Day 38 - Hearts of Contentment
Father God, We live in a culture that feeds discontentment and self-focus. I pray that You would strip away the enticement of temptations that falsely claim to make them happy. For contentment comes only from a place of rest and trust in You and Your goodness. So help my grandchildren to develop a heart (not just head knowledge) that knows who You are to them so that it is easier for them to say “no” to the voices that assert they need certain temporal things. May they learn to not compete, compare or complain. Satisfy them with Your lovingkindness that fills them with a joy beyond compare (Psalm 90:14). Let them find You to be the only source that satisfies their hunger and quenches the thirst in their souls (John 6:35). Grow and develop their perspective to recognize that only eternal things will truly bring them contentment (Philippians 3:20).
May _____________learn to be content in whatever circumstances they find themselves (Philippians 4:11). This type of contentment is fostered by a thankful heart, so Father, teach my grandchildren to always give thanks to You for all things and to know the peace that comes from Christ ruling in their hearts (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15). This is a hard lesson that I am still learning; help me to model this practice before them as they watch me navigate less than desirable circumstances. Enable my grandchildren to catch the habit of getting excited about simple things. May they live with yielded expectations. I pray that they can learn earlier than I have not to set their hearts on “just right” outcomes, but to live in the moment, receiving what You give and savoring it. May they not miss the simple joys that sprinkle every day because of misplaced hopes. I speak over _______________ that they will be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12), and so cultivate content hearts.
In the name of Jesus, the Bread of Life, Amen.