O Father, foolishness surrounds us on a daily basis.  The thoughts, attitudes and behaviors of those who do not walk in your ways parade before us day after day.  The “wisdom” of the foolish confronts us at work and school, in relationships and through the media.  We pray that our children and grandchildren grow in their ability to discern Wisdom from Folly, that they would not be led astray down the path of foolishness.

Proverbs 9

13 The woman named Folly is brash.  She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

The voice of Folly in our culture is loud, crying out to our children and grandchildren through television, music, public education and friends.  She speaks her deception even through people whom they respect.  She beckons them, calling them to live lives of relativistic morality and selfish self-fulfillment. We could go on, but you know her strategies better than we do.

May our children and grandchildren not walk in blindness to the ways of Folly.  Open their eyes to see clearly where Folly leads.  Grant them discernment to recognize wise-sounding Folly as still Folly.  May the taste of foolishness in their mouths be bitter and unsatisfying, leaving them with an insatiable thirst for Wisdom instead.

Father, thank you for placing people in the lives of our children and grandchildren who will impart and model Wisdom and good judgment.  Thank you for enabling them to learn from observing the ways of the foolish, so that they will not have to repeat those mistakes.  Let Wisdom, knowledge, understanding and good judgment be their quest. With their wise choices, grant them favor to lead their generations towards you and the righteousness you provide.  May they become godly leaders who lead with Wisdom.  

Finally, Father, may they disdain the voice of Folly.  May they laugh at her, regardless of the source through whom she speaks.  Let our children and grandchildren seek Wisdom, pursue Wisdom and follow Wisdom.  Let Wisdom be their Lord!