She posted this prayer from a book. Though I haven't read the book or anything by the author, I was so drawn to these words. It is a prayer for her children. And I think, it is a prayer I will pray for my daughters, and for me, and for my husband, and for my family, and for my friends. The words are some of the most beautiful and wise truths from Scripture. Some of the great reminders of what is true and right and worthy and real.
My own prayers (which are simply too infrequent) are often so inarticulate, so full of my own desires and selfish wishes...these words guide me more closely, I think, to the kind of prayer that Jesus taught us to pray.
I changed the words "they" and "them" and replaced them with "her"...because I think I want to pray these things for each of my daughters.
(You can read the original prayer on her blog with the Scripture references and book title.)
Lord, You alone change hearts of stone, to hearts of flesh.
Place Your Spirit within …. (Maya, or Sophie, or...)
and cause her to walk in Your statutes
and to be careful to obey Your rules.
For You know the plans You have for her;
plans to prosper her and not to harm her,
to give her a future and a hope.
Let her fear You, Lord,
and thus have a foundation
for wisdom and a heart for instruction.
Let her receive wisdom
and incline her heart to understanding.
Help her not to lean on her own, limited understanding,
but in all her ways to acknowledge You
so that her path will be straight.
Protect her from walking in the counsel of the wicked
and standing in the way of sinners,
but lead her to delight in the law of the Lord
and meditate on it day and night.
May she walk by the Spirit
and not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Instead, may she be filled with
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
May her minds and thoughts be fixed on
whatever is true, honorable, just, pure,
lovely, commendable,
anything worthy of praise.
May she not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of her mind.
May she discern the good,
acceptable and perfect will of God.
May her love be genuine.
May she abhor what is evil;
and hold fast to what is good.
May we love one another with brotherly affection,
outdoing one another in honor.
May she do nothing from rivalry or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than herself.
May she lie down and sleep in peace;
for You alone, O Lord, make her to dwell in safety.
Bless her Lord, and keep her,
and make Your face shine upon her,
and be gracious to her.
