Our children and grandchildren desperately need the praying support of committed parents.
The book of Job could very possibly be the first portion of Scripture written, long before Moses took on the job of editor/author of the Pentateuch under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Job opens with a view of a God- fearing father concerned and interceding for his grown children (Job 1:1-5). Could it be that this is the first scene presented by the Spirit on the parchments of Holy Scripture? What significance this lays before us to intercede as prayer warriors for our children continually!
The commitment to pray
Several years ago, a close friend shared with my wife and me that they had made it a practice to start each day in prayer for their children. It so stirred our hearts that we made the same commitment. I’m convinced that this is one of the greatest needs among believers today. But for the grace of God, the healthy growth of our future homes, assemblies, and missionary endeavors, rests on the power of parental prayer. Our society and the world at large, under the supervision of Satan, are seeking to deceive and destroy the testimony of the next generation that would desire to live for God. Our children and grandchildren desperately need the praying support of committed parents.
The call to prayer
Scripture states clearly the responsibility of parents to teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord, by example and instruction. For the most part, God’s Word seems to only infer that such a valued treasure as our children would occupy a prominent place in our prayer life. Little is found in terms of explicit commands to pray for our sons and daughters. God seems to use the trials of life to drive us naturally to our knees “casting all our care upon Him” in earshot of the “roaring lion, walking about” (1 Pet. 5:7-8). David, in Psalm 144:12, calls out to the Lord in prayer for his children. His desire is “that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.”
This verse has touched the hearts of many saints of old. Julius Charles Hare said in 1851, “If a gentleman is to grow up he must grow like a tree: there must be nothing between him and heaven.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “Home becomes a palace when the daughters are maids of honor, and the sons are nobles in spirit; then the father is a king, and the mother a queen, and royal residences are more than outdone.” This was the desired outcome of the heart of David as he called out to the Lord on behalf of his children.
The content of our prayers
The desire of our heart for our children is reflected in the words of our prayers. What do I desire most for my children? Often our thoughts turn toward success and achievement in areas of education, occupation, marriage, and financial stability. Are these things on the top of our prayer list or are there more important matters—matters of eternal significance—that should characterize our prayers? If what we desire most for our children is not something we feel comfortable asking God to provide, it just might not be God’s best for them. Let me suggest 12 specific things every parent should prayer for when interceding with God for their children.
1. Pray that nothing hinders your child from accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour early in life (Mt. 19:13-15).
2. Pray that your child develops a hunger for God and His Word and that they will desire to obey God (Ps. 119:33-40).
3. Pray that your child will mature spiritually early in life and dedicate their whole life to the Lord to do His will from the start (Eccl. 12:1; 1 Tim. 4:12).
4. Pray that your child learns early in life to respect and submit to all levels of authority, which God has placed in their lives for their benefit (Rom. 13:1-5; Heb. 13:17).
5. Pray that your child will develop a keen sense of right and wrong and form life-building convictions on the principles of Scripture (Ps. 139:19-24).
6. Pray that your child’s full personality will be developed unto godliness within a healthy balance of a life pleasing unto God (Lk. 2:52).
7. Pray that your child will develop a thankful spirit and a positive mental attitude toward God and man (Col. 3:15).
8. Pray that God will put a hedge of protection around your child, protecting them from the enemy and the evil influences of this world (Ps. 121; Jn. 17:13-19).
9. Pray that your child will be filled with, and walk in, the Spirit, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in their character and activities of life (Eph. 5:1-2, 8-11, 18-19).
10. Pray that your child develops their spiritual gifts fully and becomes successful first in the work of the Lord and the edification of the body of Christ (1 Tim. 4:12-16; 2 Tim. 1:6-8).
11. Pray that your child develops a love for the body of Christ and a love of the New Testament principles of gathering which will then govern their place of fellowship among the saints (1 Cor. 14:37; Heb. 10:24-25).
12. Pray that your child’s entire life will become a testimony to the love of Christ and His truth worked out in their life, unto His glory (2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 4).
The consistency of our prayers
It should be noted, however, that to pray for the above things for our children without desiring and living out before them these same things in our own lives, would be not only hypocritical, but would also make the prayers hollow and detrimental to the spiritual health and growth of the children as they observe our double standards. Note in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, the need of the heart to be devoted in the parent first, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” James reminds us that effectual prayers come from righteous hearts.
Let’s take the example from Christ himself. He prayed for His own, the ones the Father had given Him (Lk. 22:31-32; Jn. 17:9,?15). How much more should we bathe in prayer these precious treasures entrusted to our care and stewardship, for a short time later they are to be given back to Him for His eternal purposes and glory.