Week Ten: Men of Influence

     I can't believe how surprised I can still be at something that pops up on TV, be it a commercial, "family show", or even a cooking show, things that would totally shock our grandparents! The enemy is working hard at mainstreaming every type of depravity and immorality that exists. There is even a series based on a professional prostitute during prime time, to name one example. It is the desensitizing of Americans (and all people) that the enemy is after. If nothing shocks us anymore, how can it offend us? And if we're not offended, then we're actually becoming compliant. The word says, "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Cor. 7:1. I don't believe in works or trying to make ourselves holy to earn our place before God. But I do see in the word that if we love Him, we will keep His commands, we will keep ourselves from evil, we will be in the world but not of the world. And I love the fruit of a holy lifestyle; the peace, the joy, the favor that comes when we separate ourselves unto our Saviour. "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21
     SO, if we, as mature Christians, are faced with all these challenges everywhere we turn, how much harder is it for our young men? No recent generation has ever faced this kind of onslaught of darkness. I have to believe that as we pray and as we help guide our boys into a life of integrity and purity, they will reap a GREAT reward, a rich harvest. Most of all, instead of being influenced by all the world offers, we can pray THEY will be men of influence and influence their friends, families, and even their part of the world, wherever it may lead.

Lord, we come to you with hearts full of thanksgiving for the promises you have for our children. They are a heritage from you and we do not take them for granted! Help us to see them as you do, in faith, as perfect and complete through your blood, shed for us. We ask today, again, that you'd keep our sons from evil, that you'd guard their hearts and mind from the onslaught of sin and compromise being thrown at them. Give us wisdom as parents, as how to allow them recreation and activities without compromising your word. It is a daily battle and we need your discernment, wisdom and strength to keep up the fight. Thank you that there are godly men among us, leading the battle for our sons minds and awaken the men/fathers who do not see the battle. We ask for spiritual eyes to see; for us as mothers and for the fathers, things that might be subtle influences, cloaked in the appearance of righteousness. Most of all, give our sons these spiritual eyes with discernment and the boldness to live out their convictions. For those sons who have not made you their Lord, we pray you would continue to draw them into your light and love and that serving you would become a joyful choice.

These scriptures speak of the blessings of holiness. Before our young men can become men of influence, they must know how to stand against the influences of our culture. We speak these scriptures over our sons as promises for them!

"Therefore, preparing (their)your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children,  do not be  (they will not be!) conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-17

"But (they are!)you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

One of my favorites:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, (let them!) think about these things." Phill. 4:8

"That (they) you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Phill. 2:15

"Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way." Psalm 85:13

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness."1 Thess. 4:7

A promise for us!:
"And your offspring shall be known among the nations, and their

descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed." Isaiah 61:9

We thank you, Lord Jesus, that as we confess these scriptures over our precious sons, that they would become truth and you would bind that truth around their necks. That YOU would train up our sons to not just abide in this world but to be leaders, world changers and men of influence wherever their paths would lead! We believe and confess this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen and amen!!!

(Sorry about all the spacing, lots of challenges copying verses today!)

Week Eight: Gifts and Talents

I am SO excited about the fruit I have been seeing since keeping this blog and praying steadfastly in faith for my son's future. I can accept that he is still a teenager and is going to do goofy things, but it is what I see in his heart that keeps me pressing in. And I believe that is true for all those who are in agreement!
Often the work the Lord is doing in our sons (or anyone in our family we're praying for) begins with us, softening our hearts, steering us away from legalism into grace, finding balance in our discipline, growing in wisdom, etc. I am thankful for that, because the more I am being changed, the better equipped I am to parent my son in LOVE and the more fruit will come.

In the past few weeks, I have seen Jordan start to focus on some of the things he'd like to do with his future. He's tried different sport and activities in the past, but lately, not only has he found two things he'd like to try, opportunities to try them out affordably have "suddenly" appeared. We have to be patient with the process of discovery, but in the end, I believe the Lord will reveal their giftings and talents which will work with the purpose He has designed them for. That's our prayer for today!

A little different than usual, I'm just posting some scriptures and a few thoughts to let you pray in the way that personalizes it for you and your son or other young men you are praying for.

As always, just give thanks! The Lord loves worship and thanksgiving before anything else.

Lord our prayer today is specifically that you would direct our sons footsteps into their calling, their giftings and purpose. Let your will be done!
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Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way: but the LORD directs his steps."

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

1 Timothy 1: 6-7 “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Proverbs 18:16 "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

Ultimately Lord, we ask that in everything they, would trust in you, and grow in you and become ALL that you've called them to be....

Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make your paths straight.

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Psalm 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
 
With faith and thanksgiving, we let ALL our requests be made known to you. Thank you for the glorious, godly futures our sons are walking into!!
 
Amen and Amen!


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Week Seven: A Heart for Family

So much to pray for today, this day after the election. But our young people are key to what comes next. In four more years, our sons will be voting. In the years after that, they will graduate college and start their own lives. What kind of lives will they be starting? Will they be a voice in our country? Will they have values that can stand up against an ever increasing moral decline? Will they be true to their God, their wives, their families and fight for them no matter the cost?

Family is really the key. As we continue to show our sons the importance of family, of working together, playing together, praying together, going through good times and hard times as a unit, we really are preparing our sons in the best way possible for life ahead. God's design for families is so perfect. It's no wonder the family is so under attack!

Once again, we go to the Lord in prayer.

Matthew 7:7 ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Gracious, holy, loving God. Thank you for your sovereignty in our lives and in our land. We look to you and trust in you for the path ahead in our country and in our homes. We do not fear, for your perfect love casts out all fear. We thank you for the privilege it is to pray and seek your face.

We thank you again for the gift of our sons. We thank you for the work you are doing in their hearts. We thank you for the future you have prepared for them. And we thank you for your continued protection in their lives.

We ask today that you would continue your work in their hearts. That you would continue softening their hearts towards the things of God and turn their hearts away from desires that are not of you. We pray you would continue to open the eyes of their understanding. That even through this election they would discern what is of you and what is not and desire truth and righteousness.

We pray their hearts would be drawn to their families even during this time of growing independence. Help them to know they can be individuals but also a vital part of a family. Help them to see the love that surrounds them, the safety that keeps them and the purpose they have in our families. And let that be embedded into their hearts so they will desire the same thing for their own lives, to raise a strong, loving, committed family. Where there is division, bring unity, where there is discord, bring peace. Continue to heal and strengthen our family relationships, between siblings and spouses and parent/child. Show us, Holy Spirit how to make and keep our homes peaceful, safe, loving places for our families. Continue to show our husbands how to lead. Help us to remember to pray over our homes regularly that your peace would reign and rule through all circumstances and situations that arise. Help our sons to be respectful, to be thankful, to contribute to the family and not just make demands. Give them servants hearts.

And now we speak your word over them in faith, Lord. We call our sons blessed, faithful, honorable, courageous, pure and righteous. They are sons of the Most High God and have a mighty destiny in You that WILL BE fulfilled. They will know your word and walk in the power of it. No weapon formed against them will prosper, and their enemies will be defeated under your mighty hand.
In all this we believe and confess in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!


Some verses for today:
May he (God) turn our (their) hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands.....
1 Kings 8:58
Turn my (their) heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:36
(Help them to) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. (To)Honor one another above your(them)selves. Romans 12:10
(Help them to)Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility (let them)consider others better than your(them)selves. Phill. 2:3
(Teach them to)Give everyone what you owe : If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7

Blessings to you as you go forth in victorious prayer today!
Sharon



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