Colossians Chapter 1

“…we have not ceased 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; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…”  (Colossians 1:9-11, ESV)

A Prayer for My Daughter

Lord, give my daughter a strong faith and love for You and Your people. May she richly bear good fruit and grow in the knowledge of Your word. Fill her with all spiritual understanding and wisdom so that she may know Your Will. Help her to live a life pleasing to You and worthy of Your Name. Bless her with all power, endurance, patience, and joy. ...

May You reign supreme in her life so that she may come before Your throne holy, blameless, and without blemish. Firmly establish her in the faith and may You reveal to her the Hope of glory and the mystery of Christ in her. Equip her, oh Lord, to teach Your Word with all wisdom and proclaim the truth of Your gospel. 

“No!” Defiantly, Little girl stared at me, her mouth set in a frown and her eyes rebellious. “No!” she repeated, shaking her head in mutinous vigor.

Correcting my daughter is not my favorite past time, but as a mom who takes her rearing responsibilities seriously, glossing over disobedience is not a choice. 

My heart sank as I sought to address and correct the defiant little heart before me. We were having such a good time. How did we get here? I wondered, thinking over my day with Sweet girl…

“Mommy, why is she singing, ‘Iamb clean?’” Music played softly in the background. A woman’s voice floated through the air. “I am clean,” the singer repeated, her voice intense with meaning.

I paused to listen. Gathering my thoughts, I spoke slowly, searching my mind for an example Sweet one would understand. “Why do we take baths?” I began, reaching out a hand to rub Little girl’s bare feet.

“To get clean!” she proudly answered.

“Yes, that’s right!” I smiled. “A bath washes the dirt off our bodies and cleans the outside of us.”

Little girl nodded.

“Well, Jesus cleans the inside of our bodies, our hearts, minds, and souls.”

A blank look covered Sweet one’s face. I tried again. “When you disobey Mommy and Daddy or do the wrong thing, how does that make you feel?”

“Not good,” Sweet girl answered soberly, “Bad.”

“How do you feel when you do the right thing or bless other people with your obedience?” I continued.

“Good!” Sweet girl smiled. “Happy.”

I leaned in close to Sweet one so she would not miss my meaning. “Well, when you disobey or do the wrong thing, Jesus can help you start over.”

Little girl brightened, “we ask for forgiveness!” she said with excitement.

“Yes,” I said, smiling, “we ask for forgiveness to start over. When we ask Jesus to forgive us, He washes our hearts clean.” I paused. “When you do something wrong and ask for forgiveness from me or Daddy and tell Jesus you are sorry, how does this make you feel?”

“Better.” she grinned, bobbing her head.

“After Mommy and Daddy have forgiven you and has given you your hugs, do you feel happier or more sad?”

“Happier!” Sweet girl bounced on her legs.

“That’s right!” I exclaimed, “We feel better and happier when we ask for forgiveness because Jesus washes clean our wrong decisions, mistakes, and sin and Jesus replaces all of that with happiness, peace, and joy.” I kissed Sweet girl’s head and smiled. “That is why the song says, ‘I am clean,’ because Jesus washes us clean from the inside.”

​Sweet girl lifted her little voice, “I am clean!” she sang in loud proclamation.

I jerked back to the present by the sound of Little girl’s small foot stamping on the hardwood floor.

“I don’t want too,” she said in stubborn defiance.

Silently praying for patience and wisdom, I started the parental task of correction.

After a more contrite little girl emerged, Sweet girl’s eyes brimmed with tearful repentance, “I’m sorry, Mommy, will you please forgive me?” her voice quavered.

“Of course, I do,” I reassured the little girl with a hug, “I love you no matter what.” Sweet girl buried her head in my side, using my shirt to wipe away her tears. Thinking of the conversation we held just hours before, I asked, “How are you feeling right now?”

“Sad,” confessed Sweet girl, “I didn’t do the right thing.” Her eyes filled again with tears.

“Oh, Sweet pea!” I hugged Little one close, “I forgive you sweetheart and Jesus forgives you too. Perhaps,” I paused, “now, might be a good time to ask Jesus to wash you clean.”

Hiding her head under my arm, Little one’s muffled voice cried out brokenly, “Jesus,” she pleaded, “please wash me clean!”

​Snuggling beside her, I held Little girl in my arms and hugged her close. 

Just as the song proclaims, ‘I am clean,’ so we are washed clean by the blood of Christ, who paid the ultimate price for our sins. His sacrifice was not out of duty or obligation, but one made from the deepest of loves and purest of intentions. I make mistakes and wrong choices every single moment of the day, but Jesus already knows this and He is not surprised. Rather than condemnation or eternal wrath, God already provided a way out, a way where we can lay down our poor decisions, wrong doings, and sins to be washed clean and made as pure as snow. All we need to do is humble ourselves before the one true God, lay before Him all that holds us captive and causes us unrest, and cry out for the love and forgiveness of Christ that washes us clean. Join me today, dear friends and parents, to pause in this very moment to invite Christ into your life, your heart, and your day and He will fill you with a joy, hope, strength, and peace that passes all understanding. 

A Prayer for Myself

Lord, help fill me with power, strength, endurance, patience, and joy this day. Make me new and wash me clean. May the bonds which hold me captive break loose by the power and redeeming love of Christ. For through your blood and by Your sacrifice, I am clean.