We know that we are supposed to pray to God every day, right? But do we realize the power that we unleash when we pray?
Raising kids can be a most humbling experience. It can also be one of the most rewarding things that a person can do. But one thing is for sure. It cannot be done alone. Unfortunately, the little guy or gal that makes his way into your life does not come with instructions. And even if he did, they would be way too vast to read!
But here’s the good news. The One who created these littlest creatures also wrote the instructions on how to raise them up. And you have access to not only the instructions but also to the power to carry out the instructions through praying to God not only when they are young, but when they are grown. He delights in helping you complete the task he has given you in raising up mighty warriors for His kingdom and mentoring them throughout their lives.
You may be thinking, “Oh sure. I pray for my kids. I give their names to the Lord every morning.” Fantastic! Praying for a person draws you to them more than any other act you can do. But I wonder what might happen in their hearts and ours when we pray specific proactive prayers for their future. Whether your kiddos are 8 or 48, you have power to affect their lives through prayers to our Father. (Speaking from someone on the upper end of that age scale, I thrive knowing that my mom prays for me!)
So here’s the thing. There is no list of perfect prayers to pray. Each parent knows the heart of their child better than any other. But just to get you started, I will share a few prayers that I pray for my kids. I try to root my prayers in scripture so that I can keep a check on my intentions. I think sometimes our prayers can become a bit selfish – what I want for my kids or how their lives will reflect on mine. But I want to make sure my prayers align with what God is already doing in my kids’ lives or what He has planned for their future.
So here goes…
Faithfulness
I pray that my kids will exude faithfulness in whatever part of life they are in. Friendships, marriage, parenthood. But most importantly a faithfulness to God himself. And I pray that when there are doubts or places where they stumble in their faithfulness that the Lord himself will be faithful in picking them up and reminding them of his faithfulness to them.
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
I Samuel 12:24
A Discerning Heart
I pray that my kids will be able to pick out the true things above all the confusing racket of the world. Truth is becoming harder and harder to define in our world. There are so many opinions on what truth is, but I pray that the Voice of Truth will be louder than all other voices.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10
Hunger
There are so many things that people want in the world. But I pray that what my kids hunger for most are the words of the living God. That they seek out what is really true from those words even when other wants or desires are flashier or seemingly more exciting. I pray that not a day goes by that they do not seek out some truth from scripture, whether by physically picking up a Bible and searching or drawing from the reserves of Scripture in their memory.
I always obey his commands. I love the words from his mouth more than I love my food.
Job 23:12
Knowledge that Matters
No, not being smart or knowing facts. But I pray that my kids will know how vast God’s love is for them no matter what. Love from a parent is deep. But as human parents, we blow it in showing love effectively at times. But love from God is fierce. I want them to forget all the times I have failed in loving them completely and only see love for what it truly is — the unconditional, all-encompassing love that comes from the embodiment of love – God himself.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:17-18
Clear Vision
I pray that my kids have eyes that see others as Jesus sees them. Hearts of compassion for people that do not know Jesus or for those who know Jesus but have forgotten how much He loves them. I pray they have opportunities to share the love of Jesus so that others can see what they have been given.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
Some days it seems we do not have the strength to do much more than the everyday tasks that take us from sunrise to sunset. However, it is so very important to seek the help and the power of the one who can strengthen the hearts of our children. When we feel powerless to finish strong, we can know that God will father our kids in greater ways than we could ever dream.
I encourage you to create your list of prayers for your kids. Write them down. They will change over time, but take all that you envision for your kids to God and let Him work in them.
What is one specific prayer you pray for your kids? Share in the comments so that we can all benefit.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, remembering that as members of the same body you are called to live in harmony, and never forget to be thankful for what God has done for you.
Colossians 3:15