[Please join me in praying for children, families, and our future on Thursdays this year.]
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)
Let us pray and declare the following over our families today:
- God has poured out his Spirit on people and we will prophecy, dream dreams, and see visions. (Joel 2:28-29)
- We will not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)
- We will say of the Lord: You are our refuge and my fortress, our God in whom we trust. (Psalm 91:2)
- God’s goodness and love follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
- Do not withhold your mercy from us, Lord. May your love and faithfulness always protect us. (Psalm 40:11)
- The Lord is abounding in unfailing love for us that endures forever. (Psalms)
God,
You are abounding in unfailing love for us; your LOVE endures forever. Thank you for showing us what abundant love looks like for your children. Help us as parents, other relatives, and community members to love children with the strength, righteousness, courage, faithfulness and joy that you do. You are our refuge and fortress, the God in whom we trust. Thank you that you do not withhold your mercy from us, and that your goodness and love follow us all the days of our lives. Your love and faithfulness protect us, and you invite us to live with you forever. May we pour out that goodness and mercy on those around us, especially children. Help us to help them not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Help them to dream the dreams, see the visions, and prophecy the words of comfort, encouragement, and building up you have for them. Pour out your Spirit on these precious young ones and on all who parent and mentor them, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
“But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them].” (1 Corinthians 14:3 AMP)
“We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.” (1 John 5:2 NLT)