Children imitate what they see modeled, and we need to be an example of praying adults for our children. I remember seeing my father pray every morning and remember him praying over us a children and even as adults. If we are hope to see our children become men and women, who know the importance of prayer and make prayer a daily practice in their lives, then as their parents and grandparents we need to be setting the example. How can we do this? Luke 18:1–8 contains a great parable on persistent prayer that must have been for parents. It is encouragement to pray regularly. We are to bring every concern, dream, and desire about your child to God in fervent, persistent prayer. We are to pray offensively. Ask God to protect our child daily from evil influence. Also consider asking God to help you spot your child doing things right so that you can encourage him in making right choices. Pray defensively. From time to time we would feel that one of our teens might be deceiving us, but we could never be absolutely certain. In those situations we asked God to reveal deception. Lastly, I encourage you to pray with your child. It’s easy for prayer to become an exclusive dialogue—you and God, but why not make it a special moment with your child to build relationship and fellowship with you and the Father.
The Father wants you to talk to Him about your child. James 5:16 tell us, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” We need to remember that our children and grandchildren will not become prayer warriors overnight, but prayer can becomes a vital part of their lives when we become praying parents!
Enter into Prayer for our Children
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed on me. Most of all, thank you for this wonderful child/children that has/have taught me more about you than anything else you have done in my life. I have seen them grow in you since the day you blessed my life with them. I have seen you in their eyes, in their actions, and in the words that they say. I now understand better your love for each of us, that unconditional love that leads you to great joy when we honor you and great heartbreak when we disappoint. I now understand the true sacrifice of your Son dying on a cross for our sins.
Today Lord, I lift us my own child to you for your blessings and guidance. You know that raising children is not always easy. There are times when they are challenging. There are times when I struggle to give them freedom to live and grow and learn. Lord, there are so many ways of the world that terrify me as they enter it more and more on their own. There are the obvious evils done by other people. The threat of physical harm by those who seek to destroy their innocence. I ask that you protect them from that, but I also ask that you protect them from the emotional harm that comes in these years of great emotions. I know that there are dating and friendship relationships that will come and go, and I ask that you guard their heart against things that will make them bitter. I ask that you help them make good decisions and that they remember the things I tried to teach them every day about how to honor you.
I also ask, Lord, that you guide their footsteps as they walk on their own. As written in Ephesians 5:17, my children are not unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. According to Psalms 34:10, my children will seek the Lord and shall not lack any good thing. The Lord will pour out His Spirit on my offspring and His Blessing on my descendants as written. In Isaiah 49:25-26, it is written that the Lord contends with those who contend with my children. Heavenly Father, according to Your Word in Psalms 112:2-3; my children will be mighty on this earth and this generation of the upright will be Blessed. According to Your Word in 2 John 1:2; my children prosper in all things and are in health, even as their souls prosper. I ask that they have your strength as peers try to lead them down paths of destruction. I asks that they have your voice both in their heads and your voice as they speak so that they honor you in all that they do and say. I ask that they feel strength in their faith as others try to tell them that you are not real or you are not worth following. Lord, please let them see you as the most important thing in their life, and that no matter the hardships, their faith will be solid.
And Lord, I ask for the patience to be a good example to my child during a time when they will test every part of me. Lord, help me not lose my temper, give me strength to both stand firm when I need to and let go when the time is right. Guide my words and actions so that I am leading my child in your ways. Let me offer the right advice and set the right rules for my child to help them be the person of God you desire. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.