Mother’s Day is done and now we hit the pedal toward the end of the school year. As graduation season hits and kids move to the next grade level I often think back to all the days of when my kids were young. How are they growing and maturing? Are they learning all that we want? Are we positive role models and faith teachers?
Parents are Spiritual Guides
When the kids were young I spent time volunteering with the Sunday school teacher. She was amazing. She made me realize something profound. Our kids only spend 1 – 2 hours per week in church, Sunday school and/or youth group. Parents are really their spiritual guides. Isn’t that something?
OK, where do I even begin? Today I share 9 prayers you can pray for your children. I pray every night for my kids and these prayers can be a great start for you too!
For more resources on how to be a faith guide for your kids go to my website www.AuburnRaven.com and click on Faith.
1. Pray that your kids will make godly friends
Pray that God would grant your kids enriching friendships that will encourage them and grow them in their faith. Pray that they will spend time with those who are kind, humble, gracious, and wise. Pray that they will be influenced for lasting good by the people they spend time with.
Proverbs 18:24 Someone with many so-called friends may end up friendless, but a true friend is closer than a brother.
2. Pray that your kids will be able to tell the truth from lies
Pray that your children will know the truth and resist false teaching. Pray that they will be committed to remaining faithful to God’s Word. Pray that they will submit themselves to sound teachers and pastors who are grounded in Scripture.
Romans 12:2 Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.
3. Pray that your children will have wisdom and not fear
Pray that they will have guidance and direction in the midst of great uncertainty. Pray that God would guard them from fear and anxiety and make them more reliant on him. Pray that whatever he has planned for their futures would bring Him glory.
Proverbs 3:1-5, 21-25 Always remember what I have taught you; keep my instructions dear to your heart. If you do, they will be your guide to a long, healthy, prosperous life. Stay focused; do not lose sight of mercy and truth; never lose sight of God’s wisdom and knowledge: make decisions out of true wisdom, guard your good sense, And they will be life to your soul. Then each one of your steps will land securely on your life’s journey, and you will not trip or fall. Your mind will be clear, free from fear; when you lie down to rest, you will be refreshed by sweet sleep. Stay calm; there is no need to be afraid of a sudden disaster or to worry when calamity strikes the wicked, For the Eternal is always there to protect you. He will safeguard your each and every step.
4. Pray that your kids will love God’s Word
Pray that God would speak to your children through his Word and bless them with a delight in it. Pray that they would look to the Bible for guidance on every question, decision, and desire. Pray that they would get into Scripture daily, and that God would teach and strengthen them through it.
Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young person remain pure? Only by living according to Your word. I have pursued You with my whole heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.
5. Pray that your children will stand out from the world
Pray that your children will embrace their identity in Christ and wholeheartedly obey him even when it costs them. Pray that they would rejoice in their freedom from sin and shine brightly in a dark world.
Matthew 5:14-16 And you, beloved, are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, and the light illuminates the entire house. You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illuminate creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.
6. Pray that your children will fight temptation
Pray that your children will not cave to culture or crushing peer pressure but will stand firm against the temptations they face – sexual temptation, social temptation, digital temptation. Pray that your kids would joyfully welcome and even pursue accountability. Pray that they will not get stuck in despair but keep moving forward with hope.
1 Corinthians 10:13 Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.
7. Pray that your kids will endure suffering well
Pray that God would teach your children to trust in Him through their biggest struggles. Pray that God would use their circumstances to make their faith stronger and make your children more resilient.
2 Timothy 4:5 But you must stay focused and be alert at all times. Tolerate suffering. Accomplish the good work of an evangelist, and complete the ministry to which you have been called.
8. Pray that your children will stay in church
Pray that God would give your children a love for His people and a passion to participate in the community of the local church. Pray that they would prioritize church over work and friends and a thousand other trivial and temporal things. Pray that God would use the local church to equip, encourage, and give them hope for life.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.
9. Pray that your kids will rise up and do great things for God
Pray that God uses this next generation to do far greater things for his kingdom than your generation. Pray that this next generation learns from both the wisdom and the errors of our elders and boldly rises up to the challenges they will face. Pray for this next generation–for they are our next missionaries, pastors, professors, teachers, politicians, authors and parents. And they are our next church.
1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone belittle you because you are young. Instead, show the faithful, young and old, an example of how to live: set the standard for how to talk, act, love, and be faithful and pure.