Barnabas

Barnabas - son of encouragement - welcome to the world!

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You don't know it yet but you are an incredible blessing, and incredibly blessed. A blessing because you are the gift of the one true God, the creator of the universe, to two of His humble servants. And blessed because you were given to two of the most beautiful people I've ever known. They will love and nurture you, pray for you, and put your hand into the hand of the King who will guide you through life.

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To Mum and Dad and the rest of us you are a new gift, but God has been waiting for this moment for thousands of years. I can imagine Him, with a twinkle in his eye he proudly announces to His Son, "see that child Barnabas... he's going to be quite a man some day." The King has never stopped thinking about you - how precious are His thoughts concerning you, how vast is the sum of them, like the grains of sand on a beach. I can picture Him announcing your arrival to His angels with such excitement. The joy and uproar in heaven at 1.45pm the other day would have been unbelievable. How do I know? Well I live on the other side of the world, but He woke me up with 4 prank calls / wrong numbers in 5 minutes at about 11.05-10pm my time (1.40pm your time) - right before you were born. My wife and I knew it was something to do with you and your parents, but didn't know what - I guess God just wanted a quick prayer, or for us to be awake when it happened - Barnabas had arrived.

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Now, I'd like to pray for you...

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God, I commit Barnabas Finn Askew into Your hands.
May he grow up healthy and strong.
I pray that he would be a man after Your own heart.
Give him the spirit of wisdom and revelation
that he may know you intimately
and may he be in constant communion with You.
Give him the courage to love and obey you,
no matter the cost, every day of his life.
And open up Your word to him.
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Bless his character with love, honesty, generosity, humility,
joy, determination, wisdom, and encouragement.
And may the fruit and gifts of the Spirit be abundant in his life.
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Give him many great friends who can share the journey of life
true friends that stick closer than a brother.
People that support him, challenge him, and spur him on in You.
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Prepare for him a Godly, beautiful and loving wife
prepare them both for each other even now.
Keep their hearts free of distraction and hurt
and may they love and serve each other their whole lives.
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Bless the work of his hands.
May it be fulfilling and rewarding.
Give him ability, success, passion and contentment.
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And as he grows, may he be a blessing to his family
and give them many smiles and much joy.
Let him be a baby that settles easily and sleeps through the night.
Bless his parents and keep them strong in You.
Protect their marriage and give them patience, perseverance and love.
And wisdom as they nurture and discipline their child.
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And now Barnabas
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you, and give you peace.

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Bless you Barnabas. Can't wait to meet you one day...