Before I finish the rest of the prayer from yesterday, I just had to add the video that we took last night of Rachel singing the anthem at the basketball game. We were so proud of her. She did such a good job. She was so nervous. But I was proud that she stepped out of her comfort zone and did it!

This is part 2 of the prayer for our kids. "pray" them over your children if you feel led.

Read Philippians 3:1-11
Dear Lord, I know it all boils down to the gift of grace through Jesus Christ, so no matter where my dear children are on the path I have reason to rejoice. It isn't about being good enough. The reason we have for joy is because of what Christ did for us,not what we've done. If any mother had reason to be confident in the flesh, it would be me. I have done everything in my power to make sure my chidren walk with the Lord. I've been a full-time, stay-at-home, overprotective, strict, consistent mom who has tried to balance that out with lots of love, deep relationship, much grace and tons of fun. But all of my efforts are worthless if my children don't know Christ personally. i put no faith in my ability as a mother to raise them in the ways of the Lord, if they are to walk with You, God, it will solely be because You, by Your Spirit, draw their hearts to Yours. I understand that You may choose to do that by allowing them to fail, or suffer, or walk away frist. Whatever the future, I choose to have faith in my children, and more importantly, in You, God to bring about resurrection life by Your mighty power!

Read Philippians 3:12-16
Father, I know that I am not perfect as a mother, but I will keep pressing on, no matter how tough it gets at times, continuing to seek You, knowing that I will only become the mother You want me to be by staying close to You. I will not give up on my children - ever. I will not look at past failures, or even accomplishments. I will keep my focus on the goal, that my children will know, love and obey You with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength.

Read Philippians 3:14-4:1
Remind me that my children learn more by my example than by my many words and lectures. When I see my children straying, convict me to examine my own life first to make sure that I am modeling obedience, submission, respect, love for Your word, and worship before them. May my example draw them to You and away from the world. As they watch my joy and peace and relationship with You, I pray that they will see the world and any friends who would try to draw them away from Your grace, as the enemies of the cross that they are. Strengthen my children to make the tough choices to stand against the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, reminding them that we really do have the choice to live eternally so our choices need to reflect that eternal perspective.

Read Philippians 4:2-5
Holy Spirit, would you please bring unity in our family where there is division. Teach my children how to communicate, resolve conflict, serve one another and work as a team - Your team. Help them to be happy, not grumblers and complainers. There is so much for which to rejoice!

Read Philippians 4:6-7
Oh Prince of Peace, teach my children to bring all of their concerns to Your throne. comfort them and help them not to be stressed and depressed and fearful, but to cast all of their cares upon You. Give them such confidence to know that You hear and answer their prayers that they go ahead and than You for the answer before they even see it or feel it. Quiet their overwhelming emotions and rest their racing minds with Your peace that doesn't even make sense when only looking at the circumstances around them.

Read Philippians 4:8-9
Please teach my children the critical truth thatit all starts with their thoughts. Every sin is first a thought and it is much easier to take a thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ than it is to rein in the flesh. Train them to replace the desires and thoughts and fears that creep into their minds with the Truth. Show them how to plant good, wholesome, lovely, honorable, pure, true, and excellent seeds of thought that will result in good fruit.

Read Philippians 4:10-13
Father, I have learned not to allow my emotions to be based on my children and the sometimes frustrating, often exhilarating task of raising them. My hope for them is in You. When they are doing well, I will praise You. When they are making wrong choices, I will trust You. You are Lord and You will give me the strength to parent through the toddler years, survive the teenage years and let go for the the remaining years.

Read Philippians 4:14-18
God, I ask that there will come a day when my children will thank me for being strict, for babying them when they were sick, for driving them all over kingdom-come, for giving up my career to raise them, and the many other sacrifices I have made out of my deep love for them. (And please don't let them go on Oprah someday and blame all of their problems on their mother!) Not that I need the praise and strokes, my payment has been the privilege of being their mother, but because I know that bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment will eat them alive. Mercy, grace and gratitude will se them free to serve their own children when they grow up.

Read Philippians 4:19-23
Lord, I know that You are all that my children need to make it in this world, and the next. I am doing my best to prepare them but ultimately, You are the only One who can give them everything they need - which is You and You alone. Now bless all the other moms who are reading this and encourage them with the truth that it is not all up to them. You love their children even more than they do and that , in the end (and the beginning) it is about Your grace not their perfection as a mom, or the imperfection of their children. Remind them to rejoice, and again I say, rejoice!

Well, I hope you have taken something away from that. I know that parts of it speak louder to me than others. Again, I got this from an e-letter from Lisa Welchel back in 2005. Glad that I saved it.....