Prayers for Adalyn

Lord, life's road has no shortage of ups and downs; of twists and turns. It is certain that my daughter will face these obstacles and detours in her life. I pray that you will give her an attitude of peacefulness in the midst of change. When she's facing inevitable change, give her a sense of calm. May she praise you for your control of all things, even the extraordinary. When challenges arise in her life, help my daughter's calmness be a testimony to those around her of your love and provision, God. Fill my daughter with a giving spirit and sense of generosity that will draw others to you, Lord. I pray that you give my daughter the grace to glorify you in every circumstance. Be her guiding light. Amen.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 NLT

Lord, you are the Great Sheppard for your people. I pray that you will order the steps of my daughter today, before she even learns to walk. May the small choices she makes be integrated into the larger picture of her life. Often times, those small choices we make in life lead down a path of blessing or ruin. During my daughter's youth, I'm sure that she won't consider the bigger picture of her life, but you will. I know, even now while Adalyn grows inside my womb, you see the beginning and end of her life. I pray you direct each choice she makes, like a lighthouse directing the vessels of the sea. Thank you for your steadfastness. Thank you for your loving wisdom. Thank you for your hope, which is new every morning. Amen.

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live!" - Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT 

Lord, the number of people we encounter and relationships we form in our lifetime boggles the mind. Guide, in your divine nature, the people the enter my daughters life. Provide her with the relationships she needs and friends who will be benevolent and virtuous. It is my hope that their influence on her choices be morally excellent. I can't shelter my daughter forever, or hold her hand throughout the day, but you can, Lord. You will walk beside my daughter during every moment of her life, like you have walked and continue to walk with me. Give her cognizance of your guiding hand in her relationships, romantic and otherwise. Guide her friendships, and the choices she will make in this significant part of her life. Amen.

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." - Proverbs 13:20 ESV

Lord, my daughters education will come from many different sources. I pray for each of my daughters teachers, in the classroom and in the world. Help the teachers be sensitive to my daughter's (and each child's) needs and give the teachers knowledge to meet those concerns. Bless my daughter's teachers with patience, firmness and clear communication. Good teachers are often (and naturally) admired and adored, so let the persons who teach my child be of strong moral character. Awaken in my daughter's heart an enthusiasm and eagerness for learning. Motivate Adalyn to learn from the experiences that cross her path. Give her the desire to include the Bible in her learning. I pray that she comprehend and appreciate the divine wisdom in those pages, that have meant so much to so many over the centuries. Thank you in advance. Amen

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2 NASB


Lord, you know our hearts so intimately. We go about our days wearing emotional masks to hide our true feelings from others; to conceal our pain, but inside we are hurting. We cry out for you, God. Help Adalyn to really know the depth of your love. If she is discouraged, lift her spirit to be comforted. If she is in despair, give her hope. In this day and age, many children are hurting, lost and disheartened. This pain and feeling of hopelessness leads them to believe there is no solution. They, often times, believe their only escape from these feelings is suicide. Send your angels down to protect my daughter. Help her to see the way of escape, through your love and your word, God. Amen.

"But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Lord, this world is a scary place. Each day we learn of new things that strike fear in the hearts of human kind. I pray that you soften the pangs of fear in my daughter's heart. Give her courage in the face of her greatest causes of anxiety or apprehension. Instill in Adalyn an enduring sense of fortitude and bravery. Resolve any doubts she may have in herself, or in your ability to see her through the darkest and most trying times. Help her to know that through you all things are possible, and that she can overcome any fear if she trust in you. Set her mind on the righteousness of your kingdom, Oh Lord, and protect her from the wickedness of the world. Amen.

"So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 NIV

The Journey (revisited)

As I recall, I was resting against a blunt rock in the middle of a flat, barren, dismal stretch of land on the canyon floor. Surrounding this open plain were cliffs so majestic and bewitching for a moment I thought I heard the song of the sirens. The travelers of her paths have seldom been in the state of mediocrity - in which I found myself. For the paths of wisdom leading to the bluffs of enlightenment must be trodden only by the feet of eminent, knowledgeable men. And those feet must be sturdy so that they might carry the weight of knowledge needed to reach the top of the crag we call enlightenment. Enlightenment is to excel in every aspect of thought, or so I believed at the time.

So many times had I stumbled up the winding path, only to find the burden of wanting to be enlightened on all levels was anchoring me to the ground. I began to think of history's most enlightened people...Siddhartha Gautama, Mohammed, Socrates, Jesus Christ, Dalai Lama, even Albert Einstein could be considered one of humanities most enlightened minds. Einstein was a philosopher, theoretical physicist, mathematician, amateur musician (specifically violinist) and humanitarian, among other things. He was a true genius. I believe he lived in a permanent state of enlightenment.  He was one of those people that seemed to understand the secrets of the universe. So that is my goal. I will strive to excel in everything. "But look at your poor mathematics skills; that's not going to help you. See how you struggle to understand the words on the page? How many times has that nailed you down?" Daily my mind is clouded by selfish wants, pessimistic thoughts and deviousness.

Pushing the negative thoughts from my mind, I rested the weight of the burdensome load on my shoulders and once again began to trudge onward. A short time later I grew weary and settled alongside the path. At that moment I noticed a minute ant carrying a grain of sand to his mound. I began to inspect the mound more carefully and in doing so my hand blocked the ants path home. I realized then that though the intricacy of the mound was an engineering marvel, the real genius was the ants ability to redirect its path home despite obstacles in it's way. That ant was able to look at his problem from a different point of view; there in lies the enlightenment.

As I pondered my new insight, the brilliance of the crag caught my eye. While I realized I was not there yet, I looked down and saw that I was no longer at the bottom either. I recalled the steps of my journey thus far and once again had a revelation. It occurred to me that each step takes you closer to the bluffs. Each inch you move is a new perspective.  Enlightenment is not the destination. True enlightenment is seeing familiar scenes of life in a new light. Enlightenment is approaching each day, each path, each step with curiosity, creativity and determination to make each step count. Instead of striving for perfection or excellence in everything, it is wise to look outside yourself until the "you" disappears.

I arose to continue my quest and the knapsack of custom fell from my back.