“They” – you know, the plethora of people who give you advice during pregnancy as a first time mom – were right. Sleep is something of the past. A newborn – even the most angelic of them all – doesn’t have a sleep schedule, making the nights long and sleep a dashing dream. What “they” didn’t tell me however is just how peaceful those midnight feedings and hours are. In the darkness of the room I can hold my not-so-sleepy baby in silence and wonder. Her eye are wide as she refuses sleep, but she is calm and content to be in my arms. What “they” also didn’t tell me is that these moments make for intimate times of prayer.
And these are my nighttime prayers for my little Ellie, my beautiful baby girl. I look forward to more sleep-filled nights, but in the meantime I give thanks for these carved out midnight prayer appointments.
My prayers for Ellie:
Let it be that when she walks into a room, it will smile.
Let her be someone who fills others lives with sunshine, joy, encouragement and hope.
Let her be a world-changer and a leader to her peers.
Let her heart be roped closely to Christ.
Let her eyes see with empathy and love.
Let her inner beauty outshine any external beauty and let her never doubt her loveliness.
Let her friends be uplifting and pure.
Let her confidence be grounded in knowing that she was created to be exactly who she is.
Let her always know how integrally and unconditionally loved she is by her parents.
Let her be patient with her tongue and cautious with her heart.
Let her smile be contagious and a gift that encourages and builds up others.
Let her innocence convert into wisdom.
Let her attitude be saturated in gratitude, kindness and goodness.
Let her mind be sharp and eager to learn.
Let her feet be bold, carrying her courageously to live a life worth telling a story about.
Let her words be words of life.
Let her thoughts be reflections of truth, goodness, and love.
Let her actions shine and overflow with the fruits of the spirit.
Let her sleep always be sound.
Let her find favor wherever she goes.
Let her see beauty in every small detail of the world.
Let her develop a life-long curiosity and love of learning.
Let her have a spirit of gentleness and grace.
Let her carry on the beautiful legacy of her great-grandmothers Ellen and Lucia after whom she is named.
Let her heart overflow with generosity.
Let her have confidence that she is never alone.
Let her sadness always be tinged with hope and faith.
Let her mind naturally favor optimism.
Let her never be so stubborn that she can’t see another’s point of view.
Let her heart see the beauty in every person she meets.
Let her have a deep love for truth.
Let her body be strong and healthy.
Let her be brave.
Let her never be ruled by her fear.
Let laughter be her constant companion.