May 19, 2018

Our Confidence

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what asked of Him.”  1 John 5:14-15

We declare our trust in You Lord for all matters laid before Your throne of grace today.  Our confidence is in You, Almighty God, for increased visits and contacts between children and parents, according to Your will.  Father, such visits have been found to improve a child’s educational, emotional, and social adjustment to parental incarceration.  We pray for the bond of family to be maintained where it exists, and to be reconciled, where it has been broken, as Your will and Your timing determine.  We lean not on our own understanding, but acknowledge You God, to establish a straight path for the children of our city, paved with healthy communication between parents and children, more frequent visits as Your will and timing decree, and with honesty in all areas of the relationship – for the truth will set the children free.

We pray for Your Kingdom to come to our city, and Your will to be done in city streets, neighborhoods, the highways and byways of our city.   We entrust the community to You, most gracious God. These communities have seen increases in child abuse, neglect, and substitute care for children. 

Father, You see the children You have created for a plan and a purpose – may that plan and purpose for every child’s life come to pass, so that we may declare Your glory.  Lord, as we desire to do Your will, so too we ask that Your law of love and compassion be written on the hearts of parents and children as they face challenges; that that they are able to turn these into accomplishments, overcoming obstacles and barriers. May Your will, plan and strategy be revealed to leaders who rise up and teach the church how to minister to the broken hearted, bring healing to the bruised, and joy to the suffering.   We place our confidence in You for increased visitation for children with parents in prison.  May You direct the steps of volunteers into prison to challenge, equip, and strengthen prisoner-parents who want to become good and effective parents even behind prison walls.

According to Your will may godly mentors be called by You to befriend a child, and demonstrate the love of Jesus, that will help the child heal and reach towards restoration with their parent, and to support the guardian/parent.  All this we bring to You Lord, and pray nevertheless, not our will be done, but Yours.  We pray all these things in faith believing that Your will shall be done, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.