Praying through Proverbs
Updated: Nov 15, 2019
Week 1 Proverbs 1
SUNDAY
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
As we begin praying through the Book of Proverbs, O Lord, we pray that our children will have more than just an awareness of the facts but a comprehension of their meanings and the inter-relationships of facts. Give them open hearts to receive, retain and use Your instruction in their daily lives. Give them ingenuity in using the Truth effectively in their own lives, and in dealing with others.
MONDAY
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
Father, as we teach our children, we pray they will be diligent to present themselves “approved to You as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” We pray they will be increasing in learning - that they may know more and know it better, more clearly and distinctly, and know better how to make use of it. Guide their understanding with spiritual insight into all areas of thought. Teach them to evaluate everything they are learning through the lens of Truth - Your Word - and never be ashamed of Your Word “for it is Your power for salvation to everyone who believes.”
TUESDAY
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Father, may the heart of our homeschool be the reverential and worshipful fear of You. May our children know that the beginning, the starting point, the essence and foundation of knowledge begins by bowing before You as both Creator and Savior. O LORD, direct and enliven our children’s pursuits of true knowledge. May they be careful in every thing to please You and fearful of offending You in any thing. May they carefully choose their closest friends - those who adore Godly wisdom and instruction; having a desire of Your favor, and a dread of displeasing You.
WEDNESDAY
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
and forsake not your mother's teaching,
9 for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
Father, we pray that our instruction will be guided by Your Word so that our children will have a solid Biblical foundation. And as they grow, may they build on that foundation with those ideas which are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. May they welcome Truth from Your Word and embrace it with their whole heart, soul, and mind. Give them ears to hear and eyes to see the great value of our instruction and teaching. May they not neglect it, nor reject it, but wear it in such a way that others will be drawn to it.
THURSDAY
10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
15 my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
O LORD, You know we are raising our children in a very sensual and enticing culture. We pray for them not to be drawn into sin, but rather to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach as they live the midst of this crooked and perverse generation. And if they are enticed by smooth sounding words, bring to their minds the Truth of Your Word which they have been taught for light in order to return to the true path of life. We pray they will fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith.
FRIDAY
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
O LORD, there is a lot of noise in the streets today - false ideas coming from every direction surrounding our children with persuasive arguments. We pray that our children will not miss the voice of Wisdom in the midst of all the noises. Give them ears to hear and block out all the false noises. Jesus, You are voice of Wisdom, for in You are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and You are the centre of all divine revelation, not only the essential Wisdom, but the eternal Word, by whom God speaks to us. May our children hear, listen, and learn from You. We pray all our children will be taught by You, O LORD.
SATURDAY
23 If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
33 whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
Father, when our children are in the midst of a crowd which is going the wrong way, please call out to them. We pray they will hear You calling their name. And then by the power of Your Spirit who is at work within them, they would turn to Your voice and live. You know our natural tendencies are to wander “off road”. We are powerless to change ourselves. Even when we want to we don’t. We can’t. Thank You for the promise that You are at work within us both to will and to do according to Your good pleasure. May our children come to You, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Week 2 Proverbs 2
SUNDAY
My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
There are so many things seeking the attention of our children’s hearts. Father, we pray our sons and daughters will read Your Word daily, receive and welcome it with all readiness of mind. May they be laying it up - storing it safely in their hearts and treasuring it as a precious possession. May they continue turning it over and over in their minds throughout the day.
MONDAY
3 yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
We pray for our children to cry out, as new-born babes, desiring and longing after the pure spiritual milk, that by it they may grow up into salvation. We pray they will never be hesitant to speak out the Truth of Your Word. May they be intentional in seeking it, preferring it, laboring for it and yielding their lives to it. Your promise is that if they will do this, then they will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Our greatest concern for our children is that they know You, and to evidence it by loving You.
TUESDAY
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
You, LORD, have blessed the world with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. You explain the deep things, those things hidden from the natural man, but to the spiritual man You have given the mind of Christ. We ask that You would open the hearts, souls, and minds of our children to wisdom. You said that if any one lacks wisdom that we were to ask You and You would give it. Thank You for providing these promises. You are our protection even in times when we are in danger because of what we believe; and You preserve us because You are faithful.
WEDNESDAY
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
10 for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Because we are living in a time of great confusion about justice and equity, Thank You Lord, for true Wisdom to guide us in right thinking. We pray that You Word will have dominion over our children. That is not only renews their minds, but enters deeply into their very lives in order to influence their every action. Thank You for the promise that grace reigning in the heart will be a powerful preservative both against corruptions within and temptations without. May they find delight in Truth because that is when knowledge becomes pleasant to the soul.
THURSDAY
11 discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil,
Thank you for your Word which preserves our children from people with corrupt principles who intentionally deny or suppress Truth or who may ridicule them because they believe your Word is Truth about history, science, and faith. Our society seems to be ganging up against those who love You and believe that your Word is Truth. Keep our children from being ensnared by them. Thank you for watching over them; guarding them; and delivering them from those who oppose You and your Word is Wisdom
FRIDAY
16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words,
17 who forsakes the companion of her youth
and forgets the covenant of her God;
Father, today we pray for our sons and our daughters.
For our daughters: May they never forget your covenant with them. Bless them and keep them. May they remain faithful to You and to the one they marry.
For our sons: Smooth seductive words and images permeate this culture. Deliver our sons from these entrapments. May the meditations of their hearts be pleasing to You.
SATURDAY
20 So you will walk in the way of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will inhabit the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it,
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.
Thank You for bringing the message of Truth to us so that we can teach our children, that You are light and in You is no darkness at all. We pray that our children will walk in the light, staying on the narrow path of righteousness, having fellowship with You.
Week 3 Proverbs 3
SUNDAY
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
Father, as parents and teachers of our children, may we be well acquainted with Your Word - applying it into every discipline. May Your Word direct our understanding of each subject we teach our children. Give us wisdom in teaching Truth to them. Show us any areas where we might be compromising it so that we won’t be mixing Truth with false ideas.
We ask that our children will have the firm conviction that all Scripture is inspired by You - from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 - and is useful in teaching them what is true and giving them the ability to discern what is false. We pray that our children will not forget or neglect our teaching, but have a continual regard for Your Word. Thanks for the promise to those whose heart is set on Your commandments: for Your Word will provide a long and full life, and will add well-being to them.
MONDAY
3 Let not steadfast love and truth forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
Father, we pray for our children to be patient and kind; that they would not envy what others have or be boastful about the things they have. We pray they would not be arrogant or rude always insisting on their own way; may they not be irritable or resentful rejoicing at wrongdoing, but may they rejoice with Truth. Strengthen them to bear all things, to believe all that You have written, to have hope when things seem hopeless, and to endure through difficult days. O Lord, give us wisdom as we care for them. May the things they learn not just be written with No. 2 pencils in notebooks, but by Your Spirit write Truth on the tablets of their hearts so that they will find favor and have good success in the sight of You and others.
TUESDAY
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Almighty God, we pray that our children will believe that You are able to do what You will, wise to do what is best, and good, according to Your promise to do what is best for them. May they yield to Your wisdom, power, and goodness and in all their ways acknowledge You with thankfulness and submission. May they always believe that Your hand is over-ruling and ordering all their circumstances. May they not simply depend on their own understanding of things, but ask Your advice for direction in their lives, not just in difficult decisions, but in every case.
WEDNESDAY
11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
Father, we pray that our children will live moment by moment in relationship with You. That they will not harden their hearts under Your discipline be it ever so light or short. And likewise, they will not faint under it or become dispirited under it. May they know You will deliver them from under the pressure of it. And finally, may they know that it is divine correction from a good and loving Heavenly Father - for we can be sure that You do us no wrong and that a God of infinite goodness means us no hurt or harm. May they never grow weary for You know our limits, both what we need and what we can bear.
THURSDAY
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Heavenly Father, we pray for our children to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Give them discernment to recognize the true value of the wisdom which comes from Your Word - much more valuable than gold, silver, or precious jewelry. May these bright and shiny things be dimmed in their hearts by the pure brightness of Your Wisdom.
FRIDAY
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
Father, these are such sweet words of encouragement. May our family know the embrace of life, riches and honor Your offer to each of us each day. May we yield our lives to Your ways and find true pleasantness and paths of peace. Give our children discernment so that they will know the difference between what the world offers and what Your promise. May they know You as their Creator and Savior. Our prayer is that our children will grow up in our home knowing You in this way - holding fast to the Word of Life!
SATURDAY
21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.’
O Lord, we pray that our children will never close their hearts to You or Your Word. Instead, may they meditate on Your Word day and night and as they do show them wondrous things from Your Word. For it is from that treasury that comes sound wisdom, discretion and unspeakable advantage because it is not the wisdom of man, but the Wisdom of God giving life to their soul. We pray they will know they are under the special protection of Your Providence and find personal satisfaction for their souls. It is in the name and authority of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
Week 4 Proverbs 4
SUNDAY
Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2 for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Father, we pray for fathers to have godly wisdom to teach their children. Teach us O Lord, that we might be good teachers of our children. May they accept our teaching as from You, with authority and affection. We pray our children will not forget our teaching. May Your Words make a deep impressions upon them. May they never be ashamed of You or Your Word. Rivet Your thoughts into their hearts, souls, and minds.
MONDAY
5 Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
Father, we know our non-Christian culture is taking away the faith of many Christian young people. Protect their faith from those who will make fun of them for believing Your Word. Guard their hearts from the cares of this world and the love of money which so easily ensnares us. We pray our children’s hearts will be good soil, and that Your Word will sprout, grow, and produce a crop that will be thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted. We lean on this promise written by Paul:
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”(Philippians 1:6).
TUESDAY
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”
O Lord, may our children know that the starting point of their education is wisdom - wisdom from Your Word - for without it other information is meaningless or distorted. We pray they will prize and embrace You and Your Word. Lord, give them a wise and an understanding heart. We pray their beauty will be an inward beauty of the heart. May others be attracted to Christ in them.
WEDNESDAY
10 Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Father, give us Your thoughts and wisdom so that we can teach our children the way of wisdom. Teach us the best ways for us to lead them in the paths of uprightness. We know that we cannot impart what we don’t possess. First, change my heart O Lord. Second, may our children love wisdom and cleave to it. We pray You will preserve, guard and guide them. May they know Christ as their life.
THURSDAY
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
O Lord, we pray for our children to avoid every thing that looks like sin or leads to it. May they recognize the path of wickedness and turn away from it and turn to the path of goodness and life. Even though the way of evil may seem pleasant or sociable, may they dread and detest the ways of sinners. Only You, O Lord, can keep them safe from the multiplicity of ideas and ways of thinking that has redefined life in this generation.
FRIDAY
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.
Father, we pray for our children to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of their time. May they be guided by the light of Your Word to light their way. We pray they will be light in the Lord and walk in the light as He is in the light. Thank You Lord that Your Word is true that shines light into the darkness keeping us from stumbling.
SATURDAY
20 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Father, may Your Words of Wisdom govern our children’s lives warning them of the dangers around them as well as providing life to their spirits. We pray they will welcome, receive and retain Wisdom in their hearts. We pray they will not be caught between two or more opposing viewpoints, but will stay true to You and Your Word.
Week 5 Proverbs
SUNDAY
My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep discretion,
and your lips may guard knowledge.
Father, we pray our children will trust in Your wisdom which not only guides us into life but also guards us from sin. Give them sound judgment so they will always know the right thing to say when confronted with temptation. Give them clear thinking. May they not live by their feelings, but by faith in our instruction from Your Word. May they not have to “experience” sin for themselves to know its terrible consequences, but rather believe what you have written about it.
MONDAY
3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil,
4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps follow the path to Sheol;
6 she does not ponder the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.
Thank you Lord for telling us that sexual sin is so tempting and so desirable, but at the same time warning us that it is so terrible and destructive. And so, we pray for our sons to hear and understanding that what You have said is true. Your teaching is not to keep us from enjoying pleasure, but rather to keep us from choosing the path that leads to death. For our daughters we pray they will never use their natural charming femininity to deceive and lead anyone astray, but rather they will choose the path of life for themselves.
TUESDAY
7 And now, O sons, listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,
Give us as parents wisdom in how to instruct our children in this most intimate relationship. We pray that our children will pay close attention to what Your Word says about it, and mix faith with it, treasure it up, and never depart from it. We pray they will do right. O Lord, this sin is crouching at our children’s door; it desires to have them. We cry out to you - give them strength to resist.
WEDNESDAY
11 and at the end of your life you groan,
when your flesh and body are consumed,
12 and you say, “How I hated discipline,
and my heart despised reproof!
13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
or incline my ear to my instructors.
14 I am at the brink of utter ruin
in the assembled congregation
Father, keep our children in the palm of Your hands. As we teach them about moral purity give us great wisdom. May we clearly do our part as parents in giving Godly counsel to them. May they not turn away from them all the days of their lives. May they take Your warnings to heart. Guard their hearts. You know the flesh is weak. Help us to know it as well. And if they do fall into this sin, may they quickly come to You and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you …”
THURDAY
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
O Lord, our culture has contempt for marriage and purity, but You have said that marriage is honorable and that the marriage bed be undefiled. We pray for our children who are married and those who will be marrying that they will be faithful to their own wife --sharing their love only with their wife. What may appear to be a harmless glance, look, or conversation can lead to utter destruction. Keep them. We pray they will be filled with Your Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh.
FRIDAY
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
Father, You have said that "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!" You know that sin has a certain allurement drawing our hearts away from You. We pray our children will be very careful - particularly in this area of marriage purity. Give our children discernment as they look into the hearts of those they will marry. May our sons by captivated only by the love of their own wives. May they rejoice - take pleasure in, have joy in, delight, be fond of and love dearly - in the wife of their youth. May you bless them with children and may they take delight in their children and look upon them with pleasure.
SATURDAY
21 For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord,
and he ponders all his paths.
22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
23 He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.
O Lord, our hearts are bent toward evil. Thank You for this clear reminder of the end of a life of sin. Knowing that we run to that which is wrong, we pray for our children to flee from sexual immorality. We pray that our children will guard with great watchfulness and resolution against the allurements of their sensual appetite. We pray they will never be entangled in these cords. But if they do, we pray that with the same power You used to break the cords of Death, You would use to break these cords of sin and death and set them free.
Guard Your Heart
Steve Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx65zb8AQpo
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
What appears to be harmless glance?
Can turn to romance and homes are divided
Feelings that should never have been awakened within
Tearing the heart in two, listen, I beg of you
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed at the hand of emotion
You dare not leave the outcome to chance
You must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
Week 6 Proverbs 6
SUNDAY
6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger,
2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
caught in the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, and save yourself,
for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
4 Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;
5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
Father, we pray our children will recognize the lack of wisdom in binding themselves to another persons debt. May they recognize the seriousness of such a decision. May they realize that co-signing on another person’s note actually places them into debt. We pray that our children will keep out of debt as much as may be possible. Open their eyes to see debt as an incumbrance which entangles them in the world which is not so easily untangled.
MONDAY
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8 she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
Father, we pray our children will realize that they have a great advantage because they are being taught by us. Give them an eagerness to learn and take advantage of this opportunity. May they have prudent foresight. We pray they would carefully consider how they spend - no invest - their time. Stir within them an understanding of the many opportunities that You have given them today so that they will be preparing themselves for tomorrow. May we all know that TIME is a gift from You and it is limited.
We encourage you to watch this 60 second short film:
https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/conversation-starters.html/in-time/english.html
TUESDAY
12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
Thank You, Lord, that in Christ we are new creatures all together; that our old life has passed away; and that you have given us a new heart. Thank You that we have a new power for living - Your life in us! We pray our children will walk in the Spirit rather than walk in the flesh. May they know their true identity in Christ - adopted, loved, and chosen before the beginning of the world, that they should be holy and blameless before You. Naturally, our hearts are prone to wander; may Your goodness bind our wandering hearts to You. We pray our children will present their lives to You as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, and pleasing to You.
WEDNESDAY
16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
Thank You Lord Jesus for making possible the great exchange - giving Your life in exchange for ours. We pray for our children to believe in this great mystery: that we “have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Make these exchanges real in our lives:
Exchange our haughty eyes with Your eyes of love and acceptance.
Exchange our lying tongue with words telling the Truth.
Exchange our hands that shed innocent blood with words of abundant and eternal life.
Exchange our heart that devises wicked plans with a new heart which seeks Your will to be done.
Exchange our feet that make haste to run to evil with beautiful feet bringing the Good News.
Exchange our false witness which breathes out lies with a faithful witness to Your goodness.
Exchange our sowing discord among brothers with words bringing forth peace and unity.
THURSDAY
20 My son, keep your father's commandment,
and forsake not your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
We pray for our family to faithfully adhere to the Word of God and to take it for our guide in all our beliefs and behaviors. We pray our children will look upon the Word of God both as a light and as a law. May it be a lamp to their eyes for guiding them, and to their feet preserving and protecting them from sexual impurity. O Lord, may our children’s convictions rest firmly on the eternal certainty of Truth which You have revealed to us. We pray for parents to direct their children to Your Word, put it into their hands, train them up in the knowledge and observance of it. May Your Word be our companion, and converse with it during the day and night. May it be our life.
FRIDAY
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,[g]
but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished.
Heavenly Father, we pray our sons will keep a distance from this sin, and to look upon it with the utmost dread and detestation. May they believe Your Word which explains that there is an inner pull toward sin and that it is more powerful than their ability to control their own nature. May our children not succumb to the war that is waging within them. Finally, may they know that only You can set them free from this body of sin and death.
SATURDAY
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense;
he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious,
and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation;
he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
O Lord, we live in a “pleasure for the moment” society. We pray that our sons and daughters will be blameless and harmless as they live in the middle of this crooked and perverse generation. Even though this sin has become so common in our culture, it won’t diminish the consequences in the lives of those we dearly love. May they trust Your Word and not have to experience these consequences to know they are real. May they not expose themselves to all this misery for momentary pleasure which will be bitterness in the end. Father, be at work in our sons and daughters both to will and to do according to Your good pleasure. We pray they will walk close to You - so close that they will be under Your shadow. May they live their lives under the authority of Your Word knowing that it carries with it the evidence of Your goodness.?
Week 7 Proverbs 7
SUNDAY
1 My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
As our children begin making their own choices may they chose belief rather an unbelief, obedience rather than disobedience, and Your Word rather than man’s words. May they treasure up Your Word, laying it up safely, hiding it deep in their souls, so that they may find life! Ours is a society of death because Your commandments have been rejected. Every time our children encounter a thought or make a decision we pray they will seek Your counsel from Your Word. May it be written not on their computer tablets, but on the tablets of their hearts.
MONDAY
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words.
Father, we pray that You will make Your Word familiar to us as a family, that we would consult it often during the day and have it ever before our minds. May our children know it as their only defense against temptation and sin. While other words may sound persuasive or pleasurable, give our children discernment to recognize its source and turn from it. Open their eyes so that they will recognize the fallacies of false words.
TUESDAY
6 For at the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house
9 in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.
O Father, we pray for parents to be laying a solid foundation for their sons. May our sons not be simple minded lacking in sense wandering off road. Rather, we pray they will be investing their time in gaining wisdom and therefore guidance from Your Word. With computer access our sons don’t even have to leave our homes to be drawn into sin. We ask that they will keep a careful distance from this temptation. You know the flesh is weak - especially, in this area of life. Thank You for the promise that Your are at work within us to will and do according to Your good pleasure.
WEDNESDAY
10 And behold, the woman meets him,
dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward;
her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with coverings,
colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
Father, today we pray for our daughters. May they be pure of heart in all they do. May they know the accompanying promise — “for they shall see God.” Rather than having a “subtle” heart create in our daughters a clean heart and renew a right spirit within them. And finally, we pray they will have a tender heart which is receptive to our teaching and Your leading. May our daughters grow their roots deeply in true spirituality.
THURSDAY
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home.”
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
Lord, lead us not into temptation. We pray for our sons as well as fathers that this temptation not overtake them and draw them into sexual sin … deliver them from evil which surrounds them. We pray they will be spiritually minded and not walk in the flesh. May they reject this “love” which is only “lust”. True sexual love is reserved between a husband and his wife. May they not through away their lives, but rather, present their lives to You as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, which is their spiritual worship.
FRIDAY
24 And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
Our prayer today is that our children will listen attentively to the wisdom from Your Word and never leave the paths of virtue. We prayer that reason, conscience, the fear of God, and Word of Christ will dwell and rule in their hearts, teaching and guiding them with all wisdom through Your Spirit. May they hear Your voice, Lord Jesus, and follow You into the narrow way, the safe way - the only way which leads to life.
SATURDAY
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.
O Lord, sin cannot be overcome through will power, or self determination - many strong men have been taken captive by its allurements. May our children know that the power of any sin is too strong for us. When tempted turn our children’s hearts to You. We pray they will call out to you with the words of Paul:
“For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans Chapter 7)
May our children know and draw upon Your power - the power of the living God. Lead them not into temptation - Deliver them from evil. It is in the authority, power, and name of Jesus that we pray. Amen
WEEK 8 — Praying through Proverbs
"Setting aside special time to talk with God about our family"
PROVERBS CHAPTER 8
SUNDAY
Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
Father, may our children know that Your Word is Wisdom to be studied. But so much more than simply words on a page. May they come to know Jesus, who “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption… “ The wisdom of God is proclaimed in some ways by Your works in creation, published in the written Word of God, the Bible, but finally, revealed in Jesus, who is our Wisdom. When our children are at a cross-roads of their lives, where paths meet and separate, may they respond to the Voice of Wisdom. Amidst the multitude of cries attempting to lead them away from You and Your Word give them “ears to hear.” Grow them up in Christ so that they will not be simpletons or fools.
MONDAY
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
7 for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
Thank You, O LORD, that You do not lie. All Your words are right and true and nothing which You have spoken is false. We pray our children will have deep convictions that Your Word is unquestionably true, and nothing but the truth. We pray for our children to not only hear Your instructions, but more importantly welcome, receive, and submit to these truths. While Your word appears foolish to those who do not believe, they are more to be desired than choice gold and better than fine jewelry. May our children not be deceived into believing otherwise.
TUESDAY
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.
May our children know that true Wisdom is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the Word and Christ in our hearts, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. May our children see that Christianity isn’t just some small slice of their lives, but that it is their soul being formed by the word of God and it is Christ being formed in their soul. This is nothing less than the divine nature being formed in us.
WEDNESDAY
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
We pray our children will love You Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, strength - putting You and Your interests first in their lives. May this become their pursuit. As parents, we can have no greater joy than this: to hear that our children are living according to the truth. May our children have no greater joy than the joy of walking with You in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice. Give them eyes to see that Christians have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade . . . kept in heaven, reserved for them.
THURSDAY
22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
We pray for our children to know Jesus, who existed before the world was made -
… as the exact likeness of the unseen God - one with the Father and Spirit;
… as the Wisdom spoken of in Proverbs and elsewhere in Scripture;
… as the Creator, who made everything in heaven and earth;
… as the one who by His power holds everything together.
… as the light of men.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men (John 1:1-4).
FRIDAY
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established[d] the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
We are told by man’s wisdom that the world came to be by chance, but we pray our children will come to know and believe that the world was made by the Word of Your mouth. May they be convinced that Jesus was not just present during the creation of the world but was its divine architect and builder. May our children bow before Jesus as both Creator and Savior.
SATURDAY
32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Our prayer is that You, O LORD, will bring our family into complete subjection to the Word of God, to make us wise and good, to reject man’s finite speculations, and to correct what is amiss in our own hearts, minds, andlives. We pray for our children to take advantage of every opportunity for getting knowledge and grace. We pray for them to be humble in their hearing and receiving divine instructions always with great expectations. Show them wondrous things from Your Word about who You are and the principles that govern Your world. May our children know the blessings of quietly watching and waiting at Wisdom’s gates. May they continue knocking and seeking Wisdom throughout their lives. Thank You, Lord, for the promise that whoever finds You finds life - abundant life, resurrection life, eternal life. We pray all these things in the name of our Creator and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
WEEK 9 — Praying through Proverbs
SUNDAY
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
May our children know Christ, in whom are hidden treasures of wisdom. Open their hearts to know the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are Your judgments and unfathomable Your ways.
MONDAY
3 She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
Thank You, Lord, for calling out to us in so many different ways each and every day. We would be totally lost without Your Word. Give our children ears to here. As a flower turns toward the sun each morning, may our children’s hearts turn toward You as they hear Your voice. Preparing them to be used by You for the high calling of taking Your message to others.
TUESDAY
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
What a blessed invitation - “Come unto Me" - the Creator of the Universe calls out to us. It is written, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” We pray our children will taste the true pleasures that are found in the knowledge and fear of God. We pray for us and other parents to be setting a feast of Truth before them each day and may our children feed upon all the provisions Christ has made for us. What a beautiful picture: what we eat and drink we make our own, we are nourished and refreshed by it. May our children long for the pure milk of the Word applying it to their hearts and taking comfort from it.
WEDNESDAY
6 Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
We pray for our children to walk in the way of insight and discernment. We pray they will never turn their hearts away from You. May they not join in with those who laugh at or ridicule Your Word. May they humbly accept Your Word as Truth and become wise.
THURSDAY
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
We pray for ourselves and other parents as we teach our children that we instruct them in the way of Wisdom. Your Word is wisdom and is intended ...
for instruction - so that we will properly understand You and the world You have made;
for reproof - to expose and convict us of wrong thinking or behavior;
for correction - so that we can know how to get it right, for restoring us to right thinking and behavior;
and for training in righteousness - nurturing us as a nursing mother tenderly caring for her children and as a father exhorting, encouraging, and challenging them to walk in a manner pleasing to You!.
We pray for You to be using Your Word in our family for all its proper purposes.
FRIDAY
13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
We pray for our children to believe the consequences of turning into this house of folly without having to actually experience it for themselves. Give our children the ability to discern the folly of human wisdom from the true wisdom You offer in Your Word. Man’s thoughts are not Your thoughts and Your ways are not our ways. May our children not listen to man’s thoughts which contradict Your explanation of the world - it’s beginning, man’s fall and need of a Savior. We pray our children will not be tricked by man’s wisdom which is really folly. In fact, prepare our children to expose what is false which is leading many to death.
SATURDAY
Proverbs 9 is presented in a specific structural style. The opening 6 verses and the closing 6 verses present parallel ideas: Wisdom’s house and Folly’s house. In this case, the ideas are opposing. The middle 6 verses present the central Truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”This is just one example of a chiastic structure.
Our Prayer:
Father, we thank you for this proverb. It is such a vivid picture of wisdom calling versus folly calling out to us and our children. The voice of folly is currently surrounding us - pressing in on us from every direction. We pray our children will not be enticed by this clever voice but will turn their hearts to Your voice of wisdom. We ask that they will grow up into Christ - no longer being childlike in their thinking, tossed about by various waves of philosophy, by the trickery of men’s ideas. Give them the strength and courage to never waver from You or Your Word. Finally, may they own for themselves the promise You first made to Joshua - “Be strong and courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” It is in the precious name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.
WEEK 10 Chapter 10
SUNDAY
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
First, we pray for ourselves and other Christian parents to give our children a true biblical education, and to raise them up in Your Word and ways. We pray for our children to embrace You, Your Word, and Your ways and gladden our hearts as parents. May our children store up their treasure in heaven being diligent and honest in all they do. Jesus, may our children know and believe that in You is Life unlike what the world offers. We pray they will gather up knowledge and wisdom in the days of their youth.
MONDAY
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
In ourselves there is no righteousness, but thank You, Lord, for revealing to us that “in Christ” is our righteousness. May we, as parents, impress this truth upon our children often and in many ways. May our teaching bring honor to those men and women in our family and in history who lived before us walking in Your way, but have died. May we repeat this little phrase, “Let his or her memory be blessed”. Let us delight in making an honorable mention of believers that have died as we teach our children. We thank You, God, for them, and for Your gifts and graces that appeared in them so that they would become examples to us, to our children and to our children’s children.
TUESDAY
8 The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
We pray that our children will welcome and receive Your Word into their hearts becoming well established in their faith. Being well established in Your Word they will be safe under Your divine protection - armed against temptations of Satan, the troubles of the world, and the reproaches of men. We pray that their lives will be like a stream of living water refreshing those around them with Godly wisdom.
WEDNESDAY
15 A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
Regarding wealth, we pray for our children not to make a mistake in either of two directions. If they become rich in worldly things, we pray they will not try to find their happiness in the things money can buy. If they become poor, we pray they will not think themselves of no value because they have so few things. But rather we pray for our children to learn the secret of living in abundance or in need. May they be content in all circumstances - whether rich or poor - because they can do all things through Christ who gives them strength. We pray they will not only receive this instruction, but will retain it, and not let it slip through their fingers because of an abundance of money or the lack of it. May they find true treasure in You.
THURSDAY
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
O Lord, whether our children be rich or poor may they be good and honorable. During these formative years of their lives, we pray they will be pouring Your Words into their lives so that they will have something of great value and useful to speak. Your Words are like silver purified and can be relied on. We pray that Your thoughts will become their thoughts and that Your Words will become their words - for out of the good treasure of their heart they bring forth good things.
FRIDAY
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Father, we pray our children will never be deceived by the virtual appearance of things rather than seeing clearly the truth of things. We ask for our children to learn to do good and serve You with joyfulness and gladness of heart throughout their lives. May they find the true pleasure of life in finding wisdom and true joy in the hope that they have within them. When they are going through difficult times, may their faith in You and Your Word keep them!
SATURDAY
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
We pray the comparisons described in these four verses between the righteous and the wicked be vividly imprinted on the hearts, souls, and minds of our children. We pray for our children to know the strength of living day-by-day in the awareness of Your Providence. May they know that all Your dealings with them, whether merciful and afflictive, will serve to give them hope to fight against discouragements. May they learn that the closer they keep to Your way, the more their hearts will be encouraged to walk in it. And that as they continue walking in Your way the better prepared they will be for service and suffering.
WEEK 11 CHAPTER 11
SUNDAY
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Father, we pray our children will fix their convictions on Your principles of justice, integrity, and uprightness. May these three guide their thoughts and their behavior throughout their lives. We pray they will humble themselves before You and find true wisdom. May our children learn from You the things which please You the most.
MONDAY
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
O Lord, the people around us are striving for so many things. You know exactly what we need. We pray for our children to seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and the righteousness that comes from You, and then entrust themselves to You, knowing that You will give them everything they need for this life and the life to come.
TUESDAY
7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth perishes too.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
You will make a way where there seems to be no way. You work in ways that we cannot see. Give our children the faith to trust You in the midst of the distresses which they may find themselves. Be their guide and deliver them from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
We cry out to You, O Lord, because we are raising our children in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation. May they store up Your Word in their own hearts so that they will not be deceived. Deliver them from the godless. We pray that our children will resist the temptation to speak out of turn. May they become as cautious as snakes but as innocent as doves.
THURSDAY
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
Father, we thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to guide our feet and a light to enlighten our path. May our children grow to know that Your Word is the final say in all the decisions they make in life. And although they seek advice from godly men and women, we pray they will always check what is said against Your Word. We pray they will not depend on their own understanding, but trust in You with all their heart.
FRIDAY
16 A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent (strong) men get riches.
17 A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
but he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
Above all we ask for our children to be a beautiful reflection of Your divine affection. We pray they will not be caught between two opinions, but will study Your Word to know what pleases You and avoid those behaviors and thoughts which displease You. May our daughters grow to become gracious and honorable women and our sons strong and valiant men full of faith and conviction.
SATURDAY
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!
First, we pray for our children to delight themselves in You, O Lord, and then rest in the promise that You will give them the desires of their hearts. We know they will need patience in this waiting. We pray they will always be a blessing to others so that they will inherit a blessing from You. May our children be honest men and women. Not withholding things at the expense of someone else’s hurt. May they be content in all their circumstances looking for opportunities to assist and help others physically, emotionally, and spiritually that the name of Jesus would go forth. Give them Your wisdom so that they will know how to live - as lights in the darkness. In Jesus name we prayer, Amen