It’s important to pray for our children.
Of course, as parents we know that to be a part of our calling. We ask God to guide and direct their steps. To be with them in all they do. To love and protect them. To draw them close to Him.
As we watch them deal with adult issues in a challenging world, our prayers are the most important means of support we can give them. I’ve written about this before and know the principle to be true. Yet, my sons are going through some tough challenges in their lives right now and I’m spending more time talking with God about those trials and struggles as I seek His direction and protection for their lives.
Once again, I’ve gone back to a book that has been a source of personal encouragement and a reference for my own writing. In her book The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children, author Stormie Omartian gives specific ways we can pray for our children. I want to share her chapter titles with you because they suggest that as we bring our children before the Lord, we can pray that they will:
• See God pour out His Spirit upon them
• Develop a heart for God, His Word, and His ways
• Grow in wisdom, discernment, and revelation
• Find freedom, restoration, and wholeness
• Understand God’s purposes for their lives
• Work successfully and have financial stability
• Have a sound mind and a right attitude
• Resist evil influences and destructive behavior
• Avoid all sexual pollution and temptation
• Experience good health and God’s healing
• Enjoy a successful marriage and raise godly children
• Maintain strong and fulfilling relationships
• Be protected and survive tough times
• Walk into the future God has for them
As we consider these desires for our children’s lives, let’s ask God to show us areas where they may be struggling so we can pray more specifically for them. Sometimes our children will share their challenges. Other times, they may not do so. And yet, God will quicken our hearts if we are listening to Him and will prompt our conversations with Him as we bring our children before Him in our prayers.
I find that the more I release my concerns and fears to the Lord, the more I am then able to envision His power, grace, mercy, and love at work in my children’s lives. And as I celebrate the positive things that are happing with prayers of thanksgiving, my trust and my hope are strengthened as I anticipate how God will continue to care for them.
A passage from the Bible that speaks to me clearly right now with both challenge and comfort as I support my sons through their present challenges is found in Philippians 4:6-9.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
May God guide our minds and hearts as we seek to parent our adult children in a way that honors Him, supports them, strengthens our family ties, and draws us all closer to Him.
You can read more about this gift and responsibility in Chapter 7 of Secrets to Parenting Your Adult Child (Bethany House, 2011)—“Bring Your Children Before the Lord.”
