Family Matters Blog » 31 Days of Prayer for your Children http://familymatters.net/blog Fri, 24 May 2013 15:08:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 31 Days of Prayer for your Children :: Download Version http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/03/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-download-version/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-download-version http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/03/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-download-version/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:06:37 +0000 FM Staff http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=6138 It’s finally here! We have compiled the 31 Daily Devotionals plus their images, Next Steps and Resources that we recommend for all of our readers AND the Bios of all guest authors into this ONE easy to read digital document for you to download. This version of 31 Days of Prayer for your Children is [...]]]>

It’s finally here!

We have compiled the 31 Daily Devotionals plus their images, Next Steps and Resources that we recommend for all of our readers AND the Bios of all guest authors into this ONE easy to read digital document for you to download. This version of 31 Days of Prayer for your Children is an interactive book that will take you online to view featured resources, social media and additional information about our authors.

We’re offering the download to anyone who is signed up for our Newsletter or Blog.  Click below to subscribe to the Newsletter and/or Blog and choose to recieve the 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children PDF. (A link to the file will be emailed to you shortly after you sign-up).

click here to sign-up: already suscribed? click here:
]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/03/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-download-version/feed/ 2 31 Days of Prayer for your Children…downloadable version http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-downloadable-version/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-downloadable-version http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-downloadable-version/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:00:53 +0000 FM Staff http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=6118 Due to popular demand of 31 Days of Prayer for your Children, we have compiled all 31 daily devotionals and images into ONE easy downloadable version for all to keep, use, reuse and share. Consider donating to Family Matters so that we can continue to offer resources like this to families around the world. 31 [...]]]>

Due to popular demand of 31 Days of Prayer for your Children, we have compiled all 31 daily devotionals and images into ONE easy downloadable version for all to keep, use, reuse and share. Consider donating to Family Matters so that we can continue to offer resources like this to families around the world.

31 Days of Prayer for your Children will be available for FREE download on Friday, March 1st.

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-downloadable-version/feed/ 0 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children :: Recap http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-recap/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-recap http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-recap/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:09:53 +0000 FM Staff http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5825 Yesterday we finished up our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children challenge with a reminder to always remember God’s amazing grace. We spent 31 straight days intentionally praying for our kids and God moved in amazing ways! We have had people LITERALLY all over the world praying intentionally for their children. We loved hearing your [...]]]>

Yesterday we finished up our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children challenge with a reminder to always remember God’s amazing grace. We spent 31 straight days intentionally praying for our kids and God moved in amazing ways! We have had people LITERALLY all over the world praying intentionally for their children. We loved hearing your stories of God working in your lives as well as in the hearts and lives of your children. Here are just a few comments we’ve received so far about how the challenge specifically impacted some of our Facebook Fans ::

“This has been such a blessing for our family! I can really see some differences already, especially in the way I think. I am so much more intentional about my prayers and how I handle situations that come up. I intend to continue doing this all year! Thank you!” – Nikki  N “God has definitely blessed, convicted and revealed to us in this month of praying for our children. He’s also allowed us to see ways in which we can pray for nieces and nephews and other children in our community! Praise Him this day and Thank Him! May He bless us and everyone in ways they’ve never known!!” – Mariah G “I printed your free download & made little prayer journals for my small group of moms… thank you for the freebie download!” – Liz S “This has already been a “game shifting” experience for me! I am reminded that by purposefully praying for my children, I am becoming more aware of them and their heart conditions. We have been praying for our 14 yo daughter for quite some time – seeking Godly friends for her, along with a positive outlet for the gifts and talents she has. It had been a season of praying without results. The week we began this intentional challenge, we began seeing God move on her behalf in Mighty and Profound ways. Yesterday, we experienced SUCH breakthrough!! I am grateful for the power of Grace working in my life as I continue to turn my focus from results to God, and trust Him for perfect timing!! We are eager to continue, and look forward with great expectation to ALL that God continues to do in us and through us!!” – Nanette B

 ”What Next?”

31 Days of Prayer for Your Children may be done but the good news is – we’ll still be here!The team at Family Matters is committed to providing encouragement through our blog for many years to come. Now that we have concluded the 31 Days of Prayer on our blog, we would like to share some ways that you can continue to use the 31 Days of Prayer or can share it with others.

1) Sign up to receive 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children by email. 

Whether you’re just learning about this opportunity or you’d like to continue praying for your children, this is a great way to be reminded of what to be praying for on a daily basis.  Each day will come straight to your inbox so you can stop right then and pray for your kids.  This only lasts for 31 days and starts the day after you subscribe.

2) Download our prayer calendar 

{Two Designs: Option 1 or Option 2}, hang it on your wall/fridge, and continue praying for your kids! 

3) “Like” us on Facebook

4) Subscribe to our blog 

Receive our most recent blog posts by email (3-5x/week)

5) Share your story with us!

We love hearing from all of you.  If God has used the 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children challenge in your life, we want to hear about it!  Simply fill out our contact form (or post a comment on our Facebook Page) and share your story with us!

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Spanish Edition Coming Soon!

As promised, the Spanish edition of 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children is coming soon!  Stay tuned!

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]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/02/01/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-recap/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 31 :: GRACE http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/31/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-31-grace/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-31-grace http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/31/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-31-grace/#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:00:24 +0000 Cody Kimmel http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5803 DAY 31 : GRACE  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - John 1:14  {ESV} Charles Wesley, on the one year anniversary of his conversion penned the great hymn “Oh For a Thousand [...]]]>

DAY 31 : GRACE

 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

- John 1:14  {ESV}

Charles Wesley, on the one year anniversary of his conversion penned the great hymn “Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” In one of the final verses, he described grace: “Harlots and publicans and thieves, in holy triumph join! Saved is the sinner that believes, from crimes as great as mine.” Charles Wesley understood grace. He understood that when God entered the world in Christ, unmerited favor, unwarranted love, undeserved mercy, and unending grace came with him.

God forgives a debt we cannot repay, he loves us as rebels, he pursues us as we flee, and revives our lifeless hearts. God does not work on a system of merit. God’s grace is the truth of God. If this is true, then why do we as parents treat our kids with a system of merit? Why do we make our kids earn our favor through their accomplishments, their talents, and their behavior? As a parent, I understand how easy it is to judge our children according to what they do, but that’s not the way God treats his kids. He treats his children with grace, not fairness. Today, thank God for the grace he gave us in Christ and ask him how to show that grace to your family.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Grace Based Parenting

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This is the last day of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

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Stay tuned tomorrow for a 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge recap and more info about the 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Spanish Edition!

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/31/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-31-grace/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 30 :: UNITY http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/30/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-30-unity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-30-unity http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/30/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-30-unity/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:00:22 +0000 Cindi Ferrini http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5795 DAY 30 : UNITY “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” - Col. 3:14 {ESV} One by one, the musicians in the orchestra seat themselves on stage – each warming up by playing scales, notes and parts of the music they’ve prepared. None of it sounds very good because [...]]]>

DAY 30 : UNITY

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

- Col. 3:14 {ESV}

One by one, the musicians in the orchestra seat themselves on stage – each warming up by playing scales, notes and parts of the music they’ve prepared. None of it sounds very good because everyone is doing their own thing. Soon, the first chair violinist enters and plays one note. EVERYONE in the orchestra tunes to that note and they are all “together” – but it is not until the orchestra conductor lifts his baton and directs everyone in the playing of the music, that it all comes together…in perfect harmony.

When we live our life through the practice of loving others, we are setting up all the players in our life to be bound together in a similar perfect harmony – conducted by the One (God) who orchestrates life.

Let’s pray that we can practice loving thoughts that transfer into actions to help our children realize and recognize the importance of loving others well. When they see us get along in our marriage, with our siblings, extended family, and friends, they will have the example they need to make the right kinds of choices to will help them live in harmony with others, too.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 30 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/30/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-30-unity/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 29 :: MATE http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/29/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-29-mate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-29-mate http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/29/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-29-mate/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:00:18 +0000 Chris Spradlin http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5790 DAY 29 : MATE  ”Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” - Matthew 19:5  {ESV} When my cousin was a young’en he knelt down by his bed, bowed his head and prayed this simple, heartfelt, life changing prayer… “Now I [...]]]>

DAY 29 : MATE

 ”Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

- Matthew 19:5  {ESV}

When my cousin was a young’en he knelt down by his bed, bowed his head and prayed this simple, heartfelt, life changing prayer…

“Now I lay me down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake.  Please GOD!  Save me a piece of that cake.”

So many parents teach their kiddos to ask God to give them a good day at school, to help them on a test or to take their headache away.  All great prayers.  But can you imagine what would happen if we trained our kiddos at a very young age to pray for their future mate?  Can you imagine what would happen if we prayed this with our kids but we also enlisted brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and grandparents to pray for your kiddos future mate?  Today, pray for your child’s future mate.  Pray that they would marry a wholly committed follower of Jesus.  Pray that your kids’ future mate walks in purity and pray that your kids’ future mate falls madly in love with Jesus.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 29 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/29/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-29-mate/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 28 :: MISSION http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/28/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-28-mission/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-28-mission http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/28/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-28-mission/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:59 +0000 Darcy Kimmel http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5784 DAY 28 : MISSION “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10 {ESV} “What is my mission in life going to be?” This is one of three big questions that every parent has the privilege of helping their child [...]]]>

DAY 28 : MISSION

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

- Ephesians 2:10 {ESV}

“What is my mission in life going to be?” This is one of three big questions that every parent has the privilege of helping their child answer. What is your child going to do with the God given gifts and resources God entrusts to them? You might have an inkling of what that mission in life might be even now or perhaps you have no idea what that child is going to grow up to do or be!

That’s OK because ultimately, that decision is one made in the heart of your child with the help of God. It’s our responsibility though to model to our child a life lived focused upwards toward God and outwards toward others. That way when they take on their mission in life, no matter what it is, they will be doing it for the benefit of others and for the glory of God. Lord, please help me live my daily life in such a way that I point my child toward a life that is lived for you and others.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 28 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/28/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-28-mission/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 27 :: MASTER http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-27-master/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-27-master http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-27-master/#comments Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:00:04 +0000 Cody Kimmel http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5778 DAY 27 :MASTER  “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15  {ESV} I’ve [...]]]>

DAY 27 :MASTER

 “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

- Joshua 24:15  {ESV}

I’ve always found it easy to read Old Testament passages about idol worship and false gods and think that it’s an Old Testament problem. Most of us don’t wake up every morning and sacrifice an animal to a hand carved statue in our backyard. But the truth is, idol worship is just as prevalent in 21st century America as it was at the time of Joshua. Instead of sacrificing animals to wooden objects, we sacrifice our families at the altar of wealth, success, and beauty.

Whether we realize it or not, there is a master of our home. There is no escaping the God given drive in all of us to serve something. I think Bob Dylan said it well when he wrote, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yeah, you’re gonna have to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” Today, let God be your master and pray that he would be the master of your home. Pray that your children would serve him and him alone, and that your whole family would turn from the myriad of 21st century idols constantly creeping into our living rooms, distracting us from our true king.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 27 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/27/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-27-master/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 26 :: SERVICE http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/26/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-26-service/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-26-service http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/26/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-26-service/#comments Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:00:02 +0000 Steve Rose http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5772 DAY 26 :SERVICE  ”Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4 {ESV} When my oldest daughter Katie was 5, I took her with our church group to [...]]]>

DAY 26 :SERVICE

 ”Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”

- Philippians 2:3-4 {ESV}

When my oldest daughter Katie was 5, I took her with our church group to serve in New Orleans.  2 years after Katrina had hit, areas of the city were still untouched.  Many people questioned my thought process, since New Orleans is such a “wicked” city, but I knew the possibility of positive influence on her from that trip would far outweigh the negative.  Now 11, Katie has recently returned from another trip with me, to San Pedro Sula Honduras this past December.

Making service a priority in your home starts with 2 things: 1) you must model it, and 2) you must intentionally place your children into situations where they can serve.  Don’t buy into the lie that they need to be 15, 20, or 25 to do so.  Kids naturally love others, and the early years are the most fertile to foster the attitude Philippians 2:3,4 speaks of.  Today, pray that God increase your eyes and ears to be made aware of service opportunities.  Maybe it begins with the neighbor across the street…maybe it begins with a trip.  However it begins, pray that God shows it clearly, and trust Him in the serving.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 26 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

]]> http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/26/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-26-service/feed/ 0 {31 Days of Prayer for Your Children} DAY 25 :: GENEROSITY http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/25/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-25-generosity/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-25-generosity http://familymatters.net/blog/2013/01/25/31-days-of-prayer-for-your-children-day-25-generosity/#comments Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:00:03 +0000 Stacy Edwards http://familymatters.net/blog/?p=5765 DAY 25 :GENEROSITY  ”Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:38 {ESV} Our children were made in the image of God. As parents, it is our [...]]]>

DAY 25 :GENEROSITY

 ”Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

- Luke 6:38 {ESV}

Our children were made in the image of God. As parents, it is our job to instill in them the characteristics of Him as well. In addition to being loving and kind and faithful, we want to raise up children who are full of generosity. It is God’s very nature to give generously and we, as His children, should do no less. We should be generous with our time, our energy and our resources. Nothing should be off limits when it comes to serving God.

Our prayer should be that we raise children who know what it means to give. We must teach them how to serve others in a “serve me” world. God does not withhold any good thing from us. His gifts are generous and His love is lavish. May we live lives of generosity in His name.

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 ~ Resource of the Day ~

Raising Kids for True Greatness

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This is Day 25 of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children Challenge.

Please be sure to follow along this month as we encourage parents to be intentional about praying for their children. Read all of our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children posts by clicking here.

We’ve also created a calendar (two color options) that you can download and print to keep at your desk, on your fridge or wherever you’ll see it and be reminded to pray.

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Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 1}

Click here to download 31 Days of Prayer for Your Children {Option 2}

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