For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13–14 NIV)
Today my firstborn celebrates his “Golden Birthday” – his 21st birthday on the 21st. It’s amazing how in certain moments of parenting you can look at your child and see these glimpses of a multitude of memories from their growing up years. Now as an official young adult I can say he is “launched” from his childhood home, although, thankfully, still deeply connected. Tonight we will have him and his wife over for his favorite meal and fellowship with brothers and grandmother.
I can’t write out all the memories or pictures I have in my heart – I can only “ponder,” as Mary did after the shepherds spread the news of the birth of Baby Jesus. But I can pray. And, perhaps, this prayer is an inspiration you can use to intercede for your physical or spiritual children.
Sustaining God,
This is the day you have made; we rejoice in your perfect creation, your perfect timing, and your perfect protection, provision, and providence. We thank you for the wonderful gift of children—both physical and spiritual. We thank you that each one was created by you, knit together in their mother’s womb, and fearfully and wonderfully made. We thank you for each of these precious gifts that come down from you, their good Father, and for the plans you have for their lives.
Jehovah Jireh, we pray today that you would provide for these young ones everything they need. From physical necessities like shelter, food, and clothing, to the essentials of good parenting, quality education, and spiritual guidance, we ask you to meet all these needs. We pray that our children will form strong friendships with peers and other godly families. We ask for your divine guidance for adults who are helping children with learning challenges, addictions, or physical, mental, or emotional struggles. We pray that church families would understand your calling to pour into these young people, knowing they are the future of the Church, and that the children would have the grace and willingness—even at a young age—to listen to the wisdom of the elders around them.
We pray that their lives will be filled to the full with your love, joy, peace, and guidance, and that the Holy Spirit will grow and develop the fruits of the Spirit within them. Even into adulthood and old age, carry them, sustain them, show them your salvation, and satisfy them with long life lived in your presence. Bless them and keep them; make your face shine on them and be gracious to them. Turn your face toward them and give them peace, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. (James 1:17 NIV)
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19 NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction… They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. (Proverbs 1:8–9 NIV)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:16 NIV)
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24–26 NIV)