Jackie's Journey "Age is Just a Number"

Age is just a number, until its NOT!  I have currently lived 29,200 days; 4,160 weeks and 960 months! Probably 20 years of that was sleeping; 30 years of work; 17 years of screens/pixels; 3 years getting ready in the morning; 2 years doing laundry and 79 days of brushing my teeth!  With eternity in full view, the brevity of life glaring me in the face (and everywhere else), time needs to be treasured and there is no stopping the clock…

 I ask myself, “Is what I am doing worth dying for?”

 If not, it is not worth living for?

 We are called to live a “supernatural life”.  We do NOT have the power in ourselves to live it!  We need divine power.  That gift of power is given when we exchange it in unconditional surrender. My life purpose is not seeking a ministry but anticipating the fruit of a disciplined life.  In my early Christian life, I was introduced to the “terms of discipleship” and it changed everything.  A mortal (body) life will end, but an eternal life lives forever.

 We are to be stewards of the mysteries of God and each “man’s work will become evident and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor”. (I Cor. 3: 5-16) What opportunities has God recently given me to serve Him?  What earthly things take the majority of my mental energy in this season of life? Keeping eternity in view and our responsibility for an obedient life makes us wise and ready…

 Where do you see yourself in the scheme of age and mortality?

The edge of eternity is closer than you think…

“…For what is your life, it is a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

 Is what I am giving my time and attention to, given with eternity in full view?  Are my priorities temporal or eternal-focused?  Sacrificing the permanent on the altar of the immediate will end in a futile life span. 

 Being wise with HIS time and numbering our days, will give us a future and hope…

both now and in the time to come…

Let’s make this New Year 2023 the best one yet!

Ralph and I…New Years Eve 2022

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Keeping Current!"

When the concept for “The Princess Parable Series” came about, our purpose was to put in the hands of young moms, grand-moms, aunties, etc. a series of books that would introduce a little teachable princess, a biblical parable and a character quality that a child could identify with and aspire to become.  At the end of each book the “life-lesson” from the parable was expressed in the words of the Princess.  Each book became a teaching tool for moms.

 Keeping current with what is happening with what are children are being taught and what they are given to read is becoming increasingly difficult because of the speed with which we are being bombarded with information.  The fact and reality that we cannot keep up with what is being legislated, whether by state or federal governments, should set off every alarm system we have!  WE are commissioned to nurture and protect those given to us… and I fear for my grandchildren!

 Will good books with biblical truth become obsolete?  Will materials that carry our values, be available to us in the future? Our children are counting on us to deliver principles and values that are in harmony with biblical veracity. It is past time to step up to the plate and take a stand against the tsunami of disinformation being doled out in our local schools.  Our counter-teaching against all that is being thrown at us is more imperative than it has ever been!

 When you take God out of government, schools, communities…you have no truth, other than relative truth, which is that we each become our own God with our own truth!  What can we expect for the upcoming generations that are the future of His message and our society?   Cultural acceptance of ungodly teaching and behavior is destroying us, as a people and as a nation…

 We can rationalize and say it has gone too far and we have no hope of turning back the tide or we can stand with those who are in the fight to preserve our heritage.  Will you be one of those?

 There are multiple platforms that support biblical truth. 

Can I encourage you to be aware and be informed?

Jackie's Journey "The Princess Star!"

With the new telescope that far surpasses what we have seen in space before, Solar and star gazing has become an official pursuit.  Follow the perspective of a very bright little princess…

 There is a story of a little princess who anxiously waited for the day of the Christmas pageant.  She was so excited about her part that her parents thought she must be one of the main characters, though she had not told them what part she would play. 

 The day finally arrived and her parents enthusiastically entered the auditorium and watched as each of the children was called to take their place.  The shepherds nervously waited in the corner of the stage holding two sheep.  Mary and Joseph were placed near the manger.  In the back were the three Wise Men eagerly waiting with a small camel.  Each and every child was placed in position…except for the little princess.  She contentedly sat quietly.

 The music started and the director began the narrative.  “A long time ago, Joseph and Mary went up from Galilee to be taxed. It was there that Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him Jesus,” the narrator began.   “And when Jesus was born a bright star appeared over the stable.  That was her cue!  She quickly jumped up from her chair, picked up a large, sparkling star and walked behind the manger, holding the star up high for everyone to see.  It flickered in the lights and all eyes were drawn to baby Jesus in the manger.

 The story continues and finds the shepherds in the field with their sheep.  That was her cue…the little princess moved into position on stage, wiggling the shiny star to show the shepherds where to arrive at the manger.  When the director mentioned the Wise Men…the little princess quickly moved to meet them and lead the way to the Christ child.  Her face was beaming as bright as the star she was carrying!

 The play ended with a round of applause and a standing ovation.  In the car on the way home, the little princess was happily chattering, “I had the main part, did you see?”   “You did?” her mother questioned.  “Yes” she said enthusiastically,

 “I showed everybody how to find Jesus!”

 This could not have been truer!  Showing others how to find Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and to be the light that would draw them to Him has got to be the finest role we can play in life!

 May the Light of the Christ Child be your focus

this Christmas Season and throughout the New Year…

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Woman-Power!"

We have all heard and probably repeated the old adage which is the biblical proverb, “Where there is no vision, the people languish and perish”.  (Pro. 29: 18) I have been focused on the vision God has for my life since I was in college.  It wasn’t until I got to II Peter in the New Testament that I understood God has a designed vision for me that He makes available to any those of us who desire to be a godly woman, wife, mom, grandma, powerful in her influence, firm in her faith. 

 “He has given us everything we need to live a godly life…”

(So, there are no excuses for patterns of failure!)

 There are two powers in relationships given by God that dominate the world.  The first is the power of authority.  It’s not a choice, its positional.  The second is the power of influence, which is a choice.

 Which one is the greater or more powerful?

 The power of influence is the greater power because it is a choice and it chooses to have power over another person. Our family, friends and every other relationship is affected…either inspired or manipulated by our use of influence. We learn to appeal to persuade our children and others to make right choices. (Esther is a good example!) We’ve all heard of “woman-power”.  Have you ever thought about it?  The man was given the power of authority and the women the power of influence. (Gen. 16:3)

 What determines our influence?

How is our power manifested?

 For good or evil, we woman are influencing ALL THE TIME.  We are a letter and “we are known and read of all men”. (II Cor. 3: 2) Others are always watching to see the REAL us through our responses to life’s situations and our attitudes which result in actions. “The serene silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world, next to the might of God”. (Blaise Pascal) Holiness vanishes when you talk about it but becomes gloriously conspicuous when you live it!

 A good example (instead of a bad excuse!) is the most inspirational influence.

 What’s your vision for your family?

How are you using your power of influence

to see that vision fulfilled?

 As a basic principle, what we do in moderation our children will do in excess.

Let’s commit to using our power of influence for a life of godly influence,

 that others might speak well of Him because of us!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Inspiring Imprints"

My daughters, Christina and Kim in the hammock in our jungle house

 As a young missionary mother reading to these two little ones sitting next to me in a hammock in the middle of the Panamanian jungle, my heart yearned for books that would introduce my girls to bible-based, character-emphasized prince and princesses that they could aspire to become.  I would take every book I picked up and purpose to impose these two principles into the pages in terms they could understand that had eternal values targeted.  My two daughters, Christina and Kim, are now grown and have given me seven grandchildren!  Christina encouraged me for years to sit down and put on paper what I did to the stories I read in those early years.  Her cry for these books for her four little ones was my primary motivation.

The opportunities are unlimited when it comes to God building His character in us, and then, into the lives of these He entrusts to our care.  Understanding the need and exercising the steps of action needed to see them implemented is our challenge.  When you look at your children where do you see their primary need?  Taking into consideration their temperament, maybe the need for them to be more alert or to respond more quickly in obedience?  Maybe rebellion is the issue or selfishness?  Where would you begin to help the little prince or princess in your home? 

 Values are based on the changing opinions of what people or groups of people practice in their principles or ideals.  Character is based on universal standards that are time-tested and recognized as being ethically correct.  Character is written in every person’s heart and conscience (Romans 2:15).  Even though the basic truth of a character quality is understood, there is a need for further clarification on how to apply the truth in daily circumstances. 

I have collected positive character quality definitions for years because they describe pieces of the Godhead and assist in my personal spiritual exercise and transformation.  They helped equipped me to pragmatically instruct my girls, as we walked through daily activities, living in a culture very different than our own. In the village where we lived, the Kuna practice of polygamy and early marriages combined with witchcraft and a village witchdoctor opened up interesting teaching opportunities.

My granddaughters, Catherine and Alexandra

A few years ago, the oldest of these two little princesses in the hammock saw her two daughters, my granddaughters, Catherine and Alexandra (now 23 and 21), accomplish an extraordinary act of compassion in just a few days.  I was asked to wrap a collection of gifts, gift cards and get-well cards with money that they had gathered to give to Alexandra’s teacher at school.  Her heart had been challenged to encourage this young single woman, who had recently left her parents and siblings on the East Coast to answer a call to serve in our community here on the West Coast.  She had taken a daily six-hour cancer treatment three months earlier and had quietly gone alone for the last six weeks, not wanting to burden or inconvenience anyone else.  During her follow-up appointment, the doctors found the cancer had returned…aggressively!   Alexandra tearfully shared with her sister, Catherine, the sadness she felt.  Catherine, who was the school’s “Kindness Club” director, immediately joined hearts and hands with her sister, their mother (Christina), and many who heard of the need. Within just a few days came waking through my front door with a huge box-full of “encouragement” to wrap and be delivered by hand to this teacher.

The wrapped gift!

We respond to life according to our character, good or bad.  Our wrong responses indicate our need.  Our correct responses validate our victories.  For me, this was a victory of gigantic proportion.  Three generations clasping hands to compassionately encourage a hurting heart! Princess Charity in our Princess Parable Series was faced with the same choice my granddaughters faced.  Webster’s definition of Compassion is “together + suffering; deep sympathy, pity”.  “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17   Compassion is doing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts and meet the need of another.  Christ is the greatest teacher that ever lived and our example. His compassion for us carried Him to the cross!  Living outside our own self-life, being alert to another’s pain and not walking by without lifting a hand is our “Call to Action”.  This time of year, certainly invites acts of kindness!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "I'M A RESEARCH ASSOCIATE!"

As a young missionary mother in the jungles of Panama, I was told this true story…

 A few months ago, a young mother rushed up to me, fuming with indignation.  “Do you know what you and I are?” she demanded.  Then, in detail, she explained that the lady at the DMV had asked for her occupation and when she hesitated, the lady said, “What I mean is, do you have a job or are you just a……?

 “Of course, I have a job, she said, “I’m a mother!”

We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation…’housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder emphatically! (pause)

 Well, I forgot all about her story until the day I found myself in the same situation, this time at City Hall.  The clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like “City Registrar.  And what is your occupation?”, she probed.   Now, what made me say it, I do not know.  The words simply popped out!!

 “I’M A RESEARCH ASSOCIATE in the field of CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES!”

 The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid-air, and looked up as though she had not heard me correctly.  I repeated the title SLOWLY, emphasizing the most significant words!

 Then I stared with wonder as my pompous pronouncement was written in BOLD, BLACK ink on the official questionnaire!  “Might I ask”, said the clerk with new interest, just what you do in your field?” Without a trace of hesitation in my voice, I heard myself reply:

 I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t!), both in the laboratory and in the field (normally, I would have said indoors and outdoors!).  I’m working for my Masters (that would be my husband, kids, dogs, one cat…!) and I already have nine credits (2 daughters, 3 granddaughters, 4 grandsons!).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (I dare you to disagree!) and I often work 14 hours a day (NO!…make that 24Hrs).

 But the job is more challenging than most of the run-of-the-mill

careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather than just money!”

 There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice, as she finished the questionnaire, stood up and personally escorted me to the door!  I HAD SCORED A BEAT ON BUREACRACY AND I HAD GONE ON OFFICIAL RECORD AS SOMEONE MORE DISTINQUISHED AND INDISPENSABLE TO MANKIND THAN” just a mother!”

 Mothers are the first book read and the last book put aside in every child’s library.  Our children are our most valued investments. They are all that is left of us when we are gone.  There is nothing in life that can replace the warmth of our child’s tiny hand in ours or the absolute trusting way in which they look to us for reassurance!

 We can’t do it all… but, we can be careful to never sacrifice

the permanent on the altar of the immediate.

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Fairy Tale or Reality"

Since the beginning of time there has been a battle of good against evil. In our present day, we find our lives inundated with children’s books, novels, cartoons, T.V. programming and movies filled with magical fiction, romance, and fantasy with the all too predictable witchcraft and the evil, scary villain! A point in fact is the new face of this fight found in the fairy-tale princess phenomenon.

 The cry from the masses is met with a barrage of the supernatural and literary narratives brimming with dramatic imaginary story lines. This particular genre with its fairy-like spirits in ethereal, heroic and monstrous forms is captivating to children, young people and adults alike. Children are especially susceptible to its alluring charm because their worldview is literal and it speaks to their inner understanding of spiritual reality.

 We do have spiritual needs (issues of pride, anger, rebellion and selfishness, to name a few!) that are often beyond ourselves and we tend to fill the vacuum with “make-believe” to make up for the difference we feel we lack. We allow it to offer us a few moments of escape from the real battle with good prevailing, if only, momentarily.

 Most of us acknowledge the struggle and know we are going to live somewhere forever, but have little understanding of the what, when, where, why and how. The surge of fantasy-ridden books and films is an after-effect of this need and exposes a society, seemingly, without direction or defined purpose.

 From their earliest memories our little girls are swamped with a princess course that introduces them to an unreal world filled with wizardry and lacking strong moral themes with eternal values. They are asked to define love and romance by standards that are not true to life or a representation of clearly defined biblical standards. Our child is needlessly exposed to the illusion of love through the many Prince Charming’s that are so readily available to her in most story lines; however, she is not exposed to the truth of genuine love. She is caught in a quagmire of choices that offer her temporal values, but not eternal ones. Her personal identification with a fantasy character is deceiving on many levels because the charge to discern the good and evil is often obscured by wrong motives and intentions on the part of the “hero” in the story line. Often the attitude of the leading characters is questionable and the continual interjection of clairvoyance and magical fantasy is confounding. The child is left to choose from bad and really bad, instead of from good and bad. Neither choice is particularly clear, but the medium being used (book, film, cartoon, etc.) is “thought” captivating and attention binding. Both of these goals are shortsighted and not fulfilling for the long term.

 Living in a post-Christian era, we seek to carve out a more excellent and realistic milieu for our children, these little ones that are so literal and entrusted into our keeping for so short a time. We have found that Christian parents are seeking an alternative to the present princess culture trend in books and films presently available. Their main reason is that worldview influences all areas of life. Every exposure a child has (visual or auditory, etc.) is adding to their life experience and their worldview. Presently, how would you describe your child’s worldview?

 Articulating a biblical worldview within our sphere of influence is what The Princess Parables series is all about. They are written to strengthen the belief that God made our little princess special and designed her with destiny and purpose.

 The mission of The Princess Parables series is to introduce and encourage the disciplines necessary to step outside fantasy and into the magical realism and authenticity of a loving and accepting God who teaches finding contentment in serving others, not in serving oneself. Although written in fiction, each Princess story is based on fact. It teaches a specific character quality in the name of its Princess and takes the storyline from a Parable that was taught by the greatest teacher ever born. It has been specifically created to put a functional tool into the hands of young mothers (urban, suburban, rural, stay-at-home, teen moms, single moms and married moms), grandmoms, aunts, and teachers, each with a different lifestyle, but all who share a similar desire to be the very best power of influence they can be! The passion to meet the need of every person desiring to cultivate what God has programmed into her Princess potential has been a huge source of motivation and it allows parents to nurture their little ones into genuine greatness.

 The innocent imagination of a small child is a book yet to be written and images of truth, hope, loyalty, joy, grace, charity and faith are but a few of the myriad of opportunities lost when the exposure to truth is clouded and “synergized” with fantasy.

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Would the REAL Mom Please Stand Up!"

Etching by Michelle Akerman

 Where have all the real Mothers gone?  Dr. Brenda Hunter wrote, “It’s difficult to be a mother today.  At every turn, we are told how to exercise, diet, dress-for-success, find fulfillment in a career, be politically and philosophically correct and share tasks equally with our husbands.  Additionally, we are encouraged to rear good children on minimal time!  The ideal mother by todays standards, is one ‘who can do it all’”.  As family demands and responsibilities are changing, mothers are required to work harder at keeping proper balance between what is priority and what is not.

 Are we convinced that “she who rocks the cradle, rules the world?”

 Mothers are “the first book read and the last book put aside in every child’s library.”   There is no more influential role on earth than a mother’s role.  As significant as political, military, educational or religious figures may be, none can compare to the impact made by mothers on their children.  Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression and the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime.  Who else is anywhere near that influential??

 I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of seven grown prince and princesses. I had the privilege of teaching each of them to read and basic math. My first child, Christina, was born during Missionary Training Boot Camp where a world of unknowns was facing me with the unbelievable responsibility of a new beautiful child…who, by the way, was pure magic!

 “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required”. Luke 12:48

 A child is the most undeniably, magical gift given to us…and to us to whom it is given…much will be required.  No pressure…just a little harmless verse tucked away in Scripture that not only challenges us, but…calls us to action!

 That little girl brought such joy into my life I was sure my heart would burst!  She, also, brought a fear of failure because I knew me…the real me, inside, and I knew I could not do this job right.  When we talk about motherhood, we are talking about a celebration of our heritage…acknowledging that the only part of us that goes on and carries us into the future…our beliefs, our character, our philosophies, our ideologies is our children.

 Motherhood is the most significant investment we will make in our lifetime!

 “Without a vision, the people perish”.  The Bible is clear.

What is your vision for your child?

Do you believe that God has laid out a plan,

taking into consideration your child’s talents, abilities, and engiftments?

Do you believe God knows best?

Then the question is: How do we get in harmony with His vision

and plan and stop pushing our own?

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Warrior...or not?"

I’ve been listening to the news regarding the new possible “lock-down” in our state and the re-introduction of mandates because of the threat of yet another virus… “monkeypox”.  I don’t know about you, but I have not had the opportunity to relish the newfound freedoms, recently given, long enough to entertain the next round of implemented directives!

 With all the conceding and disorder in our world…our nation…our communities…our homes…and our families, we need a plan of attack! There has to be something we can do. 

We can’t solve all the evils, but we can focus on a God who is Sovereign and is in total control, and devote ourselves to effectively use the tool He has given us when entering battle and pray for our leaders.  “Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.”  The promise is that God will answer all prayers that are prayed in His will.

 Here are some key elements that are in His perfect will

should you choose to take up this challenge:

 1.     Know your own need.  Check your relationship with Him. Romans 10:9

2.     Confess your sin.  Psa.66:18; I John 1:9

3.     Forsake your sin.  Rom. 13:  14; Proverbs 28:13

4.     Know your God

        He has all power and authority Romans 13: 1

        He establishes governments   Romans 13: 2-6; I Peter 2: 13-19

        He knows how to humble the proud rulers Daniel 4:37

        He uses wicked rulers to chasten Jer. 5: 19-22

        He requires us to give an account to Him Hebrews 13: 17

        He commands respect to authorities. I Peter 2: 17

5.     Get the facts right. Proverbs 18:  13

6.     Resist the Enemy.  James. 4: 17

                      Recognize him

                      Ask God to rebuke him

                          Satan can be recognized by wrong thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and impulses which he plants in our mind that are contrary to biblical truth.

7.     Examine our motives by cleansing and purifying our secret longings, goals, desires, ambitions…

8.     Ask God to bind Satan in any attempt he would make to deceive those who are in authority over us.  Mark 3: 27

9.     Ask God to build a hedge of protection around our authority from those who would bring godless influences to us and our family.

10.  Express our thanks. Phil. 4: 6

 Will you join me in praying for our leaders

Satan laughs at our tolling, but he trembles when we pray!  Prayer based on God’s Word is the powerful weapon we can use today to touch the invisible foe.  It has been said that the people who are not praying…are straying.  No man stumbles if he is on his knees! 

 The world we leave for our children and grandchildren is dependent on our winning this battle.  We are soldiers of the cross, yoked together with the command to “watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 “Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer, except that which lies outside the will of God.” Anonymous

 Let’s step up to the plate and be the committed

Prayer Warriors that He has called us to be!

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Jackie's Journey "Time Out to Take Time!"

“Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer

except that which lies outside the will of God.”

Anonymous

God has said that He will answer those prayers that are in His will. This is a dedicated Mom’s prayer for her Prince and Princess that is in the perfect will of God.  Pray with me…

 As a Mom, Lord, seeking only Your will, I come to you on behalf of the heritage You have given me, to pray for their:

Salvation -Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they will obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2: 10

Growth in Grace – I pray that they will grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3: 18

Love – Grant Lord, that my children will learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them.  Eph. 5: 2; Gal. 5: 22

Honesty and Integrity – May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection. Psa.25: 21

Self-control – Help my children not be like many others around them, but let them be “alert and spirit-controlled” in all they do. I Thessalonians 5: 6

A Love for God’s Word – May my children grow to find Your Word “more precious than gold, than much pure gold; and sweeter than honey from the comb.”  Psa. 19: 10

Justice – God, help my children to love justice as You do and to “act justly” in all they do. Psa. 11: 7; Micah 6: 8

Mercy – May my children always be merciful, as their Father in heaven is merciful”. Luke 6: 36

Respect (for self, others, authority) – Father, grant that my children may show proper respect for everyone, as your Word commands. I Peter 2: 17

Strong Biblical Self- Esteem – Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are perfect, “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2: 10

Faithfulness – “Let love and faithfulness” never leave (my children) but “bind these two virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts”. Prov. 3: 3

A Passion for God – Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You.  Psa. 63: 8

Responsibility – Grant that my children may learn responsibility, “for each one should carry his own load”, to take responsible and not be blamers or victims.  Gal. 6: 5

Kindness – Lord, may my children “always be kind to each other and to everyone else.”  I Thess. 5: 15

Generosity – Grant that my children will “be generous and willing to share (and so) lay-up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age”. I Tim. 6: 18-19

Peace, Peaceability – Father, let my children “make every effort to do what leads to peace”. Rom. 14: 19

Hope – May the God of hope grant that my children will overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 15: 13

Perseverance – Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to “run with perseverance the race marked out for (them).”  Heb. 12: 1

Humility – Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to “show true humility toward all.” Titus 3: 2

Compassion – Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion. Col. 3: 12

Prayerfulness – Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they will learn to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Eph. 6: 18

Contentment – Father, teach my children to be grateful, “the secret of being content in any and every situation…through Him who gives (them) strength.” Philippians 4: 12-13

Faith – I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. Lu. 17:5-6; Heb. 11: 1-40; Eph. 2: 8

A Servant Heart – Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they will serve whole-heartedly “as if (they) were serving the Lord, not men.” Eph. 6: 7

Purity – “Create in (them) a pure heart, O God.” And let their purity of heart be shown in their actions.  Psa. 51: 10

A Willingness and Ability to Work Hard – Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, “as working for the Lord, not for men.” Col. 3: 23

Self-Discipline – Father, I pray that my children will develop self-discipline, that they will acquire “a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.” Pro. 1: 3

A Heart for Missions – Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psa. 96: 3

Joy – May my children be filled “with the joy given by yielding to the Holy Spirit.” I Thess. 1: 6

Courage – May my children always “be strong and courageous” in their character and in their actions.  Deuteronomy 31: 6

 Take time this week to appeal on behalf of your heritage…

 “And Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees.”

Anonymous

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.