What's the Best Christmas Gift for Your Kids? |
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Good question. I've tried everything, from ridiculously expensive "must-have" toys like My Size Barbie (a gift that was abandoned as soon as our four-year-old stole all her clothes) to a posture brace for our teenagers that was not, as the advertisement optimistically proclaimed, "virtually invisible" under your clothing. * |
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Looking back on our family's growing up years, I can't help but think that a lot of my Christmas mistakes could have been avoided had I stuck with my grandmother's gift-giving strategy. Gammy never gave us anything, at least nothing you could wrap. Instead, she asked her grandkids to memorize a Bible verse for her every year and, in return, she promised to pray for us.
I will admit that, as a teenager, I was less-than-enthused by my grandmother's scheme. I don't know how I ever memorized any verses, given that my eyes were rolled so far back into my head. Today, though, many of these nuggets are still locked in, and in terms of things like wisdom, joy, and peace I can promise you this: The Bible verses have been a far better — and infinitely more comfortable — support system than even the most discreet posture brace.
I will never know the full impact of Gammy's prayers, but I am confident that her gift to her grandchildren protected us from all manner of evil we likely deserved — and opened the door to immeasurable blessings we didn't. And now that I've got grandkids of my own, I can't think of anything I'd rather give them than prayer — the same gift I (finally) learned to give to my children. So what does it look like, in practical terms, to "give the gift of prayer"? Every December, I spend some time thinking about each of our kids and grandkids. I consider where they are (spiritually, as well as socially, physically, emotionally, and in other ways), and I ask God to clue me in as to what He might want to do in their lives. And then, because I love the power that comes with praying the scriptures, I go poking around in the Bible. When I find a verse that seems to speak to a child's particular situation or need, I pick that as an "annual prayer," personalizing it with his or her name.
Here are a handful of the prayers I've relied on over the years:
- For a child's academic or career success: May _______ show aptitude for every kind of learning, be well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve. (Daniel 1:4)
- For a child who needs wisdom and guidance: Instruct and teach _______ in the way they should go. (Psalm 32:8)
- For a child who wants friends: Surround _______ with good friends who are kind and compassionate, and quick to forgive. (Ephesians 4:32)
- For a child to live out their faith in a winsome way: May _______ be wise, shining like the brightness of the heavens and leading many to righteousness. (Daniel 12:3)
When our children were little, I'd trace their hands on a piece of colored cardstock and write out the verse, along with the date. I'd cut out the hand, laminate it, and stick it on the refrigerator, where they'd serve as a visible reminder to me (and to my kids) that God was at work. |
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After a while, when the kids' hands got so big that they were more creepy than cute on the fridge, I began making bookmarks with the verses instead. And after doing this now for more than twenty years, here is what I've discovered. I've discovered that when you commit to spending a whole year praying about one particular thing, you learn to wait well, trusting God even when you can't see what He is doing. You give Him time to work. And you get out of the way so that He can weave in answers and blessings that you had not even thought to pray for, or that your children needed.
For instance, one year I chose Isaiah 62:2-4 as a prayer verse for our daughter, Hillary. "You will be called by a new name," this passage says. "No longer will they call you Deserted or name your land Desolate... the Lord will take delight in you and your land will be married." Hillary was facing some uncertainty in her job at the time, and I wanted her to know that God delighted in her. I wanted God to give her a new name — a new "sense of identity" — and let her know how much she was loved.
God did that, all right. He filled my girl with purpose and joy. He gave her favor at work. And he introduced a young man into the picture — one who became her fiancé that year and then literally gave her his name. Marriage was not even on my radar when I picked that prayer verse — but it was on God's!
Truth be told, I love gifts you can wrap and tuck under the tree (and if nothing else, the posture brace made every other gift shine by comparison). But as I think about the varied ways we can shower our children with love, I'm increasingly convinced that prayer is the best gift of all. It's a gift that lasts. It's one that comes with the power to influence and shape lives. And it brings peace and joy to the giver, knowing that when we come before our heavenly Father on behalf of our children, He can be trusted to accomplish good things in their lives. |
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Our prayers when placed in the hands of our loving God move mountains... even when we don't see it right away. Let's pray for our children and grandchildren this Christmas and upcoming year! Who are you praying for? Come share with us! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Praying the Scriptures for Your Children 20th Anniversary Edition: Discover How to Pray God's Purpose for Their Lives |
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+ Take an extra 20% off $45+ with GG20 |
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There is no need we will face in parenting--or that our kids will confront in their lives--that God has not already thought of, and provided for, in his Word. And there can be no greater privilege than partnering with him, through our prayers, to accomplish his best purposes in the lives of the people we love. But where to begin? In this updated and expanded edition celebrating the twentieth anniversary of a modern classic, you will discover how using the Bible to shape your desires and requests opens the door to God's provision--and frees us from things like worry and fear in our parenting! Plus, all-new material includes sections on praying for a child's sense of identity, praying for their use of technology, and building a prayer legacy with specific strategies and a collection of child-friendly Bible verses designed to help children anchor their hope in God's Word. |
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What Our Readers Are Saying |
"Gives ideas about praying in ways I'd not considered." — Judy B. |
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Praying the Scriptures for Your Teens: Opening the Door for God's Provision in Their Lives |
Prayer can be your greatest asset and source of wisdom in raising teenagers in today's world. Now expanded, this book features updated content on issues like pornography, addiction, self-harm, anxiety, rebellion, technology use, dealing with disappointment, and more. |
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Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children: Trusting God with the Ones You Love |
As parents of adult children, we often worry about whether our children will make good choices when they're on their own. Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children provides you with biblically based prayers and encouraging stories to guide you as you pray for your adult children through anything they face. |
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Praying the Scriptures for Your Life: 31 Days of Abiding in the Presence, Provision, and Power of God |
Taking you on a 31-day journey rooted in Christ's words in John 15, Praying the Scriptures for Your Life will help you find guidance and peace as you pray through life's trickiest issues, from relationships to finances to what to do with the pain of unanswered prayer. Discover how Scripture can be experienced, not just read! |
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Still looking for the perfect gift? We've put together these special gift guides to make it easier for you! Shop our top inspirational gifts for everyone on your list up to 65% off. Plus save an extra 20% off your entire order when you spend $45 or more and use code GG20. Ends December 14th! |
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