Willows by the watercourses and trees planted by streams of water are on my heart and mind today…the first day of school for the 2011/2012 school year.  Joshua is sprinting into 6th grade (gulp) and Gabrielle is skipping into 4th grade.  My heart beats with so many prayers, dreams and emotions today.  And so I am laying them all at His feet.      

Like Christian parents everywhere, what Jim and I desire most for our children is that they walk in His truth, abide in His Word and know that He is their portion, their satisfaction and their dwelling place.  We want them to embrace and enjoy eternal life now.  “This is eternal life:  that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  John 17:3  


So I offer this prayer now and each day for our children…that they would be like willows by the watercourses.  Recording it here at Joy In The Truth, journaling my heart’s cry to God, I trust Him to hear and answer.

Father God, pour Your living water on Joshua and Gabrielle.  Pour Your Spirit out on them and on their descendants.  Pour out Your abundant blessing on our offspring.  By Your grace and power, let them spring up among the grass like willow by the watercourses.  All for Your glory and delight, God. 


Let their trust and confidence be in You alone, God.  Cause them to be trees planted by the Living Water, beautifully sending out their roots by your streams of life.  By Your strength and sustenance, flourish their leaves to always be green, even when the heat comes.  Because the heat will come.  Be their shade, their cover and their strong tower, Lord.   In the dry seasons of life, continually bear vibrant fruit in their lives, Lord…for Your renown.


Let their roots reach toward the Water for life and vital nourishment.  Make their hearts wise by reverencing You , Your Word and Your Truth. Let their lips only speak right things that honor You.  May they honor you with their hearts, minds, bodies and lives. 


Let them be like willows by the watercourses.  Thank you, Lord.  We love you.  We reverence You and depend on You.  In the magnificent name of Jesus, Amen. 

“My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.”
      Proverbs 23:15-16