Thursday 9/10/09

When my children throw a pity-party for themselves, help them stop! Open their eyes to the immediate needs of others around them and let them find ways to help, prayers to pray and, above all … offer unconditional love. Psalms 25:16

I pray my children recognize that their resources are all from You. May they seek Your will and then believe You. I’m quite sure You are asking them to do far more than they believe they are capable of achieving… and I am even more certain the resources You have given them are far greater…

Give my children the drive to know You intimately, then help them understand it won’t happen overnight. Let my children witness me taking the time and effort to become deeply acquainted with You so that they will have the faith to pursue a relationship with You that is so close that you will walk together…

Build strong character in my children by teaching them the importance of self discipline. Their greatest victories will be their internal ones. They will set their standards high by following the example of the spiritual strength and character needed to accomplish great things for You. Pr 16:32, Mt 16:24

Stop my children from praying for show! Don’t let them become like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the churches and street corners so they can be seen by men… for it they do their reward will come from men and not from You. Mt 6:5

Let my children be grateful. Teach them the ‘reinforcement principle’ … they get more of what they acknowledge … so that they begin to routinely thank the ones they love for even the smallest favor. They already practice common courtesy when they are in public, thanking coaches, the lunch lady, the checkout clerks … let…