My prayer for my daughter

My daughter is leaving once again for college in a few weeks.  But this time, instead of living in campus housing, she'll be living with a group of girlfriends off campus.  As you might imagine, this gives her father and I a variety of reasons to panic.  But when my heart gets overwhelmed, I head to God's Word. First, I reminded myself of 2 Timothy 1:12 (the same verse I clung to the day she got on that big yellow school bus for the first time):  "But I know the One in whom I trust.  And I am sure that he is able to guard that which he has entrusted to me until the day his return."  

Second, while praying for insight, the Lord reminded me of 1 Corinthians 6:20:  "You are not your own, you are bought with a price.  So, honor God with your body."  I went to my computer and prayerfully outlined what I believe this verse means for a 20 year old sophomore in college.  I've listed these standards below believing it helpful to any parent OR any believer who'd like some motivation to apply this verse (tweak the 3 phrases to fit your time-of-life).

“You are not your own…”  You are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works HE prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10, emphasis mine).  Remember sweetie, God’s Kingdom purposes for you should be your primary focus this year (and for the rest of your life!).  It's easy to forget this call on your life and begin to create your own "kingdom purposes."  Making sure you surround yourself with believers whenever possible will be of vital importance to your ability to not just "do the good works he's prepared for you to do" but to keep your kingdom in perspective.

“You were bought with a price…”  He was wounded for your rebellion.  He was bruised for your iniquities.  The punishment the brought you peace was on him and by his wounds, you’ve been healed (Isaiah 53:5, emphasis mine).  God paid for your soul with his son’s blood my darling.  Embracing this reality every day will cause you to gladly turn your heart back to the kingdom purposes God's prepared for you (and for the girls you'll be living with).

“So, honor God with your body…”  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God (1 Corinthians 6:19, emphasis mine). Remember honey that you'll need to discipline your body like an athlete, training it to do what it should do (1 Corinthians 16:9 emphasis mine).  Our bodies must be trained to serve purposes higher than mere self-fulfillment. Practically, for you this means:

• Your academic studies should fill the bulk of your free time.  Remember, this is your job at this point in your life; do it "as unto the Lord."
• Healthy eating habits need to be considered daily lest you slip into a lifestyle of fast food and no veggies!
• Any sip of alcohol is against the law (thus against God’s law) until you’re 21 years old.  Once 21, you can come to terms with God's desires for you with regards to this most sensitive issue.
• Vanity and self-adoration is contrary to God’s word.  Know who you are in terms of what God says about you, not what others say about you.
• Should a guy come into the picture, your purity is your most prized possession.