It is time to let go,
to stand back and watch
as the young leave home
and go out into the world
on their own.
Bless them, O God,
in all their endeavors,
in their successes and failures.
Guard them from all harm and evil
and make them strong to resist temptation.
Lead them in your paths
that they may be the builders of life
and not destroy your creation.
Teach them your ways of justice
that they may care for the well-being of all
and not for their needs alone.
Guide them in their search for truth
that they may praise you in all they do.
Let them trust the love of family
to support them in their time of need,
to care for their hopes and dreams,
and to love them, no matter what comes.
Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We approach you in prayer thanking you for the many years you have graciously allowed us to play the role of parents who have acted on your behalf to nurture, care for, guide, support, love and teach our son/daughter___________________.
John birthday, snow, SS song 020Now that they have reached this landmark age and are ready to venture out on their own, we suddenly feel that our time together was too short. It is with mixed emotions that we prepare to send them off, feeling glad that they have reached this doorway into adulthood but also feeling a little sad that they will no longer be a regular part of our daily lives as they have been in the past.
We thank you for the future you have given to them to move into as they move out of our daily lives. Give us the grace to share in their excitement and optimism over their new-found freedom and all of the possibilities it brings. As they face the prospect of making their own decisions about life, please help them seek your guidance through prayer. When they make a bad decision, give them the grace to learn from their mistakes and find your good way to get back on the right track.
john uga condo 014We ask that you grant them the ability to care for themselves as we have cared for them since childhood. May they establish good health habits and good work habits. May they form new bonds and relationships that will give them a supportive community of friends and mentors who they can count on when we are far away. May you grant them wisdom in learning how to handle their finances and how to balance their work and their personal life. Teach them the value of rest, worship and prayer. Help them accept responsibility willingly and to take their commitments seriously. Give them the power to persevere when things aren't going their way and the power to overcome when they meet opposition and difficulties.
Show us meaningful and helpful ways to remain in touch with them. Remind them that we love them and that we are always ready to listen, to advise and to help in any way possible. Give us non-judgmental attitudes and listening hearts so they will feel comfortable sharing with us things that matter to them. Restrain us from trying to tell them exactly what they should do and re-train us to allow them to make decisions. Change our mindsets from that of a parent who has been in charge of their care for so many years into the mindset of one who is their refuge and a place they can come home to when they need nurturing, healing and solace.
Enlarge our hearts to love them unconditionally even when the conditions of our relationship get difficult. Keep us from trying to rescue them whenever things get tough. Instead, let us encourage them to solve their own problems so that they may develop their own toughness and inner strength to be resilient enough to move beyond setbacks, disappointments and failure and onto better things.
If it comes to pass in the future that they need us to step in and intervene in a crisis situation, grant us wisdom and discernment. Help us to continually respect their adulthood and to set healthy boundaries to keep all of us from becoming entangled in living situations that cause stress, resentment and prevent growth.
We now look forward with anticipation and joy to this new chapter in our family and in our son/daughter's life. May we all grow in grace daily and grow in love and appreciation for the wonderful gift that came the day you first made us a family. Thank you that it says in the Bible, “Behold I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) We embrace with faith and trust the new family situation that time has brought to us today, knowing that you will enrich all of our lives through this new adventure. We pray these things in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Gracious God,
you blessed me
with the gift of my child
and entrusted me
with his/her care.
Now he/she leaves this home
and begins a new life
apart from me.
Surround him/her
with good people
and watch over him/her each day.
And let him/her know that I will always be near
whenever he/she may need me.
Heal any hurts we may harbor with one another
and forgive our failings as we learn
to be in a new kind of relationship with each other.
And when the sight of his/her empty room
pierces my heart with sadness,
may I find comfort in knowing that my child is your child too,
filled with your grace and sheltered by your love. Amen.
Sacred heart please bless him and his fiance that they will be happy in their own home and love each other with your help please give him some mental lift as he gets very down sometimes thank you sacred heart of Jesus for protecting all my family
Dear Heavenly Father,
We approach you in prayer thanking you for the many years you have graciously allowed us to play the role of parents who have acted on your behalf to nurture, care for, guide, support, love and teach our son/daughter___________________.
John birthday, snow, SS song 020Now that they have reached this landmark age and are ready to venture out on their own, we suddenly feel that our time together was too short. It is with mixed emotions that we prepare to send them off, feeling glad that they have reached this doorway into adulthood but also feeling a little sad that they will no longer be a regular part of our daily lives as they have been in the past.
We thank you for the future you have given to them to move into as they move out of our daily lives. Give us the grace to share in their excitement and optimism over their new-found freedom and all of the possibilities it brings. As they face the prospect of making their own decisions about life, please help them seek your guidance through prayer. When they make a bad decision, give them the grace to learn from their mistakes and find your good way to get back on the right track.
john uga condo 014We ask that you grant them the ability to care for themselves as we have cared for them since childhood. May they establish good health habits and good work habits. May they form new bonds and relationships that will give them a supportive community of friends and mentors who they can count on when we are far away. May you grant them wisdom in learning how to handle their finances and how to balance their work and their personal life. Teach them the value of rest, worship and prayer. Help them accept responsibility willingly and to take their commitments seriously. Give them the power to persevere when things aren't going their way and the power to overcome when they meet opposition and difficulties.
Show us meaningful and helpful ways to remain in touch with them. Remind them that we love them and that we are always ready to listen, to advise and to help in any way possible. Give us non-judgmental attitudes and listening hearts so they will feel comfortable sharing with us things that matter to them. Restrain us from trying to tell them exactly what they should do and re-train us to allow them to make decisions. Change our mindsets from that of a parent who has been in charge of their care for so many years into the mindset of one who is their refuge and a place they can come home to when they need nurturing, healing and solace.
Enlarge our hearts to love them unconditionally even when the conditions of our relationship get difficult. Keep us from trying to rescue them whenever things get tough. Instead, let us encourage them to solve their own problems so that they may develop their own toughness and inner strength to be resilient enough to move beyond setbacks, disappointments and failure and onto better things.
If it comes to pass in the future that they need us to step in and intervene in a crisis situation, grant us wisdom and discernment. Help us to continually respect their adulthood and to set healthy boundaries to keep all of us from becoming entangled in living situations that cause stress, resentment and prevent growth.
We now look forward with anticipation and joy to this new chapter in our family and in our son/daughter's life. May we all grow in grace daily and grow in love and appreciation for the wonderful gift that came the day you first made us a family. Thank you that it says in the Bible, “Behold I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) We embrace with faith and trust the new family situation that time has brought to us today, knowing that you will enrich all of our lives through this new adventure. We pray these things in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
May the Lord be your strength and shield;
let your heart trust in Him, and be helped by Him.
May your heart leap for joy,
and a song of praise to Him be always in your mouth.
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV)