Praying for our students through the year - day 9 (I) Initiative

Initiative - the ability to assess and initiate things independently; the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do. Do we exhibit initiative in our daily lives? If not how can we teach it to our children and pray for them to develop it? How or what can we do to develop a better attitude about taking the lead when God directs us? How can we function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress? Read Ephesians 5:8-14. We are called to walk as children of the Light, to discern what is pleasing, to take no part in unfruitful works of darkness. What are we busy doing? We should each press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We each are called to do something as long as we have breath in us. Pray that we each have the initiative to carry it out until the day of our departure from this temporary home. Let us encourage one another to do good deeds and meet together for encouragement and uplifting, not to tear each other down. Pray we and our children will recognize and do what needs to be done without being asked! We cannot do what we are called to do if we do not have the initiative to GET UP and START moving! Opposites of this trait are laziness, letting others lead even when we are capable or called, or refusing to put forth our best effort. Pray these negative traits will be absent for your child's life and your own. We must be motivated to go after the life in which Christ has called each of our families! Do you have the initiative to pick up the torch and lead the way, getting others to follow you, as you follow Christ? Will you make excuses, letting others follow you and your family into perhaps laziness, the world, sin, or excuses? Remember we are called to be a Light to this world; in it but not of it!

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. I John 3:18

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:24

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Points to Ponder:

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1. Do you need someone else to motivate you or do you set your own goals?
2. Can you tell when changes are good or bad when things are changing around you? Do you stand for God's Word when these changes occur?
3. In what situations did you fail to be motivated when you should have been? Why?
4. What areas of your life would improve if you had more Godly initiative?

Make sure your motivation is Christ-centered and pray for your family to have more initiative to help do what He had called each of you to accomplish for His Glory! He will empower you to accomplish what He has called you to do! Do you want your family to make their mark in this fleeting world or will you take the initiative to pray for your family to make a mark for His Eternal Kingdom?