This past Tuesday, The Classical School dismissed for the year. Tonight, we will graduate the Class of 2019. A week from today, the rest of campus will dismiss for the school year. Summer is a time of rest, relaxation, and renewal for so many of us. For the Class of 2019, this summer marks a new beginning. As we enjoy summer vacations and look forward to what lies ahead, the most important thing that we as parents can do for our children this summer is pray for them. Prayer offers an amazing opportunity for us to see God work in the lives of our children. As Christian parents, we share a privilege – the opportunity to come to God through prayer. Before my dad passed away almost 10 years ago, he told me that from the first day I was born, he prayed for me every morning before he left the house – what a wonderful gift!
Perhaps you’ve struggled with knowing how to pray for your children and for yourself. A few weeks ago I was visiting another Christian school and came across an excellent tool that they have created to share with their school parents to help guide them in prayer.
I pray that my children…
…find their IDENTITY IN CHRIST and declare the praises of God who called them out of darkness into His wonderful Light. 1 PETER 2:9
…learn to STAND FOR TRUTH, for what is noble, true, pure, lovely and admirable; avoid negative peer pressure and focus on everything that is excellent and praiseworthy. PHILIPPIANS 4:8
…use godly WISDOM IN MAKING DECISIONS from positive academic choices, to making friends, and in any situation that they face. JAMES 3:17
…above all else, GUARD THEIR HEARTS AND EYES. PROVERBS 4:23
…learn TO BE A GREAT FRIEND and love others as YOU have loved them, Lord. By that, all will know that they are Your disciples.
JOHN 13:34- 35
…express themselves using GOOD LANGUAGE AND SPEECH and allow no unwholesome talk to come out of their mouths, that it may benefit those who listen. EPHESIANS 4:29
…grow SPIRITUALLY in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 PETER 3:18
…revere Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and have BOLDNESS IN SHARING THEIR FAITH. 1 PETER 3:15
…exhibit SELF-CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE in all their activities. God, you have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power and of love of a sound mind.
2 TIMOTHY 1:7
…BECOME AN EXAMPLE OF LEADERSHIP to their peers and not let anyone despise their youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
1 TIMOTHY 4:12
…are aware of YOUR PROTECTION, Lord, and know that You will strengthen, help, and uphold them with your right hand. ISAIAH 4:10
…cast their cares onto You, Lord, and NOT BE ANXIOUS in anything, for You will always sustain them. PSALM 55:22
…have a HUNGER FOR THE WORD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. MATTHEW 5:6
…live according to God’s Word and that keeps them PURE. PSALM 119:9
…learn to DEVELOP THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, growing in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control, for against such things, there is no law. GALATIANS 5:23
…surround themselves with GODLY INFLUENCES and people who speak words of truth. May they not be proud for by pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is freedom. PROVERBS 13:10
…have STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS and do all things without grumbling and complaining. PHILIPPIANS 2:14, ROMANS 12:18
…hold on to instruction in their academics, biblical studies, and at home, so that they can prosper and EXCEL IN ALL THEIR ACADEMIC PURSUITS. PROVERBS 4:13
…may DEVELOP THEIR SPIRITUAL GIFTS and use them to glorify, You, Lord, in all they do. JAMES 1:17
…KNOW THEY ARE LOVED AND ACCEPTED and rely on the love You have for them. 1 JOHN 1:17
I pray all of these things in your powerful and precious name of Jesus. AMEN.
Prayer is one of the most essential parts of parenting, and it is my hope that this will help all of us remain focused on what is most important this summer.