Thursday, August 17, 2017

Time for a New Start

All of a sudden, August 14th seems to be the date when most schools resume all over these United States (did you catch the irony in the name of this country? I digress). The Little One started high school on Monday and I am still trying to wrap my brain around it. She is my late in life child, the child of my old age, our surprise blessing. Prior to discovering I was pregnant with her, I was seeing my way across the finish line and looking forward to a respite from childrearing. This time, I'm much closer, and there will be no surprises.

She started High School with all of its promises of new beginnings, experiences, and excitement. As an older parent, I'm there for her but I'm also nudging her to embrace the good that High School has to offer. As I've prayed for all of my children, I'm more cognizant of how to intercede for her in light of what's happening around us.

I pray for peace; I pray that she has a peaceful disposition and that she is a peacemaker.
I pray that she has no anxiety and that when she becomes uneasy, she is reassured that she need not be anxious about anything.
I pray for favor with her teachers, guidance counselors, administration and any position of authority that she interacts with.
I pray that she is surrounded by good friends and that she is a bright light to all; that her light will shine.
I pray for protection from people and things that mean her harm.
I pray for bravery to combat injustice and to speak up as needed.
I pray for wisdom and discernment.
I pray for determination and strength as there will be things that she will just have to persevere through - whether it's dealing with a tough project, making a team or short-sightedness on her part.
I pray for memory to recall God's word that is hidden in her heart; to recall what she has studied.
I pray that she will be a friend to the friendless.I pray that she exudes joy.

I have prayed a variation of these prayers for my children daily as they navigated the halls of learning and will continue to do so. I found these scripture bracelets on Groupon and got her one with her favorite verse on it so she could have a visual reminder of God's promises.

We're all in need of fresh starts. This country is in need of a fresh start, just as the thousands of students who start school annually. In the midst of transition let's not forget the importance of prayer. At the beginning of this school year, let's take a moment to pray for our children, their teachers, their schools, their communities, their homes, their countries. Perhaps the Little Ones, empowered by love from praying parents, can truly initiate the fresh start we all need.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. 
Never stop praying. 
1 Thessalonians 5:14-17


It's time for a new start; start with prayer.

--Nylse

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8 comments:

  1. Hello Nylse--this is a beautiful family photo and beautiful list of prayers. I agree--it's time to make a new start with prayer in our nation. Blessings to you! Visiting from #chasingcommunity.

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  2. Truly, such irony .... I digress as well.

    Beautiful prayer! Ahh good ole high school. Seems like so long ago but so many things that I can clearly remember. Praying that she has an amazing H.S. experience.

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  3. We need your hope-filled words (and love the picture of your beautiful family!). And yes, I definitely see the irony here: "all over these United States." Lord, have mercy on us individually and collectively to pull it together and love, love, love! A fresh start is definitely needed. Blessings to your baby starting high school!

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  4. Truly sweet and inspiring, thank you♡

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  5. I like the prayers you pray over her and the Scripture bracelets.

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  6. Nylse, may it not be lost on anyone that you are asking that your daughter be a giver, not just a recipient, of peace and joy. So many people ask for peace and joy but do nothing to promote it and then wonder why it eludes them.

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  7. Oh I am praying with you for all these things! My little ones are on the other end of the line (just starting preschool), but these are every mother's prayer. Thank you for linking up to the #SundayThoughts so I can be praying for her and you! Please keep me posted on how the year goes.

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  8. This is a beautiful prayer and words that she will never forget as she progresses through life. Thank you for sharing!

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