August 24, 2009

Praying for Your Children

A few years back, there was this very cute commercial for office supplies that featured a mom or dad skipping through the store dropping paper and pencils into the shopping cart. As the kids were dragging themselves down the aisles, the parents were absolutely giddy as they anticipated the start of school. With school starting in just a few weeks, that might be the emotional picture at your house right now too!

As you get ready to send your most precious gift from the Lord back to a classroom, it occurs to me that now might be a great time to focus on how you pray for your children. Rather than just praying the generic “God bless and protect my Johnny….” may I suggest some very specific prayers that you can be praying for your children? It is the idea of identifying particular scripture passages and using those words to communicate your heart to God.

To pray for your child’s salvation, you might pray…

“Lord, remove the veil from _____’s eyes so that he/she can see the light of the gospel. Shine your light in his/her heart to give him/her the light of the knowledge of your glory in the face of Christ.” (II Cor. 4:4-6)

Or, “Lord, I pray that ____would confess with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord and that he/she would believe in his/her heart that you have raised Christ from the dead. Cause _____to call on your name and save him/her.” (Romans 10:9-13)

To pray that your child would learn to love God’s Word, you might pray…

“Lord, let _____ keep your words and store up your commands so that he/she will live. Cause him/her to guard your teachings as the apple of his/her eye, and let them be written on the tablet of his/her heart.” (Proverbs 7:2-3)

To pray that your child would learn to esteem others and build up God’s kingdom, you might pray…

“Lord, let _____’s light shine before others, that they might see his/her good deeds and praise you, our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Or, “Lord, cause ____ to follow you and make him/her a fisher of men.” (Matt. 4:19)

To pray for their character, you might pray…

“Lord, cause ____ to fear you, since this is the beginning of wisdom. Cause him/her to know you, and to understand your perspective on any situation. Add years to his/her life and give him/her the reward of the wise.” (Prov. 9:10-12)

These are just a few examples of the hundreds of passages that can be used to pray scripture on behalf of our children. Regardless of their age, our sons and daughters desperately need to follow the Lord with reckless abandon. And, we can help by faithfully praying for them. Search the scriptures the next couple of weeks and find those precious passages that will help you focus on their particular spiritual need.

It is so much better than just mumbling…”God bless Johnny….”!

Warmest Regards in Christ,

Sherry L. Worel

Stoneybrooke Christian Schools