Month: February 2025

Gracious Redeemer and Creator;

What an entry into the world did this granddaughter make on a cold winter night! I was there and I was praying earnestly. Praying that the complications of birth would not harm mother or daughter. You, Lord, stood guard over us all on that birthday. Sixteen years later, I clearly see Your hand, Lord, upon this girl and the beautiful woman she is becoming.

This granddaughter’s heart is the kitchen. Thank You, Lord, that she reminds us of Your gift of sweet tastes with her sea-salted, gluten free chocolate chip cookies; that she reminds us that everything worthwhile takes time and patience like her artisan bread; that she reminds us that she pays attention to our favorites and finds a distinct path to blessing each of us via food (like chocolate cupcakes with coffee frosting and key lime pie for my birthday!)

This granddaughter’s heart is also the swimming pool. Out of her heart will flow rivers of living water, I pray (John 7:38)! Please lead her to find Christian community in which God’s faithfulness is regularly celebrated and where there is much confidence in the Mighty God Who is able to sweeten the water, split the water, curse the water, and create water. Lead her to discover that the One True God is powerful and mighty. Lead her to find that God compassionately responds to the earnest prayers of His daughters. Lead her to find that her Redeemer God has a specific plan and a special purpose for her that will impact family members to the tenth generation.

As this young woman serves others, impress upon her the character of Christ’s humility, the overflow of joy and not just a thankless task, and the willingness to be available and teachable beyond immediate acts of service. Give her Your vision for her future and assist her in discovering it at a tender age.

Give this granddaughter wisdom and discernment for detecting falsehood and for making sound decisions. Give her boldness to speak her mind, integrity to guide her heart, and courage to confront failure when it happens. Expand her graciousness so that her circles widen and others become attracted to the hope that is within her because of Jesus.

In her quietness, let her not be misunderstood as weak. In her soft voice, let her not be misunderstood to be devoid of firm opinions or creative ideas. In her demeanor, let her not be misunderstood to be withdrawn or disinterested. As she brightens our lives within the family, magnify her qualities to bring brighter and brighter light into the lives of those around her. Increase her confidence and courage, her determination and resolve, her care and concern for others, and most importantly her love for her Lord and Savior.

In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Gracious and Sovereign God;

Thank you for this young woman! She blessed my life by making me a “Nana” for the first time! She asked me to honor her by speaking at the occasion of her baptism. And, she developed an abiding faith in Christ at an early age – this grandmother’s deepest desire for her. Along the way, she has displayed the courage of Esther, the diligence of Martha, and the rested assurance of Mary as a devoted disciple of Christ.

Grant her a continued thirst to treasure Your Word in her heart, Lord, and to cling to it as You give her victories over suffering and sin. Help her to love Your people and to be a vital part of her church community both at home and at school. Heal her from disappointments in people and institutions, and help her to keep her eyes focused solely on You for security and joy. Give her Your wisdom and discernment in all matters of life.

Let her be a woman who reflects the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. May she be a Proverbs 31 women who draws her family, colleagues, and friends to the Rock that is high and lifted up. Guide and protect her in the potential move from singleness to marriage in your timing and providence. Prepare her and her future spouse for a oneness that brings honor and glory to the Name of Christ. May the two overcome obstacles meant for their harm and, in these depict the grace of forgiveness and love that can only come from above.

Please empower her to pass on to her descendants the knowledge of God, the hope of the Gospel, and the example of a life lived out for the glory of God and therefore love for mankind. To the tenth generation, may she be a light and an encouragement to her family by daily conveying how she applies her resolute faith to daily living.

When she trusts in You, deliver her. When she cries out to you, be her Rescuer. When her strength is gone, hasten to help her. O Father, take this young woman and build her into a Christ-influencer in all her intersections of life. Pour out Your Spirit on her and give her the ability to fulfill her callings with Your Divine purposes in each of them. Enable her to be bold in acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

In Jesus’s Name, Amen.