morning intercessions

“There was a man in the country of Uz named Job.”
— Job 1:1

I was doing a study with Francis Chan this morning on the book of Job. The very beginning of Job’s story reveals something that has affected the way I pray for my children almost every day —

Job 1:4-5    His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Obviously, in the age of Jesus, I don’t make sacrifices for my kids. But I ask our Father every day to wash them in the powerful sacrifice that Jesus made on their behalf, to protect them from sin, satan, sickness, and sabotage in their lives. I plead with him to draw each of my children to himself, and to hold them fast. Because I love them so intensely, and desire that he would purify them, and give them great joy and the abundant life he promises.

And I’ll be praying that once again this morning, as the day begins.
If you’re a mom or dad, I’m guessing you’ll be praying that too.