There is nothing more soothing to the soul than the releasing gift of prayer as a parent. I only have two years of experience in this parenting journey, but the more I learn about parenting, the more I learn just how little control I actually have. At times this can seem frightening and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be, thanks to the surrender of prayer. Prayer reminds me that God entrusted this little life to my husband and I specifically, and intentionally, and we are commissioned to do the best we can to love her and grow her every day – and then, to let God do the rest. And gosh am I grateful for the second half of that statement … ultimately God is growing this little girl as I do my human best to direct, nurture and love her along the way. For those days I feel frazzled, overwhelmed, uncertain or just exhausted from the repetitiveness of parenting, I turn to these new prayers I have written for my newly minted two-year-old, and I invite you to do the same:
Prayers for Ellie – Two Years Old
God, thank you for the brightness of my little one’s eyes – the way in which they sparkle as they take in the curiosities of each new day and each new type of play. Give her eyes that see herself as You see her – protect her from comparing herself to others and prompt her to see with confidence the beautiful future you have ahead of her. Let her know her great worth and value and never second-guess the beautiful spirit You have placed in her. May her eyes shine with love and light and be blessing in the lives of those she meets each day of her life.
Lord, as my little one sleeps, soak her heart in your love, that the purity with which she sees the world might run so deep in her that it becomes who she is and part of her gift to the world. Teach her that You are the source of all rest and all peace and as her brain grows and her mind processes her daily curiosities, ignite in her wiring a courageous creativity, that she might think and process in unique ways that serve others and this world.
Father, as my daughter grows in awareness of the world and the people around her, protect her heart. Let compassion be in the core of her heart and let her confidence come from knowing how deeply she is loved by You, so that, when others hurt her feelings or leave her out, she would find the strength and wisdom to be impervious to the pain. Grow her heart for others to be someone who is a friend to the friendless, who showers smiles and love to everyone she knows and who sees the needs of others before she sees the needs of her own.
God, empower my little one to be bold and brave in this world. Give her certainty of steps, surety in herself and confidence in her uniqueness and her place You have given her in this world. Rope her heart a deep desire to leave this world better than she found it and create in her a lighthouse of hope for those who feel darkness, loneliness and pain around her. Fill her daily with gentle touches of Your love that she might always know and feel your presence with unshakeable certainly and joy.
If you want more prayers for your children, check out my other “prayers for Ellie” posts:
Post #1: Baby Girl Prayers: http://bit.ly/1JXz7ow
Post#2: 10 Prayers for Your Baby: http://bit.ly/1Nv2L3q
Post#3: Prayers of Protection: http://bit.ly/1DTajwW
Post #4: Prayers for Prosperity: http://bit.ly/1NM0GQ2
Post #5: Prayers for Favor and Purpose: http://bit.ly/1RXm4Ji
Post #6: Prayers for Beautiful Boldness: http://bit.ly/2n08fvB