6 Prayers for a Girl Growing up Way Too Fast

My daughter, Gracie, turns six today. Six!

How can she be six? How can she already be six when just yesterday she fit on my chest as I rocked her to sleep? How can she already be six when I can still picture her standing by the front door with her Minnie Mouse, waiting for me to get home from work? How can she already be six and no longer need “Johnny B. Goode” to get to sleep? How can she already be six and too old to hide her toys in my shoes? How can she already be six, having outgrown strollers, highchairs, sippy cups, and Doc McStuffins?

Gracie turns six today. Six!

But she still races to be the first one to hug me when I get home. She still gives snuggles, kisses, and tackle hugs. She still loves to twirl, spin, and be thrown into the air. She still dreams of pallet nights and water parks. She still reaches for the moon when I push her high on the swing. She still believes my kisses can heal her hurts. She still refuses to go to sleep without goodnight hugs. She still says her brothers are her best friends. She still loves making cupcakes with her mommy. She still sleeps with Minnie Mouse, prefers Taco Bell over Pappasito’s, cries when she’s in trouble, laughs when she’s tickled, and she still calls me, “Daddy.”

So for this little 6-year-old girl, who’s growing up way too fast, and yet, just as I would hope, here are 6 things I pray:

I pray that Gracie would abound in love for Christ, her family, and others (Phil. 1:9).
I pray that Gracie would be pure, valuing purity all for the glory of Christ (Phil. 1:10).
I pray that Gracie would abide in Christ in such a powerful way that the world around her comes to believe that Jesus was sent by God (John 17:21).
I pray that Gracie’s heart would be filled with joy, regardless of her circumstances (Psalm 16:11; James 1:2).
I pray that Gracie would seek and find God’s will for her life (Colossians 1:9).
I pray that Gracie enjoys the peace of the Lord as He guards her precious heart & impressionable mind (Phil. 4:7).

Jonathan Williams is the founder of Gospel Family Ministries. He is also the author of Gospel Family. Jonathan enjoys this ministry alongside his wife, Jessica, and their three children, Gracie, Silas & Elijah. With a heart for families and the church, Jonathan also serves as the pastor of Wilcrest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.