helping me enlarge my influence in life. Holy Spirit comes into our lives and shows us what we need to pray about. Guide us and teach us, in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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No fear for the future

Psalm 139: 16 (NLT) 

16You saw me before I was born. 

Every day of my life was recorded in your book. 

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

In my youth and my young adult life, I didn’t fear my future; I was sure and felt nothing can shake me. I used to be really bold and took the bull by the provable horns. It struck me that as I grew older I became more concerned about my life, my future and what would become of me.

Then I read these powerful words and realized that nothing I do will change my future. The Lord God saw me in my mom womb and my entire life has been recorded in a book of life. The moment for a moment was laid out before each day passed. So why did I feel insecure and worried about my future?

The not knowing, feelings of insecurity caught up with me. Stopping my feelings of insecurity, I realized that God was in control over my life, He knew everything about me. I didn’t have to fear the future. The book has been written and I just need to live my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I believe You have a good future in place for me and I accept it regardless of my circumstances. Lord, I believe in Your words of promise spoken over my life and accept that You know best for me, as You have taken me by my right hand I walk confidently in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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#Insurance Cover – The Blood of Jesus

Matthew 6: 33
“But first and most importantly seek
(aim at, strive after) His kingdom
and His righteousness [His way of doing
and being right – the attitude and character of God],
and all these things will be given to you also.”

If you are like most people you would have insurance coverage in your homes, your vehicles and many other items of value. Have you considered that you are valuable? Yes, of course, you are. You are covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ. The minute you have received the Lord Jesus Christ as your own salvation and started a personal relationship with Him, you are covered.

We are reminded to first seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, in doing this we do not have to worry about anything. As Children of God, we are covered, the Blood of Jesus Christ is our cover.

Think about this, you know your insurance will pay out if the house you live in burns down, or if your car is stolen.  In a way it doesn’t worry you because you know you are fine, it is covered.

Do you agree with me that both you and I are bought and cleansed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ the price of sin was paid for you and me?  Precious items have a cover with the Lord, I am a Child of God.

Prayer

O Lord my God I want to say thank You for the knowledge that I am covered by the precious blood of Jesus Christ which is constantly cleansing my life. I have the assurance that as Your child I am heir with the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise and Honor and Glory to Your holy Name, in Jesus Christ Name. Amen

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Getting it right.

John 14: 26 AMP

“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor –
Counsellor, Straightener, Standby),
the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in My name [in My place,
to represent Me and act on My behalf],
He will teach you all things.
 And He will help you remember
 everything that I have told you.”

You know when you always aspire to do your best job now. I do not procrastinate when an assignment is given to me I do it when I receive it. Because I feel that I want to do my best job now, I check my work all the time. It was difficult in the beginning but now I know that whatever I am doing is 100% correct.

I have come to realize that I can only do my best job now with the help of the Holy Spirit. I cannot do anything on my or even in my own strength.

I think it's not so easy becoming a doer when other just say "yes" and walk away. The "doing" is what makes the difference in today's life.

Prayer: Holy Spirit in my weakness I stand before You please come alongside me and help me with every aspect of my life. I cannot do anything in my own strength. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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#doers not just hearers.

James 1: 22 AMP

“But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively
and continually obeying God’s precepts],
and not merely listeners [who hear the word but
fail to internalize its meaning],
deluding yourselves [by unsound
reasoning contrary to the truth].”

You know when you get that bright idea and it keeps you out of sleep almost the whole night? The next day you feel like a train hit you. I know those thoughts and then I forget all about my great idea.

Or someone is constantly telling you what they are going to do, “I’m going to write this very good story and then I’m going to be a rich as “Castle” on TV. I also used to talk about all the wonderful things I was going to do. The sad part is I never put action to my talking. I never actually did anything about it. I just talked about it.

It is the same with serving God, we have all this information at hand and we supposed to be sharing with the World. I write because I enjoy writing and I believe someone is reading what I think and may agree or disagree with me. I don’t know but now I have their attention and they want to see what else I am saying. It is my hope that the Holy Spirit will touch each person’s life when they read my short daily devotional.

Prayer

Lord, humbly I pray that You will create a thirst in our lives to help us chase after Your Word. Help me be a doer of Your Word in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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I feel like the odds are stacked against me.

Exodus 14: 14 AMP
“The LORD will fight for you while you
[only need to] keep silent
and remain calm.”

We all go through life with all kinds of “hang-ups” I am no different. Today it feels like the odds are stacked against me and that there is no way forward for me. I didn’t plan on things to work like this but again I am reminded of something called consequences.

If you think you can get away from this little word “consequences” I want to give you a short message, you will reap what you sow. Good or bad, whatever you say will catch up with you and whatever you do will impact you going into your future. Be warned.

Because I feel that all the odds are stacked against me my only refuges is the LORD. I cannot change my past, I made mistakes and have to live with them. It drives me up the wall at times but I want to say this much. I pray for God’s hand over my life.

I feel that God is reminding me to “be still and trust in HIM.” My only way out is through God and no other way.

Prayer

LORD humbly I come into Your presence today, please bear with me. I feel that the odds are stacked against me, I am struggling to relax and I feel all alone. I need Your help today. I need You to help me, in my quiet time I am waiting for You to help me. Please LORD, I need You to stand up in my defence and rescue me in Jesus Christs name. Amen

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Waiting for my breakthrough

Daniel 10: 12 AMP
Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid,
Daniel, for from the first day that you set
your heart on understanding this and on humbling
yourself before your God,
your words were heard,
and I have come in response to your words.”

I am waiting for my breakthrough and I am trusting in the Lord, I know God hears my prayers. I have been praying for a number of people in my life and I believe God has touched each person’s life.

I pray for my family and friends and I see that God is with them. I am so grateful for that because it inspires me to keep on praying.

Lord, I want to come into Your presence and say thank You, I believe that You have answered my prayers. Yes, Lord, You are awesome, wonderful and I adore You. Thank You, thank You, thank You for answered prayers, I know that nothing is impossible with You. I see my breakthrough and I praise You for it.

In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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Prayer

Jeremiah 15: 1 AMP
“Then the LORD said to me,
“Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand
before Me[interceding for them],
My heart would still not be
[turned with favour]
towards this people[Judah].
Send them away from My presence and out of My sight
and let them go!”

The LORD said even if Moses and Samuel came and prayed about this people, I will not change my mind God is truly angry. We know that Samuel prayed for rain and it rained. We also know that the LORD Jesus used to get up early in the morning and pray.

It is my desire to pray as often as possible but that’s not the point, I want my prayers to count, I don’t have ‘clout’ like Moses or Samuel. I don’t have the ability to move mountains but I can ask for help.

We need to be saturated with our prayer life so that when something happens we don’t have to quickly come and say a rushed prayer. No, we should also make the time to pray and ask God to be our protection, our helper and our salvation.

Prayer

Abba Father, O Lord, please teach us to pray in all humility and with honest hearts, check our motives and help us come to You in humble prayer. Holy Spirit please help us because You know what we are trying to say, speak on our behalf in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

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