Prayer is power. I know this is true, because I’ve seen it firsthand. When my kids were really young, I would commit a certain number of days to pray specific things for them. I wanted to see real change and let God know I was serious about seeing him answer my prayers. Thankfully, he came through. What I saw was bitter sibling rivalries turn into bonded connections. I saw tantrums transformed to calm composure, I’ve seen sour moods turned into feelings freely expressed. I’ve written down these blessings so that I can recall how good God is. I believe hands down, that praying for our children is one of the most powerful things we can do for them. After some reflection, I’ve jotted down some areas that we as parents can consistently pray for.
1. Supernatural Power
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
One of the most important reasons why I pray for my children is because I want them to know that they can call out to God and he will answer them. Especially when it comes to asking for the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives them His Spirit when they call out to him. The Spirit can produce fruits like, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (Gal 5:22,23) His Spirit also teaches and helps them remember the things that Jesus spoke to them. (John 14:26). Through the Holy Spirit, God fills us with His love. The Holy Spirit transforms our cold hearts into warm obedient hearts. The Holy Spirit does this and so much more when we ask for it. I want my children to know that this supernatural power is available to them at all times. Take time and see if this is something you want for your child.
Ask God to overwhelm your child with the presence of the Holy Spirit so that they may know that God is with them at all times.
2. Resilience
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:8,9)
Did you know there’s a test that gives you a score that predicts how likely you are to have chronic health problems and die early? The test is simply based on the number of adverse experiences you’ve had as a child. It’s called the ACE scores. However, researchers have discovered that resilience can offset the impact of ACE scores.
It’s inevitable that our children will experience trials in their lives. In the midst of it, I pray they are resilient. When they are resilient, they will see every trial as an opportunity to grow stronger. Trial will come for them, craziness will happen, but we can lift them up to God so they can receive strength. I want my child to be resilient, to bounce back, to know that trial is part of life. I want them to know that stress will come but they can overcome. A mindset, how they view trials all has part to play in building their resilience
Take time to ask God to help you model resilience by what you say and do. Ask God to give your child a resilient spirit that can uphold them through life’s challenges.
3. Wisdom
“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Job 28:28
17 year old David Nagy was an intelligent kid who was part of the Honor Society and gifted program at his high school. One night, him and a group of friends decided to do the popular TikTok challenge called table surfing. He got on an upside down table with a rope attached to a car while his friend drove. They seemed to be having fun until he swerved and slammed into a parked car. When they took him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. He made a poor choice, and the results were tragic. As smart as he appeared to be by superficial standards, his decision was not wise.
Wisdom is a rare commodity these days and wisdom comes from God alone. My deepest prayer is that as my child makes their way into the world, that they would make wise choices about their friends, their career, their finances, their time, and their spouse. These are practical life decisions they will face. My prayer is that they would have common sense, discernment, wisdom and inner confidence in God’s guiding presence in their lives.
Ask God to give your child wisdom for key areas of their child’s life. Trust that God will speak to them. Encourage them to ask God for wisdom for themselves. Remind God of His promise to give wisdom if we ask (James 1:8)
4. A Personal Experience with Jesus
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalms 34:8
A dear friend I knew faithfully raised her boys to love God. Yet somehow, things went awry in their lives once they left home. They got out into the big wide world and questioned all they thought they knew. After much heartache and despair, they came to foster their own loving relationship with Jesus. One that could only occur from a real personal experience with God.
I see this as a cautionary tale of the importance of emphasizing from childhood the value of a personal relationship with God. One where they get to know the love of God for themselves. It’s one thing for our kids to know God through us. It is another thing for them to know God through their own experience. The love they experience from God, I pray that they would transfer to others.
Ask God to give your children a real experience with Him. Pray that God would do whatever it takes to save your child that they would know his goodness from first hand experience. Thank God for His ability to do this.
A Powerful Mindset Shift
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
Praying for our children with scriptures rewires our brains to think good thoughts towards our children. Praying is a way to remember to pray for your children concerning things that are meaningful and far reaching beyond the here and now. It awakens the God-given desire to raise and train your children to be all that God has ordained for them to be. Praying like this helps you to make sure you are prioritizing the loved ones in your circle who one day, when you’re old and gray, will need to prioritize you.
One major action step to take next is to choose one of these things to pray for and do it for 30 days. As you do, observe what changes you see in yourself and in your children. I’ve done this many times, and God never ceases to amaze me in how He shows up. Give it a try.
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