Packaged Prayer Deal

       With school supplies soon in hand and sad or perhaps relieved early morning goodbyes, I have a package deal for you that come’s in the form of prayer.  

       Your prayers have the potential of shaping your children and grandchildren's future. 
       In the book of Nehemiah enemies of the Jewish people were attempting to stop the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah tells his people in 4:14, "Be not afraid of them: remember the Lord,  great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."  (AMP)  
      One way to fight for our families is through prayer; below you'll find some back to school ideas to use in praying for your children, let's get started:

Regarding School: (Pray)

• That they would follow Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's example when they refused to bow to political pressure.  They replied to the king, “We have no need to answer you in this matter.  If that is the case our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and He will deliver us from your hand," Daniel 3:16.  Pray that your children would have that type of tenacity. 
• That they would grow in stature and favor with the Lord as Samuel did.   Even though he was raised with Eli's wicked sons he refused to be influenced by them, (I Samuel 2:26.) E.g. Father, "May our children follow Samuel's example and not be influenced negatively by their peers!"
• That the Lord would protect their emotions, and that they would not be damaged.
• That they would develop friendships with those who will would influence them in a positive manner and visa versa.
• For wisdom in their extra-curricular activities.
• That they would allow the Lord to guide their decisions (even if they aren't walking with the Lord).
• Pray for protection as they go to and from school, for safety and wisdom when they leave the school grounds at lunch, and when on field trips. 
• That they would realize that when they say "yes" to questionable practices they are giving the enemy authority in their lives.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be sensitive as to what times of the day they need specific prayer and for what.  

Regarding Mental Development and Work Habits:

• Pray that they'd have the type of teachers who would enhance and embrace their learning style.
  
• That they would develop a good work ethic and study habits. 
• If there is a lack of motivation, ask the Lord to motivate them, praying against laziness and lethargy.
• Bring any learning disabilities before the Lord and pray for insight into their areas of brilliance, which no doubt they have! 

General: 

• That they would have wisdom when viewing the Internet, movies, video games etc and have the inner strength to turn off unacceptable material.
• That they would not become victims of crime or participants in crime.
• Pray for spiritual protection and safety when they participate in sleepovers and that you will have wisdom when and when not to allow it.
• That they would have wisdom as they drive in winter weather.
• That they would be protected against freak accidents whether automotive or other.
• As they baby-sit that they would have wisdom and be protected as they are out of your home.
• That they would say no to alcohol and drugs. (I’m not being legalistic here, it’s against the law.) It's never to early to pray these types of prayers.
• That their desire for the kingdom of God would be stronger than their desire what is popular in society and they'd recognize the enemy's scheme in their lives. 

       The best way to use this guide is to pray a few of these daily as no doubt it would be overwhelming to pray the entire guide in one sitting.
       My prayer for you is that as you pray for your families the Holy Spirit would give you creativity to pray into their needs.  
       What a great time in history to prepare your families spiritually through prayer!

Back To School Prayer Package Part 2

       The movie “War Room,” portrays an excellent example of the use of Spiritual Warfare in fighting for your families!  If you haven’t seen it, I’d encourage you to do so or purchase the video when it comes out. 

     The gal I went to see the movie with was telling me she has already begun preparing her “War Room” and is searching for Scriptures to post for each of her six children.  Great idea, kudos to you Linda!     

     Hey, why not start your own “War Room” and fight for your sons, daughters, grandchildren, husbands, wives, and your homes!  (Neh. 4:14)  It doesn’t have to look like the one in the movie!  Be creative.     
      Below I have listed some ideas you may want to work into your daily prayers.  While the list may appear overwhelming, try taking a few of them daily.

Spiritual Development (Pray)

• That they will develop a strong desire for the Word of God.  Encourage them to spend time with the Lord and in His Word, modeling an example of the same.  Give them a faith to return to.
• Ps. 19:11 talks about God's servant being warned:  Pray, “Father, may our children and grandchildren have a renewed sensitivity to danger and temptation and may You warn them when the enemy sets a trap in front of them.” Psalm 124:7, We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!
• That they would experience God’s grace, free from condemnation, while recognizing that one doesn't sin that grace may abound.
• That your children will be kept unto the Name of the Lord and that Jesus Christ would be of utmost importance in their lives.  That they  would develop a humble contrite heart of repentance and have a desire to share their faith.
• That they would learn at a young age to cast their cares and anxiety upon the Lord.  (You may need to pray that prayer over yourself, I certainly do at times).

 Sexual Relationships (Pray)

• That they would stay clear of pre-marital sex following Joseph’s example in Gen. 39:7-8 when Potiphar's wife looked lustfully upon Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" The good news is he refused!  If your children have been compromised in this area encourage them by letting them know our Lord is a God of grace and mercy!
• That they would have discernment to know when the opposite sex is lying to them, in order to exploit them sexually.  May they discern the truth, rather than what they are being told.  
• That relationship with the opposite sex would not distract them from their commitment to the Lord or from their school work.
• That your children's would  date only those who have a conscience of right and wrong.
• It's never too early to begin praying that your children will make the right choices in choosing their spouse.  Thanks to my daughter Julie who reminded me of this in her blog, “Dear Future Daughter-In-Law.”) Check it out at Juliepresley.com, it’s excellent, spoken by a devoted mom. 

      

                                                                                                                 

If I Had a Hammer

  After returning from nearly a month in California and Texas in March, I was greeted by a Rodent Welcoming Committee. This was due to an oversight on my part prior to leaving.
     It took a while before I was aware of their destructive work.  I bought rat poisoning (I apologize for those whom that may offend); however they were uninterested in that delicacy. I discovered later that they had chewed through a number of unopened packages of food.  Why eat rat poisoning when M & M’s, tortilla chips and Multigrain Cheerios were on the menu. 

     
     Altogether I threw out 6 packages of food, not to mention the Liz Claiborne sweater and the nests they made out of my Isotoner slippers, and of paper in the corner of my pantry.  Oh… and then there was my stylish boots the lining seemingly too hard to resist, all followed by a trail of mouse poo. Not my idea of a good time!

                            Nesting Supplies                                                                                  

      My house needed to be exterminated, but not with the price tag that comes with bringing in a professional. I spoke to friends who suggested placing peppermint oil in strategic places.  I Googled controlling mice and found a website advertising Ultrasonic Electromagnetic & Ionic Pest Repellents, a device that gets plugged into the wall, a more humane way of dealing with the problem, pricey but I ordered three of them.  Between the peppermint, the wall units and removing all food temptation they moved on to better places.

www.pestnoproblem.ca

Free advertising:)

  We all know the enemy is out to destroy and while he’s not into snack foods or making nests in slippers or chewing the lining of boots, he chews away at us attempting to destroy areas in our lives, and as you well know our children are particularly vulnerable. 
     So how do we act as the exterminator? Obviously peppermint and electrical wall units aren’t effective; however a hint is given in Nehemiah 4:14, “Don’t be afraid of them your enemies. Remember the Lord Who is great and awesome and FIGHT FOR YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS!” The Amplified translation includes brethren, wives and homes.  One way we can fight for our families and homes is through prayer.
     Some of you are too young to remember the folk group from the 60’s Peter Paul and Mary, shown below. One of their hits was the song, “If I had a hammer.” Perhaps you’ve heard your parents or someone singing it.  For those who remember it, no doubt you join me in the 60’s to 70’s age group, heavy on the late 60’s.


If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening, All over this land;
I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out a warning; I'd hammer out love between,My brothers and my sisters, All over this land. 

  As you know, it’s easy to get caught up in prayers for our children and loved ones such as, “Bless them and protect them, watch over them” etc., but how about going a step further and using prayer as a hammer?  
     What does a hammer have to do with fighting for your children? If you’re familiar with the story of Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city you’ll recall there was a whole lot of hammering going on.  In Nehemiah 4:17 the builders were instructed to hold their hammer in one hand and their weapon in the other to protect against the enemy. 

  We read in verse 15 that the Lord frustrated the plans of the enemy!  You can consistently fight for your sons and your daughters through prayer as you read through Scripture and invite the Holy Spirit to give you creative prayer ideas; the Word becomes a prayer book of sorts and as a result a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is developed.
     Here’s a prayer idea, recall with me the story of Samuel, “The sons of Eli were base and worthless; they did not know or regard the Lord.” I Sam. 2:12.  “Samuel grew and was in favor both with the Lord and with men.” I Sam. 2:26. Check out two interesting details found in this story:

• Samuel grew up with Eli’s corrupt sons.
• Samuel did not allow Eli’s evil sons to influence him.  

     Hey does that give you some prayer ideas?  “Father, just as you kept Samuel as he was raised with Eli’s evil sons, I ask that you keep our children (name them) from the wickedness they face daily.  When they are at their friends’ houses, may they be like Samuel, steadfast in faith rather than allow any negativity to influence them. Please bring into their lives good people who will have a constructive effect on them.  May they not give in to peer pressure and may they not be influenced by what is popular in our culture, or what is popular in our Christian society which is contrary to Your Word! May they grow up in Your favor and live consistently for You as Samuel did, in Jesus Name.”  

     Perhaps the most interesting detail in this story is Samuel had a praying mother and no doubt she was not ignorant of his surroundings, I Samuel 2:1-10.

     You can also pray that our Lord will frustrate the enemy’s plans in their lives, just as He did in Nehemiah 4:15.  And as you pray ask the Holy Spirit to reveal particular areas they are struggling in.
     What I’ve presented is simply an idea of how to pray, but pray according to your personality and you’ll be surprized at the creative ideas the Holy Spirit will bring that go far beyond the above.
     Three days ago I found yet another vacated nest in a gym bag hanging in my closet; all together my total losses reached approximately $250.   Hmm….I wonder how much loss the enemy wracks up in our lives and the lives of our children that we are unaware of.  Certainly a price tag cannot be attached to his destruction; however we can get out our hammers and fight for our sons daughters wives husbands and homes through creative prayer from Scripture. 

Let's Hammer out danger and hammer out a warning!
"Does not my Word burn like fire?”says the Lord.  "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?  Jeremiah 23:29     

Hiding Out!

When I was at my daughter’s in Texas in March of 2014, the thought came to me to write in the blog she set up for me a number of years ago entitled “Bull’s Eye, Prayers that Hit the Target.” The purpose of the blog is to focus mainly on ideas from Scripture to pray over your children grandchildren and into the generations and whomever you may be praying for.

Some of you have gone to the site only to find it devoid of anything other than a brief history and picture of me in a “Dallas Cowboy’s” tee shirt, taken while at the Thanksgiving game my children surprized me with for my birthday in 2011.  Incidentally I was a “Cowboy’s” fan for one day only; go Hawks go Broncos, Super Bowl 48 was brutal to watch and even more brutal was watching the last five minutes of Super Bowl 49! 

After contracting a heart virus a number of years ago, (the only thing my medical team could come up with,) I’ve been left with a weak heart requiring an ICD and later a lung handicap bringing unexpected retirement from the pastoral ministry in 2012, thus limiting me physically and emotionally.   

Had you asked me years ago if my identity were wrapped up in what I did, I would have been quick to say “No”, a statement I later found to be untrue.   So for this “Type A” personality who has always been strong physically and what I’d like to think spiritually, weakness was not part of the agenda…….and truthfully speaking, I have not done well living with my limitations.  

I’ve found it difficult to be weak around the people who knew me as strong thus my tendency has been to withdraw and hide due to weakness.   I’m sure there are those of you who have gone through the same or more complex circumstances that can relate and perhaps you’ve done better with it than I.

Easter morning our pastor Mike Penninga shared a challenging message and presented the question “What does the Resurrection allow you to leave behind?”  At the end of the service he invited us forward to write on white clothes, symbolic of the grave clothes if I remember correctly, one thing that we could leave behind at the cross.   

Earlier during the worship  service the thought came to me, “Quit hiding” and I perceived it to be from the Lord, however couldn’t it been said more dramatically like, Dotti, “ Come out of hiding, “I have a great work for you to do,” but no just the simple phrase, “Quit hiding”.

While feeling the urge to answer the invitation I found it difficult to put one foot in front of the other, chalk it up to pride.  I wrestled with the thought thinking, “How about we just do this on our own Lord it would be much more comfortable” but then found myself in the isle walking forward, pride killed at least on this occasion.  I had no doubt that I was to write “Leave behind my need to hide due to weakness,” a revelation of sorts.

Due to this need to hide, I haven’t bothered to post or accept friends on FB for that matter or write in my blog, but with Easter mornings' inspiration, that changed and I even accepted a bunch of friends, yes really! 
     Rather than despise my weakness hopefully I’ll begin to walk in Paul’s famous verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My strength is made perfect in weakness, therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Check back in a week or two, also check out the introduction in my profile, it will express more about my “Coming out.”