Crowded stores, empty shelves, and long lines greeted my husband today as he attempted to stock up our house.
“It’s so surreal.” He shook his head as he put away the few items he'd managed to procure. “I can’t believe it.”

My heart sank. With paranoia nipping at my heels, I wondered how careful we indeed needed to be. A friend had just informed me that it had been recommended that all clothes should be stripped off the body and immediately washed after venturing outside, followed by a thorough shower for the person. Suggestions to wash all canned goods and leave plastic shopping bags outside the home also rang in my ears. Moreover, the unprecedented combination of cancelled schools, children at home, job layoffs, businesses closing, and church cancellations were enough to rattle my bones. ...

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8, NIV

​Philemon 1:6

Oh Lord, bring up my child in Your love and grace. Help my little one actively shares her faith so that she will gain a full understanding of every good thing she holds in You. May Your love encourage her and bring her great joy. Make her useful for Your kingdom, oh God, and a beloved sister in Christ to all those she meets. Refresh her spirit, oh Lord, and bless her with a heart of obedience. May You hear her requests and answer her prayers with overflowing abundance. Prepare her a room in Your heavenly home and grant her great joy. ...

“Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless – not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:7-9

“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 3:13 (NIV)

​I pray for the future husband of my daughter. May he be of noble character, above reproach and FAITHFUL TO MY LITTLE GIRL IN MARRIAGE. Mold him to be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, and hospitable. Protect him from engaging in unhealthy self-indulgences and addictive behaviors. ...

​“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, . . ., that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. I Timothy 2: 1 – 2 (ESV)

Help my little one live a peaceful and quiet life, filled with Godliness and holiness that is pleasing unto You, oh Lord. Bring her to a saving knowledge of Your Truth so that she may know Jesus Christ as her great Mediator, and one true God. Use my little one as a herald of the gospel, spreading Your truth to all with whom she encounters. May she lift holy hands in prayer and worship to You in oneness and peace with the body of Christ. ...

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” (1 Thes. 4:7 NIV)

Oh God, please help my daughter and her future spouse stay sexually pure throughout the entirety of their lifetime, from the bloom of their youth to the end of their days. Protect them from impurity, perversion, and harm. Keep them from lustful temptation, and guard their eyes, thoughts, impulses, and bodies. Bless them with a faithful, loving, and lasting marriage that reflects the love and light of Christ. Help our little ones to live a life, holy and pleasing unto Yu. Make Your ways and Your instruction a delight to their ears and a joy to their hearts. May Your Word be a lamp unto their feet and a Light unto their paths. ...

​“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word and to present her to Himself as a radiant church , without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

May You prepare my daughter’s future spouse. Build him up to be a strong spiritual leader. Teach him to love my Sweet Girl as Christ loves the church. ...