Praying for our students through the year - day 19 (S) Self-Control

Today we are praying for Self-control for our children! In order to have self-control we must have

self-discipline; the power or ability to control our thoughts, actions, feelings and desires with the intention of improving self. Self-control is restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. Self-control is self-discipline in action.

Galatians 5:22-23 says “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Self-control comes from the Holy Spirit living in us. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”. 

It is hard without the help of the Holy Spirit to keep our keep our emotions in check. It can be difficult to not lose our temper or to spout off at the mouth. It can be hard to not go too far in relationships and to save ourselves for marriage. It can be difficult to not overeat or be a slob. It is hard to make it a priority to spend quality time in God’s Word, or attend church faithfully to worship and share with others…however, all of these things are possible when we let the Holy Spirit control our thoughts, words and actions. With His help, self-control is obtainable. Teach your children to talk to God; help them learn to tell God what areas they are struggling with and how to look in His Word for answers to help them overcome. He will guide us when we sincerely ask Him. Pray your children will learn self-control in their life. Pray they will learn to control whatever battle rages inside of them. Pray they will have strength to stand strong and lean on God so that their emotions, impulses and desires don't run out of control. Pray they will be a positive example of God's Love to everyone around them. Pray they will learn to think before they speak or act. Teach them to internally reflect and ponder these questions before they take action:  "Is what I am about to do or say pleasing to God? Is it helpful or hurtful to others and to my testimony"? Encourage them to live out loud for Christ!

Praying for our students through the year - day 18 (R) Respect

Today I am praying for my sons to respect others, (not just my sons but my whole family). Respect is regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. The apostle Peter tells us we should show respect to everyone. (1 Peter 2:17) ...this includes God, family, friends, and those in authority over us. Pray your kids learn to be respectful to others. Pray they will realize all people were created in the image of God and worthy of respect and love. Even when others do not believe in Christ, we should still love them in hopes that they may come to a salvation knowledge of Him. Christ loved all people enough to die for them; we should treat them in a decent manner. The Bible tells us to love God most and that He needs to be the first priority in our life, then we should love our neighbors as ourselves. To truly love our neighbors we must show them respect. Pray your family to have enough self-discipline to show proper respect to all people. Model respect in front of your children - they are watching, listening and learning how to interact from your example. If we argue, complain, have negative comments, or show a lack of respect toward others, then our children will learn to do the same. On the other hand, if we model the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) then they will learn to pattern these characteristics from the Holy Spirit also. Pray for your family to grow more respectful today!

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." Romans 12:10

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-38

Praying for our students through the year - day 17 (Q) Quiet

Ecclesiastes 3:7b

Today we are praying that our children, and ourselves, learn the virtue of being quiet. We need to learn to hold our tongues. The tongue has incredible power, it can build up or destroy in a matter of seconds. It can bring blessings or curse others, praises or words of hate. Colossians 4:6 tells us to let our words be seasoned with salt and full of grace. In Ephesians we are told to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, to only say things that are beneficial. Have you ever heard if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?...well sometimes it may be better for us to be QUIET! Pray your child learns when it is best to just be quiet. Pray they learn to be quiet in class, church, or during other times of instruction. Also pray they learn how to be quiet before their Heavenly Father. Lord, teach us to hold our tongues. I once read a book called "When to Speak Up, and When to Shut Up" - some things to ponder before speaking are: 

1. Does the situation directly involve me?
2. Do I have something valuable and purposeful to contribute by speaking?
3. What will happen by my speaking or being silent? 
4. What will the consequences be (good and bad) if I choose to speak or be silent?
5. What are the motives of my speaking or being silent?

"There will be times when we speak out instead of remaining silent and there will be times we are silent when a voice should come forth." ---Michael D. Sedler

We all probably have past regrets of when we spoke wrong words or didn't speak when we knew we should have. Pray that your past choices of how your used your tongue will guide you in how you chose to speak or be quiet in the future. We can all learn from past mistakes. We want our words to glorify God, bring healing, salvation, and honor to God - not self. We want them to promote more holy communication and learning, not destruction. On the other hand, we want our QUIET to bring personal time with the Lord, learning and time for Him to speak to us. We do not want our lack of words to reflect pouting or anger. It can be difficult to discern when to speak and when to be silent, that is why praying for discernment (day 4) must never stop. Teach your child the value of quietness and meditation. Teach them how to be quiet before the Lord. Show them how to read God's Word and how to meditate on it. When we meditate on God's Word we are quite before The Word, deliberately focusing on it, reflecting on the meaning and context, studying the passage to learn from it - not just reading it - we cannot do this is we are reading it and moving on with out stopping and being quite before the Lord. God's voice is steady and unwavering, yet we must quiet our voices and soul to be able to hear it. Pray your children will learn to be quiet daily before the Lord and allow Him to speak to their soul. Pray He will quiet their fears, anxiety, and self-doubt of their tempted bodies, and help them realized they are made for more! Once we learn to be QUIET before the Lord then we will be able to SHOUT his mercy, grace, love and forgiveness to the world around us from the rooftops!

"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back." Proverbs 29:11 

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray." Job 6:24

"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23 

"What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops." Matthew 10:27 ESV

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." Mark 1:35 ESV - Jesus even got away by himself to be quiet and alone with God. He is our perfect example of how to live. Spending quiet time alone with Him keeps us focused and helps us not get overwhelmed or burned out. Make sure you are quiet before the Lord today!

Praying for our students through the year - day 16 (P) Perseverance

Today pray for your child to have perseverance - doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. It is pressing on even when it is hard or when others oppose you. As our world drifts further into sin, Christians must have perseverance. Pray for your child to learn to never give up, no matter what obstacles they face; even if they are persecuted for their believe in Christ. As believers, we have power and strength from the Holy Spirit; during hard times He will help us press on. We need to pray for perseverance, for understanding of God's Word, and to not be led away by false teachers or temptations that try to pull us away from our faith. Pray your child will stand for what they believe and stay strong when persecuted. Pray they will boldly witness to others and share their faith. Pray they will lean on the strength of the Holy Spirit when tempted or persecuted and be open enough to come talk to you, as their parents, about their problems.  Pray they will persevere in this dark world around them and realize this is just their temporary home. 

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5 NKJV

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Praying for our students through the year - day 15 (O) Obedient

Today pray for your child to be obedient. Being obedient is being submissive to authority; yielding to commands, performing what is required, or abstaining from what is forbidden. 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV

Obedience is commanded by God. Disobedience is a sin because it disregards the standards set by our Holy God. Anything less than FULL and COMPLETE obedience is a sin. Pray that your children will learn to not only listen, but to obey. James tells us in 1:22 to be doers of the word, not only hearers. As parents, we need to require obedience out of our children. This is not only a way for our children to show respect to parents, those in authority, to elders, and others, but also a command. Our love for Christ should be a great motivator for us to be obedient. Christ was obedient even unto death (Philippians 2:8). Pray your child will be diligent in following instructions: the instructions of their teachers, parents, those in authority, and most of all Christ. Pray your children will see an example of you passionately obeying and following God. Pray that your example will passionately inspire them to seek His Will and direction for their lives wholeheartedly. Pray your children will not do the right thing just because they have to, but because they truly desire to please God. Pray they will hide God's Word in their hearts so they will know what Truth is and what to believe and obey. Pray they will be taught Truth in all things and not lured away by this world. Pray they will obey the 1st time and not suffer the consequences of a life on detour because of disobedience. We do not want our child to be like Jonah and run the other way when God calls them to a difficult task, so teach them while they are young to be obedient in all things. 

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 

Colossians 3:20

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." Deuteronomy 6:6-8

Praying for our students through the year - day 14 (N) Neighbors

Today pray that your child will learn to understand who their biblical neighbors are. Pray they will understand their neighbors are everyone around them, including their enemies. Pray they will learn how to respect and treat others in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Pray they will learn to develop a self-sacrificing love. Pray they will learn to help others in need. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a great example of loving your neighbor in Luke 10:25-37. Pray your child will grow in a deeper understanding of Christ so that they may see and understand the greatest example of loving others. May we all be guilty of offering others help, comforting others, binding others wounds, visiting or caring for the sick and frail, and loving others with Christ-like love. 

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Mark 12:31 ESV

Praying for our students through the year - day 13 (M) Maturity

Will you join me in praying for maturity today?

1 Corinthians 14:20 says "Brothers, do not be children in your thinking...but in your thinking be mature."

Christian Maturity is something that develops with time. It is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus as their Savior. The Apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process in Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own…But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In order for Christian maturity to develop in our life, we must make a choice to read and meditate on God's Word, allow God to renew our mind, and then be obedient to what we learn.

Romans 12:1-2 says, "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.” 

As we mature, we should learn to walk obediently with God. Maturity is making a choice to live by God’s ways instead of the world’s ways. Pray your student will develop christian maturity in their life. We should never stop growing; we need to keep learning and growing in our faith until the day the Lord calls us home.  Progressive sanctification is what gradually separates Christ's followers from the world and makes us more and more like Him. Pray this maturity will happen in your child's life.  Pray they will break free from the power and love of sin. Pray that your child will step by step, day by day, intentionally choose the right path. It won’t always be easy, so encourage them. They will have growing pains, but reaching maturity is worth the battle. Pray you will see evidence of their maturity by seeing them apply God's Word in everyday circumstances in their life. Pray your student does not stay in the same place in their relationship with God as where they were when they first got saved. If your child hasn't come to realize they need a personal relationship with Christ and that He is our Redeemer and Savior, pray they will mature to understand this soon. Pray your child will fall in love with God’s Word and want to read, meditate, and memorize it so that they can apply it to their life. Pray your child will put away childish behavior and mature into the person God has called them to be. Pray they will never stop growing!

Maturity Growth Markers: 

We will always have room for improvement, but the more time you spend studying God’s Word, the more you will want to do it. So let me ask you some maturity/spiritual growth questions. 

1. Is reading your Bible a “want to” or a “have to” decision? Do you enjoy God's Word?
2. How often do you pray? Do you enjoy talking to your Heavenly Father?
3. Do you ever read your Bible besides when studying for Sunday School or church? 
4. Do you study your Sunday School lesson? 
5. Do you pay attention in church and try to learn or are you busy on your phone, clipping your fingernails, or sleeping? Do you try to find jobs to serve instead of having to sit in service and be fed?
6. Do you have a desire to serve God and help others grow and deepen their understanding?

Take time to honestly evaluate your Christian Maturity.  Are you still milk fed like a baby or are your growing? Spiritual maturity should be a priority for us. 

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). 

As a believer, we are not to always be milk-fed. Instead, we are called to grow and chew on the "meat" of God's Word.