I have a list of scriptures that I have been praying over for my kids for nearly a decade. I was moved when I attended men’s retreat over ten years ago to take up this practice. And so here are 5 of the bajillion reasons I pray for my kids almost every morning.
1. My Hope is In God
The only reason to pray about ANYTHING is because you trust in God as the primary power and influence in the outcome of all things. I trust that God is in control and he can affect the trajectory of the life of my kids. And stated even more strongly, He must effect a change in them for that trajectory to be for the good. I pray to release my kids to His good care.
2. They Need More Than Good Parenting
As I stated above, God is powerful and the future of my children is in His hands. But I pray from a position of personal benefit as well. Not only am I asking God to work His power in them, but I am also recognizing that they need more than an earthly Father. They need the involvement of a Heavenly Father! I hope and pray that my kids will walk further, love better, and serve more than I have. And the only reason I think that this is possible, is because God can take them there. So I pray.
3. The World of Kids is Confusing (and scary if you have teens)!
Every generation has a newly invented set of struggles. Some of them are just old problems repackaged. Drugs are a problem in each generation, but my generation didn’t struggle with peers stealing grandma’s pain medication. I am so glad I wasn’t raised with social media, online bullying, Justin Bieber, YouTube, a smartphone, Snapchat streaks, and Game of Thrones. I do not know what temptations my kids face on any given day, but I talk to the one who knows! I go to Him and ask for Him to tailor the specific protections that they need for this day.
4. I Want My Kids to Know They Are Prayed For
This motive can be a bit misconstrued to be showmanship or praying to be seen. But when it comes to our children, I would encourage anyone who prays for their children to let them know. I have seen my oldest crack a genuine smile at the point when he found that we are up at 6am praying for him. My daughter who is usually up early knows that we pray and has even sat in the hallway listening. I think there is benefit in them knowing that we pray. Plus we are modeling what I hope they will develop as a lifelong habit of talking with their Heavenly Father. We don’t pray SO THAT THEY “catch us”. But passing along this practice to the next generation will not happen if they never see us pray.
5. I Am Set As a Guardian for My Family
I lock the door for safety at night. I make sure the cars have oil changes, the tires are in good shape, and the furnace filters are changed. When there is a storm in the night I get up and check to see how severe. When there is a loud sound in the night, I go check it out. And in the morning I pray for my family. I pray for their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. I want my family to be protected, and so I pray to the one who can protect like a strong tower.
I do not believe that I am producing a specific outcome by my prayers. I do not believe that I am putting God in my charge by asking him to grow my kids up to be two Godly men and a Godly woman. But I do believe that when Jesus says “you have not because you ask not”, this is kinda meant to get us to ASK! So I ask. And I feel relief when I ask. I do my part as best I can, but in prayer I acknowledge that there is an influence far above my influence in the life of my kids, and I can talk to Him. He loves me. He love my kids. And He can give us exactly what we need, when we need it.
And the practice needs to continue after kids are adults and expanded to include grandchildren as well. While the circumstances may vary, God does not 🙂