A few days ago we celebrated the birth of a baby who would transform our lives. As we gave gifts, I hope we kept at the forefront of our minds the most precious gift that we will ever receive. I can’t imagine being a part of the events that unfolded so long ago. When I really want to think back to the magnitude of that special time, I like to listen to these two songs...
Mary Did You Know? I've never heard this version by CeeLo Green. I love it!
A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill
There is nothing more precious than the birth of a new baby. Last summer, God gave me such a deep desire to pray for new little lives that are born unto us. The urge to write a specific prayer was conceived from a new-found understanding of a very popular bible verse.
Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to, “Train a child up in the way they should go and they will not depart from it.” My understanding of this verse seemed adequate enough in my earliest years as a Christian. I thought it had something to do with disciplining children; if we teach them to behave when they are young, they will grow up to conduct themselves well.
As I matured in my faith, I thought that the verse implied the importance of immersing our children in the knowledge that Jesus is real so that they would always seek to serve and honor Him. The latter view is closer to what I interpret that verse to mean these days but my perception of it has been fine tuned and sharpened since I read, Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado. Never before, has the content of a book penetrated my innermost thoughts the way that one does.
I found this version of the that famous bible verse at http://www.biblegateway.com/ and it clarifies my thinking even more...
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Six new little lives, and many others I’m sure, have blessed people in my hometown since August of this year. These are the families I know and love: Ross & Alison: Luke & Harper, Caleb & Ashley: Elaina, Matt & Amber: Gavin, Jake & Karen: Stella, and Dan & Michelle: McKinley. I dedicate this post to these families, but I speak forth this prayer in honor of all babies uniquely created by the grace of our Father.
A Baby’s Blessing
Heavenly Father, I thank for new little lives.
All babies are hand created and hand selected by You to serve a divine purpose here on this earth.
You form each and every child with certain unique gifts.
I pray that the caregivers will be keen observers of these emerging lives. Adults need to take note of each child’s “gifts” so that they can be nurtured towards their individual bent.
This would allow the child to grow and mature into their “sweet spot”; the place where our God given interests, abilities, and talents intersect. Our sweet spot...there’s no better place to dwell during our brief existence here.
First, it brings glory and honor to You, Father.
Second, it leads the lost, hurting, and dying to You so that they can be saved.
Finally, there is no greater joy for us than to be fulfilling Your will for our lives.
I am expecting, believing, and speaking forth an abundance of peace, protection, provision, and prosperity for these children, according to Your riches and glory, not what we think we know as valuable in this world. Your provision is so much greater than what we could ever ask, hope, or pray for. Let Your favor surround them and their parents like a shield.
In the name of Jesus, I thank you Father that You’ve heard this prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment