pray for your freshman

all you parents of freshmen out there, raise your hands -- woot woot! what a different time in our lives, right? our role in our child's life changed the minute that dorm room door closed behind us on move-in day. what didn't change is our responsibility to pray for that child as he/she adjusts to life with a bit more freedom.

there is a well worn list in my infamous red folder -- the list is actually dated August 1996 -- that I copied from a magazine article about being a praying parent. I wrote 'college years' across the top knowing that one day, just as my relationship with my child would change, so would the nature of my prayers.

i'm praying for....

safety. on campus, in the dorm, on the practice field, on the road as he travels to/from home.

godly friends. to encourage him, to pray with him, to hold him accountable, to show him good, clean fun.

ability to be all God made him to be. whatever he does, do it with all God gave him.

using God-giving talents. use them to make a difference in the lives of others. leave a good mark on the world.

sexual purity. save it for the spouse - God designed it that way. then you don't have to worry about all the other concerns that come with promiscuity.

wisdom. for making choices, for knowing what to do in all situations, for discerning the best use of his time.

there's no right or wrong way to pray for your freshman -- like Nike says -- just do it!