How to Pray the Scriptures

Did you know the only training type request the disciples had for Jesus was, "Teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1)? Even the disciples struggled with prayer. Jesus then taught his followers the prayer we have come to know as the Lord's prayer.

Scripture is filled with prayers of the faithful, in both the Old and New Testaments. Prayers of petition, confession, thanksgiving, and worship.

One of the best ways to pray is to take a passage from Scripture and turn it into a prayer.

Here are a few typical parent prayers for your kids:

A Prayer for Salvation based on 2 Peter 3:9

Lord,
I know that You are a promise keeper. You fulfill your promises in in Your perfect time. You are patient with (child's name) , and you do not want him or her to perish. You desire to have my child come to repentance. Please draw (name) to yourself. Amen

A Prayer for Spiritual Passion and Protection based on Psalm 119:10-11, 89, 97,99, 103, 105,106 

Father,
Give my child a desire to seek You with all his/her heart. Place your word in (name) heart and mind. Your word is eternal, Lord. Draw (name) to Your word and stir a passion in him/her to mediate on your statutes. I ask that Your words become sweeter than honey to my child's mouth. Let Your word be a lamp unto (name) feet and a light onto his/her path. Amen

A Prayer for Character Development based on Philippians 1:9-11

God,
I pray that (name) love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that he/ she is able to discern what is best, pure, and blameless. Fill (name) with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. Amen

Pray God's word back to him. His word is powerful. His promises are true.

What are your favorite prayers that you have crafted from the Bible for your kids? 

With faith, hope, and love,
Lori Wildenberg
co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting 
author, speaker, licensed parent and family educator
Contact Lori for your next event, parent workshop, or parent consulting.
LIKE 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on Facebook

Let Your Child Read This Highly Controversial Book This Summer!

One eight-year-old autistic boy made it into the news recently when told he couldn't read this book during free time at school. And this controversial book is banned in approximately 52 countries (Note: I also found some information disputed this statistic.)

So what is this highly controversial and often misunderstood book?

The Bible.

The Bible is scientifically and historically accurate. 

BUT it was not written with those purposes in mind. For example: the word dinosaur is not mentioned in Scripture. (Although many think, me included,dinosaurs are spoken of in the book of Job 40-41.) Armadillos, raccoon, and kangaroos among many other living creatures are not mentioned either. Not being mentioned doesn't mean these creatures don't or haven't existed. Nor does it mean the Bible isn't true if they are not listed.

The writings in Scripture spanned three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. God's word was not written to be a world history book since North and South America, Australia, and Antarctica are missing. But the  history contained in the Bible is proven to be accurate.

The Big Black Book was written so we come to know God. 

It is God's love letter to the human race. It supplies strength for us to live and gives us the direction for us to live well. The Bible provides love, soul food, and direction for the human spirit. (Things I need each day.)

God's word is DAILY bread.

God says his word is living and active, true, and full of power. Here are some good verses to look up to see what the Bible says about God's Word: John 17:20, John 20:30-31; Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12.

So how can we go about digging into the Lord's word on a daily basis? 

Here are a few ideas that will help with personal study and some ideas that will help you train your kids how read the Bible:

1. Pick a time of day and commit to it but be flexible. If one day doesn't work out, figure out a time to work it in.
2. Choose one book or topic. If you pick a topic go to the back of your Bible , look at the concordance (looks like an index), and find the verses that match your chosen topic. Or you  can go to Bible Gateway and plug in your subject. Start small. Read a couple verses at a time. Make it DO-ABLE.
3. When studying your chosen verse or topic ask yourself: or your child:

• What is this passage about? (facts)
• What did I learn form this verse? (principles)
• How can I apply this to my life? (application)

4. Reflect and meditate on what was learned through out the day. Talk about what you read and what God showed you in everyday conversation.

Before you or your child start reading, pray.

Father,

Thank you for your Word. 

I pray you open my head and heart to the things you want to teach me (or my child). 

Amen

It's Memorial Day and summer is approaching. My structured Bible study is over. So...now I have the challenge of reading God's Word without the accountability of a group. I decided, I'm going to put 1-4 into action (with God's help of course!).

What tips do you have for  personal Bible study?

With faith, hope, and love,

Lori Wildenberg
co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting 
author, speaker, licensed parent and family educator
Contact Lori for your next event, parent workshop, or parent consulting.
LIKE 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on Facebook

Open or Shut?

“Shut down.” 

This was an expression my nephew used to get around his family’s rule of not saying, “Shut Up.”

Recently I heard a program on Christian radio where the man being interviewed said something like, “Scripture quoting people need to go away.” He and his family had gone and are still going through a huge and heart-breaking difficulty. Their son had been arrested for drug use. The young man was raised in a faith-filled home with Christian values and a strong family support system. In spite of that, he had become addicted to drugs and is now serving time.

Painful for all. 

“Bible versing” individuals are well-intended. (Have you noticed, often these words are delivered with a Cheshire cat-like smile and the obligatory hug?) But… the person on the receiving end feels as if he has just been smacked with a pious and judgmental sermon. Another hit to a person or family already bruised and beat-up. 

This man wanted those folks to –Shut down. 

I can relate.

There have been crises where I have yearned to hear God’s Word and cling to Biblical promises. Riding in the ambulance down the mountain- praying we get to the hospital in time. Sitting in the Trauma 10 Emergency Surgery Waiting Room-praying my child will come through the operation, holding my girl’s hand while she lay in her hospital bed recuperating, or sitting with my dad while he was breathing his last earthly breath. Those are the moments I have craved words from the Big, Black Book. In those spaces I desire to recall God's word and craft my prayers from Scripture to remind me of God’s goodness and His healing power.

Then the inspired Word brings hope in the midst of tragedy or sadness.

But… times when one of my kids is going through a trial-due to his or her own choosing and the rest of the family is in a place of suffering due to those choices, encouragement, at least for me (and for the dad on the radio), is not found in someone giving me “Godly advice” or casually spitting out a memorized passage.

Please… well- meaning Christian folks….shut down.

This may not sound very Christian but please don’t toss a piece of sermonized scripture at me.(Not to be arrogant, but I do know God's Word-like that dad- and His promises. And when I've been in those hard places, believe me,I have been seeking his guidance. And... frankly I'm hanging on for dear life.) Instead offer compassion and encouragement in the form of listening, asking how to pray, and offering to pray. Support my family and me by praying for protection for our marriage, faith, and family. 

When I am hurting, I need love not a lecture.

Join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Romans 15: 30b

and 

Let us encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:25b

What encourages you when going through a time of suffering? 

Leave a Legacy

Theme for January: Renewal and Resolution
Verse:

"By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-

and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father

because he considered him faithful who had made the promise."

Hebrews 11: 11

Mom's Musing:
Have you ever been bothered by God making Zechariah mute and deaf after he doubted Elizabeth would bear a child (John the Baptist)?  It has bothered me. Mary was confused about God's plans too but God was gentle with her. Why?
Recently I had an epiphany. Zechariah, a high priest, was intimately familiar with Abraham and Sarah's story. It mirrored his. Both couples conceiving in old age after a life of barrenness. Why not believe? But Mary, a virgin, this situation was totally unique. She was open to it, just puzzled.
If moms and dads can live a life of knowing what they believe and believing what they know, their faith will be authentic. Kids want parents to be real.
Parenting Tip: Resolve to dig into Scripture. Be renewed. Walk the talk and talk about the walk with your kids.

Shabby Chic

Theme for June: Unity
Scripture Verse:

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,

and every city or household divided against itself will not stand"
Matthew 12:25b

Mom's Musing:
Doing a project with another person can either unify or divide the participants. When my daughter came home from college, we tackled a task together. We shared the job of painting furniture. Her bedroom set (previously mine as a child) was transformed from princess style, white and gold to shabby chic, silver and black. Working, laughing and enjoying each other's company was great fun! Treasured time in the garage with black paint smeared on our faces will be a memory that brings a smile.

Parenting Tip:
Keep your perspective when working on a home project with your child. Remember enjoying the time together is even more important than the final product. Let it be a memory building experience-in a good way!