I’ve been thinking about which Scriptures to pray over you during 2011, and God has shown me the passages “with your names on them.” So this post is for you, although anyone who desires can read along.

Nelson: Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  May God’s Spirit do awesome things through you during this year of  leadership in Youth With A Mission.

Lars: Ephesians 3:17-19a – “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.” May you know God’s love for you this year in new, energizing ways you’ve never realized before.

Linnea: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” As your measure of needed strength and endurance increases in mothering Skylar and Micah, may the Lord be your lavish sustenance while simultaneously protecting you from Satan’s plans to wear you out or discourage you.

Adam: Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” In the difficult work of being the family provider, anxiety can make a steady assault. May God’s supernatural peace envelop you instead.

Klaus: John 15:3-4 – “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” As you see increasing evidence of Christ’s daily presence in your life, may he cause you to become more and more productive and to bear eternal fruit for him.

Hans: Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” As you feel stretched thin, may you always find time to approach God’s throne to receive the perfectly measured grace that will sustain you.

Katy: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”  May God supply this list of essentials as you work with Nicholas, Evelyn and Thomas each day, causing your love for them to grow.

Louisa: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” As you continue to study the Bible full time, may all these purposes of Scripture unfold in your life as God equips you for whatever is ahead.

Birgitta: Proverbs 3:13 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” As you study diligently and make decisions, may God’s wisdom, so different from the world’s, be what guides and blesses you daily.

Skylar, Nicholas, Micah, Evelyn, Thomas: Ephesians 6:2a – “Honor your father and mother.” May each of you steadily grow in cheerful cooperation and obedience.

Praying for you at this end,

Mom/Marni/Grandma Midgee/Mee Mee

“Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)