A Summer Prayer for Children and Youth

 

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 100, Psalm 127

 

Reflections of the Heart:

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.  Summer is a time for ice cream cones, driveway basketball games, neighborhood swimming, and lazy afternoons.  May the joyous season of summer reflect God’s loving care for our children and youth.  Let us enjoy our times of sun, relaxation and leisure with our friends and family.

 

Scriptural Prayer:

Father, we bless Your Holy Name.  We come before Your presence with thanksgiving and we shout joyfully to You, the Rock of our salvation.   Lord, You are the great God, and the great King above all gods.  In Your hand are the deep places of the earth; the mightiest mountains are Yours.  The sea is Yours, for You made it, and Your hands formed the dry land.  Lord, You are our God and we are the people of Your pasture and the sheep of Your hand.  Father, we thank You for our children and youth.  We thank You for fulfilling Your plans and purposes through our children and youth during their summer activities.  Thank You for blessing our children and youth with a chance to rest and relax.

 

We declare that our children and youth dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  As a result, no harm will come near them during the summer.  In accordance to their obedience, we declare that they are blessed in the city and in the country.  They are blessed when they come in, and blessed when they go out.  We confess by faith, that our children and youth are blessed and they will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of the sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; but they will delight and meditate in Your Word day and night.  We declare that our children and youth will present their bodies as living and holy sacrifices to You, Lord.  We confess that they will not copy the illicit behavior and customs of this world because they are transformed into new people by the way they think.  We confess that every youth who is seeking summer employment will find it because they are surrounded with favor like a shield.  Lord, we confess that our children and youth are taught of You and Your ways so their peace shall be great and their composure undisturbed.

 

List your specific requests for the children and youth during the summer and take those concerns to the Lord in prayer:

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Father, please touch the hearts of our children and youth to fear You and hate evil, pride, arrogance, and a perverse mouth.  Cause them to walk according to the Holy Spirit and not their flesh.  Let the mind of Christ be established in them.  Help them to honor and obey their parents so that things may go well with them and that they will have long life on the earth.  Father, please bless our parents and guardians with the knowledge and skill to structure a lifestyle that will compel our children and youth to honor and obey You as their God.  Please give our parents and guardians the wisdom, strength, and guidance they need to plan, organize, and implement summer activities for their children and youth.  Father, bless our families during the summer break.  Father, bless our families with vacations.  Please protect us during our times of travel, leisure and play.  During the summer, please keep our children and youth protected from idol minds, unwise decisions, ungodly peer pressure, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and untimely death.  Holy Spirit, help each student to retain the information that they learned throughout the school year.  Father, we ask You to please surround them with Your love, lead and instruct them by Your Holy Spirit, and keep them as the apple of Your eye.

Lord, please forgive our children and youth for disobedience and all acts of sinfulness.  Forgive us for any abuse or neglect of our children and youth.  Forgive us for being so preoccupied with our own needs that we have failed to have structure in our homes for healthy meals and quality family time.  Forgive us for not always supporting our children’s educational needs, training them to have good manners, or teaching them to live a life of truth and integrity.  Lord, remind our children and youth to be forgiving; and help them to forgive.

Lead our children and youth not into temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.

 

Lord, we praise Your Name.  Your Name alone is exalted.  Your glory is above the earth and the heaven.  You are worthy, Lord, to receive glory, honor and power.  You created all things, by Your will they exist and were created.  You are Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Scripture References for the Written Text:  Psalm 95:1-5, 7,  Psalm 91:1-10, Deuteronomy 28:3,6, Psalm 1:1-2, Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 5:12, Isaiah 54:13, Proverbs 8:13, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 2:5, Ephesians 6:1-3, 13, Psalm 17:8, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 148:13, Revelation 4:11, Isaiah 9:6

 

Today, I will trust God to:

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