Day Thirteen: Having the Motivation for Proper Body Care

Lord, I lift up my children to You and ask that You would place in them a desire to eat healthy food. I pray this especially for David right now, who is in the picky toddler stage. I know that throughout their lives they will be tempted to make poor food choices and eat that which brings death instead of life. Help them to understand what's good for them and what isn't, and give them a desire for food that is healthful. Let them be repulsed or dissatisfied with food that is harmful.
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I pray that they be spared from all eating disorders in any form. By the authority given me in Jesus Christ (Luke 10:19), on my son's and daughter's behalf, I say "no to anorexia," "no to bulimia," "no to food addiction," "no to overeating," "no to starvation diets," "no to any kind of unbalanced eating habits."
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Lord, Your Word says, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Help them to see the truth about the way they are to live, so that they may be set free from unhealthful habits. I pray that along with the desire to eat properly, You would give them the motivation to exercise regularly, to drink plenty of pure water, and to control and manage areas of stress in their lives by living according to Your Word. Whenever they struggle in any of those areas may they turn to You and say, "Teach me Your way, O Lord" (Psalm 27:11). Give them a vision of their bodies as the temple of Your Holy Spirit.
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I pray that they will value the body You've given them and desire to take proper care of it. May they not be critical of it, not examine themselves through the microscope of public opinion and acceptance. I pray that they will not be bound by the lure of fashion magazines, television, or movies which try to influence them with an image of what they should look like. Enable them to say, "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things" (Psalm 119:37). Help them to see that what makes a person truly attractive is Your Holy Spirit living in them and radiating outward. May they come to an understanding that true attractiveness begins in the heart of one who loves God.
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Establish Your vision of health and attractiveness in their hearts this day, and permanently instill in them the desire to take proper care of their bodies because it is the temple of Your Holy Spirit.*
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Do the same work in me that I may be a good example to David and especially Elizabeth, since I am her mother. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God,

which is your reasonable service.

- Romans 12:1

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Therefore, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

- I Corinthians 10:31

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*Make this prayer your own! From the book, The Power of a Praying Parent. Ordering information at the bottom of the page.