It’s a good time to rerun this blog. A follow-up blog, “Resources for Praying for Your Children”, can be found in the September archives. Happy New Year to you all!

New Year’s resolutions…it’s amazing how three simple words cause us to shrug and roll our eyes, and maybe even cringe a little at the thought of something so seemingly futile and so powerfully guilt-producing.

We’ve all been there; resolving to lose weight, cook more, eat less, save money, spend more time with family, start exercising, volunteer, etc. There’s not a goal we haven’t strived for, yet there’s a mountain of opportunities we’ve yet to conquer.

As an annual tradition, we stand in the forefront of a new year and ponder, what will it bring? What do I wish for and (more realistically) what will I get? What will I actually do?

With great hopes for the future, a hectic schedule and little time to waste, moms are required to select their commitments wisely. So choose one that really weighs in and speaks to the desire of your heart. Shoot for a goal that’s not only truly worthy of your time, but also a guaranteed payoff.

I challenge you to pray for your children every day. One of the great aspects of this resolution (there, I said it!) is that it can be as easy — and flexible — as you need it to be. Plus, it’s always going to produce positive long-term benefits.

Okay, it sounds fairly straightforward, but we all know simple plans sometimes get tossed aside in the midst of a crazy day. That’s where the flexibility of daily prayer can keep you on track with your resolution, I mean, goal. You can make it happen any time during your day, any place, anywhere.

With a busy family schedule to manage, I’m all about convenience wherever it makes sense. I was delighted to discover a handy little prayer guide that identifies core issues relevant to the lives of our children, and separates them into seven, short daily prayers.

It’s pretty basic, yes, but it also suggests prayer requests that perhaps you’ve never even thought to ask. It can be a daily prayer you rely on as is, or it can be a starting point to prayers you personalize as your family grows and experiences the ever-changing world before them.

The following “Parents Daily Prayer Guide” is from Dickson’s Inc.

Monday: Ask the Lord to completely surround your children with emotional, physical and spiritual protection.

Tuesday: Pray that the Lord will strengthen your children’s faith and fill them with a passionate desire to want to see and know Him, His word and His will.

Wednesday: Ask the Lord to give your children godly wisdom in choosing their friends and peers, and to give them strength and courage to boldly take a stand for what is right.

Thursday: Pray that the Lord would renew your children’s mind, helping them to remain pure in their thoughts and deeds.

Friday: Ask the Lord to extend His blessing over the activities of your children, both academic and extracurricular, giving them alertness and clarity of mind. Pray also for encouragement in their defeats and humility in their victories.

Saturday: Pray that your children will be sensitive and compassionate to the needs of others, and that the Lord will help them act in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Sunday: Pray for, and seek blessings for those who are in authority over your children, asking the Lord to give them wisdom and understanding as they instruct your children.

This prayer list is taped to my microwave so I see it first thing every morning. Post it somewhere where it will catch your eye; the bathroom mirror, your car’s dashboard, or your daily calendar. It takes only a few moments to send your prayers to God for the benefit of your children.

The Bible encourages us, actually exhorts us, to pray:

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil. 4:6
• “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
• “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

As moms, our families are our first priority. As we readily embrace our responsibility to protect our children, what better tactic than prayer? There is no greater front line of defense.

Remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32.