Birthday Blessings

This past weekend we celebrated our oldest daughter's 3rd birthday. The weekend was filled with cake, presents, balloons, singing, dancing, and all the excitement that comes along with this special time in a child's life. It was also a time of reflection on the joy this little girl has brought into our lives these past 3 years and of what's to come in her life and ours as a family.

At a recent study, I had heard a mom tell how she selects a specific Scripture to pray over her children each year on their birthday and daily until the next year when she chooses another. I thought this was such a wonderful idea and have decided to start doing this for our girls. So, this year we will give Selah an additional gift, one that is not unwrapped and played with but is significant and special just the same. The gift of consistent and faithful prayer over her life.

In selecting a Scripture verse just right for her this season in her life, I looked for one that spoke of growing in knowledge of the Lord as she is getting to that stage where she learns something new every day and is able to better understand who Jesus is and our relationship with Him. There are so many wonderful benedictions in Scripture and prayers from the apostles to various groups of Christians, but my heart was led to Philippians 1:9-10 to be the verse we would pray throughout this year for Selah. We will print it out, decorate it and frame it along with a current photo of her (for a scrapbook/keepsake through the years), and hang it above her bed so that we will be able to read it as we pray each evening.

Image found on Google images

Do you have any birthday traditions in your family? Would this be one you are interested in starting? Even if it will not be your child's birthday soon, you can start this now. Our little one turned 1year old in January, but we will start praying her verse now as well. Committing to pray for our children is a priceless gift that will produce lasting fruit that will long outlive any toy or game we can wrap up!

Dear Heavenly Father,
I again thank you for the gift of my children and pray Your will be done in their lives. Please help me to commit to praying for them daily and throughout each season as they grow. Through your Spirit, please lead us to the places in Your Word that will reveal how we can specifically pray for each need and desire. May we become prayer warriors on behalf of our children, committing their lives to You, and surrendering ourselves that we may be filled with Your perfect wisdom in our day to day parenting. May Your will be done in their lives and ours, Father. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.