Parents' Prayers For May

May 5  Bless the work of their hands

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:10-11)

Lord, bless the hands of our children. May they use them to serve others and to do the work of God. May their hands help the poor, comfort the hurting, and even entertain angels among their guests. May those who meet them receive warmth and love. May their hands never be used to harm others, and bless their hands to be strong and supporting.

Wherever these hands go, may a messy place become organized, may the sick receive comfort, may the needy be served, and the rough places be made beautiful. May their hands be like the hands of the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31. Give them hardworking and busy hands. May their hands be used creatively and bear much fruit. May their hands write beautiful messages from the Gospel to share with others.  We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

May 6  Bless their feet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7)

Lord, bless the children's feet so they may become messengers of the Gospel. May your will guide the paths of their feet so they may bring you glory wherever they go. May their feet never stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. May their feet go forth to comfort the poor and the outcast. Bless the places where these feet stand.

Help them to learn from Abraham, who walked out into an idolatrous world to follow the Lord. May their feet obey God so they may come out from darkness into the light. Help them not to follow Jonah's example. His feet went wherever he wished, not according to God's command. May their feet go forth to bring you glory.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

May 7 Bless them with health and a long life

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" -which is the first commandment with a promise- "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Lord, we pray that our children may have life, health, and longevity, which only you can give them. Provide them with good health to enjoy fellowship with you. Give them the blessings of a long life as they learn to obey and love their parents. May the blessings of health and a long life dwell with the children. May their health be used to serve God and to serve their country.

Lord, also bless their mental health. Help them to be sound and well balanced in mind and body. We live in a world where injury is unavoidable, but may they be restored and have complete healing. Help them also to comfort other people's injuries. Bless them to live out their natural life span. Protect them from illness and accidents so when they die, they will have had a healthy, full life.  We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

May 8  Bless their vocation

Bless all his skills, O Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Smite the loins of those who rise up against him; strike his foes till they rise no more." (Deuteronomy 33:11)

Hallelujah! Thank you that we can enjoy fellowship with you today. Thank you that we can enjoy your presence. Father God, we pray for the children that when they grow up, they may know the vocation to which you have called them. May they be faithful stewards of God in their workplace. Give them good health and wisdom in their place of employment and help them to meet spiritual coworkers. May their profession be used to further the Kingdom of God. May they offer you the fruit of their labor so it may be used for mission work. May they also take part in proclaiming the Gospel in this way.

Lord, please don't let them feel like slaves to their work, but give them joy in all that they do. Remind them of the Lord's Sabbath rest, even as they work. May they never neglect time with their family because they are too busy. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.