Heavenly Father,
I come to You today with a grateful heart, lifting up my precious son to You. I entrust him to Your loving care and protection. I ask that You would surround him with Your angels and guide him in the paths of righteousness.
I pray for Your wisdom and discernment for him, that he would grow in understanding of Your Word and walk in obedience to Your will. I pray for Your grace and strength to be upon him, that he would stand firm in the face of adversity and not be discouraged.
I ask that You would bless him with good friends and mentoring relationships, people who will encourage him and speak truth into his life. I pray that he would develop a heart of compassion and a desire to serve others, and that he would use the gifts and talents You have given him for Your glory.
Father, I pray that You would shape him into the person You have created him to be and that he would bring honor and glory to Your name in all that he does.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Suggested Bible Readings
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Ephesians 6:4 ESV
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Isaiah 54:13 ESV
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Must-Read Christian Books
Desiring God
Piper unpacks "Christian Hedonism": that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, grounded in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Living the Cross-Centered Life
A call to keep Christ's cross at the center of our thinking, worship, and daily living.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Don't Waste Your Life
A passionate plea to live for Christ's glory rather than trivial pursuits.
View on Amazon
The Bruised Reed
A tender Puritan work on Christ's gentleness toward weak and struggling believers.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
A call to radical, everyday hospitality as a means of gospel witness and discipleship.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
Family Worship
A short, practical guide to leading your home in daily worship of God.
View on Amazon