For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all. Therefore all died; and He died for all, that they should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things passed away; behead, new things have come!

II Corinthians 5: 14-17

Dear Lord God,
It is my greatest heart's desire for Your powerful love to control the hearts of my children. Give them a humbled willingness to die to themselves daily, and then to LIVE with Your Spirit reigning inside each of them. Help them cling to the beautiful truth that old things have passed away; and yes, new things have come! Cause my children to WALK in this newness of life.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20: 24

Dear Lord Jesus,
I pray that my children would not consider their lives as dear to themselves but as dear to You. Please give them the boldness, perseverance, and joy to share the gospel all their days.

And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?

Esther 4: 14

Dear Holy King,
Please cause my children to recognize their honorable position which has been given to them through Christ. Help them to fully embrace the truth that they are ROYALTY, waiting for their heavenly home. And while they wait, give them the strong desire to fulfill every good work You have prepared for them to do.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke up on you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

Dear Burden-Bearer,
I pray that my children will respond to Your invitation of "come". Free to them of any kind of man-made religion; and cause them to find complete rest when "bound to Your yoke." May they always long to learn more and more about You.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and burst against the house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded up on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.

Matthew 7: 24-26

Dear Strong Creator,
I pray my children will "build their house upon the ROCK!" Give them this desire, dear Lord. Keep their heart and mind away from the foolish "offerings" of this world - outward appearance, success, power, prestige, temporary pleasure. Help my children to recognize these things for what they are, not what they appear to be. Give them a heart's desire for YOU ALONE, the rock of their salvation, their fortress, their deliverer.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5: 8

Dear Holy One,
I pray my children will have a strong desire to keep their hearts pure from the different, fleeting pleasures this world offers them. In doing so, may You open the eyes of their heart so they can see the beauty and wonder of who You are.