Bear Tracks

One day last week while I was driving my son home from the school bus, I noticed bear tracks in the lightly fallen snow at the side of the road. I said, 'Wow! Everyone says we have a bear in our community, but I've never seen him. This is the first time I've even seen bear tracks."

Naturally as soon as we got out of the car, my son had to go and see the bear tracks for himself. I followed along behind him. We noticed how the bear tracks meandered along the edge of the road for a while. Then all of a sudden, the tracks went back and forth and in circles, all over one another. The bear tracks filled a circular area about 6' in diameter in the middle of the road. We wondered why the bear did this? Was he chasing a squirrel for an afternoon snack? We so often see squirrels prancing about in that very area. Then like nothing had ever happened, the bear tracks took a straight and narrow path into the wood beside my home.

After our fun discovery, when I was nestled warm inside my home, I couldn't help but think how those bear tracks resembled my experience of the previous few days. I had a small problem. The first day my mind meandered back and forth on which way to handle my problem. The second day I got very tense and confused, going back and forth in my head with my two options. The third day I took my problem to the Lord in prayer. It wasn't long before the right answered seemed so clear to me. I followed the Lord's lead and took the straight and narrow path to peace.

It's so simple...

 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
  All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
  Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
  Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.

 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
  Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
  Thou wilt find a solace there.

Back To School Prayers

For kids prayers are conversations between the Lord and themselves. Children need to seek the Lord's help, it comforts them. They need to thank him for their blessings, so they enjoy them. Prayer encourage children  to fulfill the Lord's plan for them by following His teachings. 

The following prayers are samples that will give your children food for thought as to what type of prayer they want to say to ring in the new school year. It is our duty as parents to guide them in the right direction, and then allow them the privacy to personalize their prayer.

Prayer for a Father in Heaven

Lord, thank you for my father.

It was a blessing to be his son.

My father taught me about Your love.

He guided me in faith.

He exemplified inner courage and strength.

I pray his soul rests in Your loving embrace.

I pray his spirit worships at Your feet.

I pray he knows how much I loved him.

I pray that someday we meet again.
 Lord, I pray for peace, for I miss my father greatly.

Amen

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Good Friday Prayer

A Child's Prayer

Wednesday night while starting to prepare for our Thanksgiving feast, I was pleasantly surprised to glance up and see my 9 year old son curled up in the chaise with head bowed, hands folded, eyes closed and saying a prayer. He normally says bed time prayers and prayers in Sunday school, but this is first time I've seen him pray without adult guidance.

When he opened his eyes and unclasped his hands, I asked him, "What did you pray about?" He said, "It's private." I thought, 'How right you are!'

It doesn't really matter if he was praying for the fierce winds to stop blowing, his daddy to arrive safely or some new toy he saw on TV. What is important is he's developing a personal relationship with the Lord. We parents don't really have to know everything. We just think we do, LOL! I know in my heart the Lord answers all our prayers as it fits into His plan.

Daily P R A Y E R Reminder