Friday, December 14, 2012

pray big

Do you pray for your children?
My children are all in states of transition and I pray for them daily.


One is getting married in 6 months
One has moved across the country with his wife and is starting a new job
One has moved home to return to college and has chosen a rigorous course of study
One lives half way around the world raising two children in a developing country

Even though they are all young adults their needs are many.

This sermon last Sunday was what my spirit needed.

December 9, 2012
Pastor Lyn Olson
Philippians 1.3, 7-11
{listening to this sermon would be 20 minutes well spent}

More Venice Presbyterian Church Sermons


In the bulletin was this poem . . .

On Children
 Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

6 comments:

  1. Yes, I pray for my children, and I know that my mother has always prayed for them too. No matter how old, they are still my children and need the support. I don't have 20 minutes now, before work, but I will have this evening and will let you know what I think later.

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  2. Thank you for this gift of words.
    It is very helpful!
    This is one of those posts that I will revisit again and maybe again.

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  3. Yes, I do. Our three grown children are all living very different lives. Your post touched me deeply.
    xo Kris

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  4. Yes..I also pray for my grown children daily! Thank you for the nice post and good reminder. Our children really are not our own..they belong to The Lord. We are just all privileged to raise them.

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  5. Yes, I pray for my children, quietly . . . they don't need to know I do, but would answer them if they asked.

    Kibran has been a favorite of mine for many years. I like the words on Children and you might also like his words on Joy and Sorrow to share with your friends whose son died recently.

    Thank you for visiting me . . .

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  6. There is no higher honor than the privilege we have of praying for our children and grandchildren. You stated it all in such a meaningful way. It inspired me. Thank you!

    I want to wish you a Merry Christmas! You continue to be a blessing in my life.

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