Jesus said "Beware...don't look down on children..."

I noticed in this reading Jesus said
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father"
Ohhhh...so we better take care and teach ALL the little Children. Even more than that maybe we have a lot to "learn" from children.
Here is the Scripture to read:

Matthew 18
The Greatest in the Kingdom

1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[i] is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.[j]

10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.[k]

Praying for Children of All Ages

This photo is of Pop and Gigi with our children at the hosptial when our grandson was born! We pray not only for our children and grandchildren but other children as well! The other photo is of Gigi and granddaughter!

An easy way to pray for children of all ages is to pray for them from head to toe. It includes using the Bible to ask God's blessing on various aspects of their lives. Thinking, “Head to Toe” is an easy way to remember to pray at anytime of the day or night and in any circumstances because we will have stored up in our hearts passages of the Bible as we pray the scripture that pertain to “Head to Toe Praying”. The scriptures that we’ll use to pray work for all children, no matter how old they are or what they're going through.

We can begin by putting the verse on several index cards and posting them around the house and in the car. The 3”X 5” is easy to carry in your purse or in the shirt pocket for the men. When we pray the scripture daily will have us knowing the verse by heart in a matter of days. Now, you can see the scripture below, just fill in the blanks with the child's name and we're off and praying!


Mind:
Proverbs 9:9-10
"Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Prayer:
Father, please make ______ wise. Make ______ heart open to instruction that he/she might gain more wisdom. Teach him what it means to fear the Lord, for that is the beginning of wisdom. Grant him knowledge of the Holy One.

Eyes:
Proverbs 3:7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."
Prayer:
God, please guard ______ from being wise in his own eyes. May he fear you and find wisdom, strength, and understanding in you alone, not in his own capabilities. May he understand your holiness and resist evil.




Ears:
Proverbs 2:2 "…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding."
Prayer:
Father, please make _______'s ears attentive to wisdom. Deafen his ears to the call of sin; teach him to recognize your will and follow Your Word. Incline his heart to understanding.

Mouth:
Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Prayer:
I pray that ______ would speak only wholesome words beneficial to others. May his speech be appropriate and respectful. May it encourage those who are disheartened and bring faith to those who have none.

Tongue:
Proverbs 10:19-20 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."
Prayer:
I ask that _______ will learn wisdom and as a result, be able to hold his tongue. Keep him from wicked words. May he use his tongue to encourage others and teach them about You Holy God. Make his tongue like choice silver.

Neck:
Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Prayer:
I pray that love and faithfulness will not leave _____. May he bind them around his neck and write them on the tablet of his heart. Open his eyes to others' needs, making him quick to extend kindness. Bless him with favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.

Heart:
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Prayer:
I pray that ______ will watch over his heart with all diligence. Keep him heart pure. Keep him from being embittered by trials. May his heart be steadfastly set on loving you more than anything or anyone else.

Hands:
Psalm 24:3-5 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior."
Prayer: I pray that ______ would have clean hands and a pure heart. May he love you with all his heart, turning away from all that is false. Keep his speech and motives pure. Thank you for promising a blessing and being faithful to fulfill it.

Knees:
Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Prayer:
I pray that _______ will worship and bow down before you. May he love and fear you, honoring you as the King of his life. May he acknowledge you as his Maker and recognize that your love will never fail.

Feet:
Psalm 119:35 "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Prayer:
Father, please help _______ walk in your path. Cause him to delight in your commandments and follow you all his days.

YOU could be “asking” or “answering”
By Carolyn “Jo” Gower

Jesus told his disciples the good news and the bad news; best of all was the answer. The good news is that the harvest is plentiful and ready. The bad news is that the workers are few! Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matt. 9:37-38 (NIV)

When we look around us, we see that the harvest is truly plentiful, and the workers are few! However, we also see the good news. You may be the person praying for the lost or praying for more workers, or the worker in need of prayer; in many ways God is using you to bring others to Christ. Praying that God will open a door in our community so that Christ will be proclaimed is one way, just as we read about in God's word - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ...Colossians 4:3. Don't give up...keep on praying!

4:30 AM Today

This morning I awoke hearing my Granddaughter say "Gigi"...problem is she is back home today. Don't know why I heard her, unless I'm just having withdrawals from her...missing her precious presence in our home.

Anyway, I prayed...Lord are you waking me up to pray for Madelyn? Was I just dreaming? What is the deal? I got up went to the living room, pulled out my book titled "Prayers that Prevail for your Children", turned to the prayer called "Angelic Protection" {Hebrews 1:14} and prayed for Madelyn this prayer (part of that prayer along with some of my own thoughts):

" Holy Father, may the Angel of the LORD encamp around Madelyn right now and deliver her as she honors You with reverent fear, awe and respect.

Thank you for sending your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can be saved and protected as we live here awaiting His return to take us to heaven.

Thank you for giving Him power that is far greater than angelic power and a name that is more excellent than the name of angels.

Even so, I thank you, that You have made the angels to be ministering spirits who worship and obey Christ Jesus commands to serve and protect Your people that are heirs of salvation.

Thank you Lord for sending your Angels to protect Madelyn this morning." by the resurrection power of Jesus, AMEN

This morning was peaceful, quiet and close to the Lord Jesus. He is all in all, as the old song states - He is my everything! What a wonderful peace Christ gives us no matter what circumstance we are in today! Thank You Jesus!
Till later,
Jo

Pray for Children

FEET of Children…

July 3 – 6, 2008, Paul, Schell and Noah came to West Monroe for a few days. They stayed with us; it was so great to have them back home.

While they were here, I was holding Noah, and I looked down at his precious little feet (he is about 2 months old) and I prayed “Lord, please guide these feet – where Noah should go and what he should do for You oh LORD GOD of heaven and earth.

Then, I said “Schell, please take a picture of Noah’s precious little feet…isn’t that adorable?" So she did. Today, as I’m praying for my children and grandchildren, I began to think about the “feet” spoken about in the Bible; how do I pray for Hugh and I; for my children and grandchildren in regards to their feet? Sounds silly huh? But think about it for a moment…

“Feet” is mentioned in the Bible 262 times. Some of those times refer to the 'measurement' but often it is speaking of human feet. Many references are to “washing feet” but I began to read about how God took care of His people’s feet and discovered that when God’s people were wandering in the desert for 40 years not only did their sandals not wear out but their feet did not even swell. God took complete care of them…every detail. While we're here on earth...it is our "wandering in the wilderness" but we have nothing to fear because of the great God we serve...

{4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Deuteronomy 8:4 (NIV)}

PRAYER:Today, July 7, 2008, I pray Holy God…
You LORD are worthy to be praised, You alone are worthy! Thank YOU that You created little Noah (2 months old) and (6 year old) Madelyn and brought them to earth to be raised by Paul and Schell (Noah); Luke and Melissa (Madelyn). Thank you that you’ve allowed Hugh and I to be their Grandparents, please give us wisdom as we love them day to day.

Please give their parents Paul & Schell and Luke & Melissa a special measure of wisdom as they raise their children. Lord God I pray you’d protect all of them from the evil one; thank you that you surround each one of them with your protection and angels that are assigned to each of them. I pray that all Hugh and I tried to do to raise Paul and Luke for you would forever be in their hearts…that YOU LORD GOD would ever draw them to you so that they will lead their families close to You. I pray that one day we’ll all be in heaven together.

As I thank you Holy Father for their precious feet…My prayer is that you will guide those feet. May they never follow after evil but always after YOU LORD GOD, to Your glory and honor. You tell us in your word….
33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 2 Samuel 22:33-35 (NIV)

So I claim that promise in Your Word for Noah and Madelyn; their parents and grandparents! Thank You LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for all that You do for each of us. In Christ Holy Name I Pray AMEN

We wait in great expectation as the one and only true and living God answers our prayers for our children, grandchildren and all the children on earth. So that when this life is over our children and grandchildren will be able to say that Pop and GG’s feet followed God closely…like what we read in Job 23:10-12 (NIV)…
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Till next time, {GG} Carolyn 'Jo' Gower

Head to Toe Praying...

HEAD TO TOE PRAYING…
An easy way to pray for the children around you is to pray for them from head to toe. Simple to use…when you think of their “head” begin praying for their mind and so on. This works for children of all ages and no matter what their circumstance is in their life.

See the scriptures below to use in praying completely for a person...

Take one of these prayers that are made from a scripture and pray it consistently for a week or longer; you’ll know how long is best in your situation. Repeating it for a least a week will begin to store the scripture in your heart. You can even put the verse on several index cards and posting them around the house and in the car. The 3”x 5” is easy to carry in your purse or in the shirt pocket for the men.

Not only will the prayer benefit your child but you will be blessed because if you pray the verse whenever you think of your child, in a matter of days, you'll have learned the verse by heart. So you are not only praying but memorizing God's word.

Just fill in the blanks with the person's name and you're off and praying!

1. Mind: Proverbs 9:9-10 "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Prayer: Father, please make ______ wise. Make ______ heart open to instruction that he/she might gain more wisdom. Teach him/her what it means to fear the Lord, for that is the beginning of wisdom. Grant him/her knowledge of the Holy One.

2. Eyes: Proverbs 3:7 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

Prayer: God, please guard ______ from being wise in his own eyes. May he fear you and find wisdom, strength, and understanding in you alone, not in his own capabilities. May he understand your holiness and resist evil.

3. Ears: Proverbs 2:2 "…turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding."

Prayer: Father, please make _______'s ears attentive to wisdom. Deafen his ears to the call of sin; teach him to recognize your still, small voice. Incline his heart to understanding.

4. Mouth: Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Prayer: I pray that ______ would speak only wholesome words beneficial to others. May his speech be appropriate and respectful. May it encourage those who are disheartened and bring faith to those who have none.

5. Tongue: Proverbs 10:19-20 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."

Prayer: I ask that _______ will learn wisdom and as a result, be able to hold his tongue. Keep him from wicked words. Make his tongue like choice silver.

6. Neck: Proverbs 3:3-4 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

Prayer: I pray that love and faithfulness will not leave _____. May he bind them around his neck and write them on the tablet of his heart. Open his eyes to others' needs, making him quick to extend kindness. Bless him with favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.

7. Heart: Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Prayer: I pray that ______ will watch over his heart with all diligence. Keep him heart pure. Keep him from being embittered by trials. May his heart be steadfastly set on loving you more than anything or anyone else.

8. Hands: Psalm 24:3-5 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior."
Prayer: I pray that ______ would have clean hands and a pure heart. May he love you with all his heart, turning away from all that is false. Keep his speech and motives pure. Thank you for promising a blessing and being faithful to fulfill it.

9. Knees: Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Prayer: I pray that _______ will worship and bow down before you. May he love and fear you, honoring you as the King of his life. May he acknowledge you as his Maker and recognize that your love will never fail.

10. Feet: Psalm 119:35 "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Prayer: Father, please help _______ walk in your path. Cause him to delight in your commandments and follow you all his days.