And I am finally on to Day 16--Love Intercedes. Yes, still behind, but coming along. Be sure to visit Chelle for all the participants and their comments, how they are faring in their own "Love Dare".The verse and dare for this day are:
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers......3 John:2
and the dare:
Begin praying for your children's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you would desire for God to work in their lives and your relationship with them.
and the dare:
Begin praying for your children's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you would desire for God to work in their lives and your relationship with them.
When I first read this, I thought to myself: "Oh, this will be simple! I pray for my children always!" But then, reread--3 specific areas--just 3--which are the 3 most important areas in which I want God to work in their lives and in my relationship with them.
I cannot change my children, as much as I may try. They are each unique individuals, just as I am, each of us with our little quirks and tendencies.
Do I do things that they wish I would change? Yes, I do! Do they do things that I wish they would change? Yes, they do!
Have I asked them to change, nagged them relentlessly, talked with them about these things, argued with them? Yes, I have!
And have any of these things worked to change their behaviors? No, of course not. I cannot change them, and trying to only ends up in frustration, sometimes anger, disappointment for all concerned.
So, what should I do? Who can soften their hearts and make these changes?
I cannot change my children, as much as I may try. They are each unique individuals, just as I am, each of us with our little quirks and tendencies.
Do I do things that they wish I would change? Yes, I do! Do they do things that I wish they would change? Yes, they do!
Have I asked them to change, nagged them relentlessly, talked with them about these things, argued with them? Yes, I have!
And have any of these things worked to change their behaviors? No, of course not. I cannot change them, and trying to only ends up in frustration, sometimes anger, disappointment for all concerned.
So, what should I do? Who can soften their hearts and make these changes?
ONLY GOD
God is sovereign, in control of everything, and He does things His way, not my way. I know that He loves me, He loves my children, and He wants the best for us in our relationship with each other.
So, I take my children to God in prayer. God has pointed out and given me insight into my children's faults, almost overwhelmingly. Why? So, that I can endlessly nag them about these things? No, that's not it at all.
It is so I can kneel to Him, bow down to Him, and ask and allow Him to work in my children's lives.
So, I take my children to God in prayer. God has pointed out and given me insight into my children's faults, almost overwhelmingly. Why? So, that I can endlessly nag them about these things? No, that's not it at all.
It is so I can kneel to Him, bow down to Him, and ask and allow Him to work in my children's lives.
"Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another......The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much"......James 5:16
"Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened for you".........Matthew 7:7
So, I have the 3 specific areas that I am praying for my children. One area is the same for all three of them, and that is:
My Father....You know how much I love you. I praise your name and seek You daily for You to use me. Use me now, Lord!! Let my life be a living example of Jesus so that my children can see You through me. Help me to always have a Christ-like attitude with them so that their hearts will soften towards You, and they will come to You, accept You into their lives so they can truly be free and feel Your ever present joy.
As for 2 other individual areas for each of them:
My son: I pray for confidence in himself. He has been beaten down in his life, made to feel that he is not capable of accomplishing much. I pray that he see and be able to use his full potential.
I pray that he realizes that he is worthy of Your love, worthy of everyone's love, and that he be able to accept himself for who he is, not comparing himself to others.
Daughter #1: I pray for confidence in herself, also. This daughter often comes off as overly confident in order to compensate for her lack of confidence in herself. I pray that she realize that she is indeed a beautiful person, worthy of a loving relationship and stop seeking those who will berate and condemn her.
Daughter #2: Again, confidence in herself and a value of her own self, an increase in her self-esteem. Also, for this daughter, I pray for her acceptance of herself--just as she is--not needing to change herself to please other people.
These areas that I am praying for are not really the things that I nag my children about. In fact, I nag them very rarely. I am praying for changes in the way they view themselves so that they can see they are very worthy people, God's son and daughters--A Prince and Princesses of the King.
I feel that if the viewpoints they have of themselves can be changed, that is the second greatest gift I could pray about for them. They have not had it easy, not one of them--a life of turmoil, hardship, verbal and emotional abuse, seeing me verbally, emotionally and physically abused.
All of this has led them to think less of themselves than they truly are. They are wonderful children, and I love them so much.
The greatest gift that I pray for is, of course, for them to come to Jesus and fully know His love for them--breaking the chains of the past.
And on to Day 17:
My Father....You know how much I love you. I praise your name and seek You daily for You to use me. Use me now, Lord!! Let my life be a living example of Jesus so that my children can see You through me. Help me to always have a Christ-like attitude with them so that their hearts will soften towards You, and they will come to You, accept You into their lives so they can truly be free and feel Your ever present joy.
As for 2 other individual areas for each of them:
My son: I pray for confidence in himself. He has been beaten down in his life, made to feel that he is not capable of accomplishing much. I pray that he see and be able to use his full potential.
I pray that he realizes that he is worthy of Your love, worthy of everyone's love, and that he be able to accept himself for who he is, not comparing himself to others.
Daughter #1: I pray for confidence in herself, also. This daughter often comes off as overly confident in order to compensate for her lack of confidence in herself. I pray that she realize that she is indeed a beautiful person, worthy of a loving relationship and stop seeking those who will berate and condemn her.
Daughter #2: Again, confidence in herself and a value of her own self, an increase in her self-esteem. Also, for this daughter, I pray for her acceptance of herself--just as she is--not needing to change herself to please other people.
These areas that I am praying for are not really the things that I nag my children about. In fact, I nag them very rarely. I am praying for changes in the way they view themselves so that they can see they are very worthy people, God's son and daughters--A Prince and Princesses of the King.
I feel that if the viewpoints they have of themselves can be changed, that is the second greatest gift I could pray about for them. They have not had it easy, not one of them--a life of turmoil, hardship, verbal and emotional abuse, seeing me verbally, emotionally and physically abused.
All of this has led them to think less of themselves than they truly are. They are wonderful children, and I love them so much.
The greatest gift that I pray for is, of course, for them to come to Jesus and fully know His love for them--breaking the chains of the past.
And on to Day 17:
Love Promotes Intimacy
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.".......Proverbs 17:9
And the dare for this day:
Determine to guard your children's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your children, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.".......Proverbs 17:9
And the dare for this day:
Determine to guard your children's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your children, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.
Beth
