Prayers for Day Eighteen
My
sons are 13 years old and 3 years old. Self-control
is almost non-existent in both of them. As I often remind them that they need
to control themselves, control their impulses, consider the consequences, etc., I am so thankful that “God
gave us a spirit not of fear but of
power and love and self-control.” (2
Timothy 1:7) I daily cling to the
promise that the One who began a good work in each of my sons will complete it
for His glory…and that the completion of that good work includes self-control
coming to reign in their lives!
Living a life of self-control is more than just
controlling impulses so that our home is less chaotic. Proverbs 25:28 tells
us that “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Self-control fortifies our inner being.
It builds a wall of defense around our inner man against the destructive
forces of evil.
Living lives of self-control is
counter-cultural. Our culture tells us
to super-size everything…from food to extracurricular activities to even church
& civic involvement. However, Paul
tells young Titus as he is beginning his ministry to “urge the
younger men to be self-controlled.” He goes on to remind Titus that our
Savior has shown us the way, “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and
godly lives” (Titus
2:12)
Look to Jesus.
His self-control in the wilderness fortified Him to be able to withstand
the onslaught of the enemy. Defeating
the enemy. That’s what we want for our
sons…and it begins with self-control.
Commit to praying the following prayers for your sons
or grandsons today.
Self-Control
May __________know that he is God’s temple and
that God’s Spirit dwells in him (1 Corinthians 3:16).
May
__________not let sin therefore reign in his mortal body, to make him obey its
passions.
May he not
present his members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present
himself to God as one who has been brought from death to life, and his members
to God as instruments for righteousness (Romans 6:12-13).
May
__________present his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,
which is his spiritual worship. May he not be conformed to this world, but
transformed by the renewal of his mind, that by testing he may discern what is
the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).
May
__________discipline his body and keep it under control, lest after preaching
to others he himself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Whether
__________eats or drinks, or whatever he does, may he do it all to the glory of
God (Ephesians 5:15).
Let not
__________'s heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the
day (Proverbs 23:17)
Remove far
from __________falsehood and lying; give him neither poverty nor riches; feed
him with the food that is needful for him (Proverbs 30:8).
Let the
words of __________mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in Your
sight, O LORD, his Rock and his Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
May__________have
a tranquil heart that gives life to the flesh (Proverbs 14:30).
May
__________be wise in doing right and stay innocent of any wrong (Romans 16:19).
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