I recently finished reading {for the 2nd and probably not the last time} Ginger Plowman's book, "Don't Make Me Count to Three." Like most parenting books, it was great and I didn't agree with everything but came away with a lot of good stuff. But, it was an appendix that really struck me, and that is what I want to share with you today.
To pray for our children directly from God's Word is to pray in harmony with God's perfect will for their lives. It is to bind up our shallow and vain desires and unleash the wisdom and power of our mighty Lord. When we pray from God's Word, we surrender our foolish misconceptions of what is best by acknowledging that God's ways are not our ways. To pray from the Scriptures is to seek the will of the Father rather than the will of the parent.
Why should we pray?
Prayer is a command of God - "Be joyful always; pray continually; giving thanks to God in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Prayer draws us near to God - "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?" (Deuteronomy 4:7)
Prayer releases God's power - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)
I have talked before about how I like to write out Scripture for the purpose of meditation and memorization. This would be a(nother) good list to write out...
What should we pray?
Pray that our children would come to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
Pray that they would honor and obey us as their parents as well as those in authority over them.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Hebrews 13:17
Pray that the Lord would surround them with godly friends and role models.
2 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 27:17
Pray that the Lord would implant into their hearts a hunger and thirst for him.
Psalm 42:1-2
Pray that the Lord would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they might know him better.
Ephesians 1:17
Pray that the eyes of their hearts would always be enlightened in order that they might know the hope to which he has called them.
Ephesians 1:18
Pray that they would always follow the truth and reject the lies of Satan.
Proverbs 22:3
Titus 2:11-12
Pray that they would bear much fruit for God's glory.
Galatians 5:22-23
Ephesians 2:10
1 John 3:16-18
Pray that they would flee temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Timothy 2:22-26
Pray that they would use their gifts and talents to honor the Lord.
Proverbs 16:3
1 Corinthians 10:31
Pray that they would have freedom from fear as they trust in the Lord.
Psalm 56:13
2 Thessalonians 3:16
2 Timothy 1:7
Pray that they would keep themselves pure for their future mates.
1 Corinthians 10:8
Hebrews 13:4
Pray that the Lord would bring godly mates into their lives.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Pray that they would take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Philippians 4:8
Pray that they would become more like him.
Romans 8:28-29
We must realize that every blessing, every trial, and every heart-breaking event has been filtered through his hands of love. We must have full confidence in God's sovereignty.
Study your children and know what is going on in their lives so you will know how to pray specifically for each one of them. Ask your children how you can pray for them. Pray the Word of God for your children. Pray out loud with them. Pray often. Pray conversationally as though you are talking to someone in the room with you. Pray everywhere - indoors, outdoors, driving in the car, feeding the cat - so your child realizes his Heavenly Father is always available.
Prayer will not only draw you closer to God, but it will draw you closer to your children. Encourage your children to pray about everything. Assure them that God will faithfully meet their every need!
linking up at The Better Mom and Good Morning Girls
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1 comment:
This was beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Going to pass this along to my mommy friends.
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