Praying Esther for Zoee...

In the past couple of months the Lord has really been working on me to spend more time praying His Word for people. His Word is powerful and spoke creation into existence. 

"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

~Hebrews 4:12

It has been one of the most encouraging things for my prayer life and my walk with the Lord to start actually praying Scripture for people. It helps me to remember His Word more throughout the day and it helps me to spend more time praying for my friends and family. When we were on our little trip to the Texas hill country I was reading through the book of Esther. Almost instantly I started praying for my little Zoee as I was reading about Esther. It was so refreshing for my faith to be looking intently into the Scriptures while also praying for my daughter. Zoee is such a joy but she does have a little bit of a "stubborn" personality which can leave me quite amazed at times! I love her passionate and loving spirit and pray the Lord will use us to help channel her spirit in a godly direction. Here are the things I was praying for her (and that I am continuing to pray for her and for the daughters of my friends) as I read through Esther ...

I pray that Zoee will...

~be bold when led by the Lord to do difficult things

~obedient to authority

~seek wise council 

~be beautiful inside as well as outside (I think she is pretty stinkin' cute =) ) 

~gain favor with others based on her good character and reflection of the Lord in her life

~be patient

~seek God earnestly and diligently

~lead others in peace, truth, and worship of God

I am thankful for the Word of God that gives us great examples of those who have gone before us and lived faithful and God-glorifying lives that we can aspire to. I am thankful for my little lady who continues to keep me seeking Jesus and who strengthens my prayer life without even knowing it yet =).