From the book How to be a Praying Mom, by Jeannie St. John Taylor, published by Hendrickson publishers. 

Dear Lord,

     I don’t want my children to be bullies. Give them compassionate hearts that strive to treat others the way they want to be treated. Help them be kind to others – known for their gentle and gracious spirits. Enable them to see the good in other people, but give them sufficient wisdom to eschew the evil around them.

     Protect them from bullies who would see their kindness as weakness and wish to harm them. Protect their bodies from the pain those bullies want to inflict. Protect their spirits and emotions. Help them know how to respond if they are treated badly. Help them endure the hateful words without allowing the accusations to enter their hearts. Let them be examples of Jesus.

     Help them recognize the changing forms bullying can take as they grow older. Make them refuse to make cruel jokes at others’ expense. Keep them from sarcasm and all other put-down language. Make them encouragers whose words delight the people around them.

     I ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.

Supporting verses

“Be kind to each other.” Ep. 4:32

“Do for others what you would like them to do for you.” Matt. 7:12

Inspired by Rick Renner’s thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13 in Sparkling Gems from the Greek:

O God,

Please give us the wisdom and strength to function in your agape love for others, even when they hurt us.

Clear our minds to see them through your eyes so we won’t take up an offence at anyone.

Give us a love that covers the flaws of others rather than seeking to expose them -- love that shields and safeguards them.

Keep us loyal and faithful, never surrendering, prepared to “work it out” with those who offend us no matter how much time or energy is required.

Guide us to stay by the side of those who need your help, bearing their burdens with them. Keep us from throwing up our hands in despair over actions or attitudes that distress us.

Teach us to hope for and expect the best in them. Instead of assuming failure or a bad result in someone’s life, help us anticipate everything good for them.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus, amen.

Supporting verses . . . 

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” Proverbs 10:12

 

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4 -7

Holy God, Almighty Creator of the Universe, 

I bless my friend with the blessings given to us by your Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

• I bless you with the assurance that you belong to God.
• I bless your heart to relax in the love of the Lord, knowing that nothing can separate you from him.
• I bless your emotions with the comfort and joy of Jesus’ presence.
• I bless you and your family with God’s peace that defies understanding.
• I bless you with rejoicing and the strength to take every thought captive and turn your worries over to God.
• I bless your mind with the wisdom God freely gives.
• I bless you with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
• I bless the work of your hands.

Supporting verses:

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Romans 8:16

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39

“I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.” Isaiah 51: 13

“And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:4,6

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5

“We have not stopped ceasing to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9

“Commit your work to the LORD and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

O God of Heaven and Father of Jesus Christ, 

 We praise you for your love and faithfulness – your unfathomable love that follows us wherever we go. But though down deep we believe you haven’t stopped loving us and you will fulfill your purpose for us, we fight fear when so many things seem to be going wrong. And right now the entire earth seems to be in turmoil

Please keep us from fear today.

Open our eyes to see the ways you are working through the disasters wrapping around the globe and difficulties in our own lives. Help us stop worrying -- because we know we are still safely in your hand and you will fulfill your purpose in our lives. Give us a fresh sense that it isn’t all about us, it’s about you. And we are part of your plan. Help us follow and obey you with joy, Lord, as we return your love. We ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Supporting verses:

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138: 8

“If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139: 8 –12

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91: 1, 2