7 Prayers That Work

Dear Lord, You know I've got a big couple of weeks coming up.  My children are leaving the nest in a variety of ways.  Whether first time, second time, or last time--it doesn't really matter. There is a stabbing pain when my kids move away. Release, pride, gratefulness, worry, and then loss,  which tries very hard to morph into panic and desperation. (Smothering and helicopter-ing seem like options, even though I condemn it but secretly want to do it.) My emotions are going crazy, so I know that my feelings and thoughts cannot be fully trusted. I must lean into you only. Worry makes me assume the worst. Loss makes me feel rejected. Panic pushes my loved ones away. (Read a blog about losing your kids to college here .) Control my thoughts, Lord. Speak truth to me, and help me hear you. Help me to focus on your love and grace to me, not my feelings of loss or worry. You've got this. You've got me. You always protect, always draw near, always...

Oh, Lord, My heart is heavy, and my anxiety is heightened, so my soul looks to you. Only you can help me to rest in your plans and your protection for my college student as he returns to school. I lift up my college student to you and place him into your care. Guard his mind from harmful influences, from secular reasoning and humanistic values, from fundamentalist and judgmental attitudes that create pride and harden hearts. Holy Spirit, speak daily into his heart and mind, reminding him of truth and life. When he is bombarded with secular philosophies and agendas, give him intuition and question truth to seek answers from your Word. Strengthen his courage to stand for justice and righteousness in a world gone crazy with hate and violence. Surround him with a Christian community and friend group (even one person, Lord!). Help him to make deep friendships quickly with students and teachers who will edify and encourage him, who will not degrade or deride him, but wi...