Thoughts On Our Children’s Prayer Life

Yesterday, we started a 4-week prayer meeting for our new church plant in Northern California. It was wonderful to meet with the saints and to pray together to our Father in heaven about things that lay heavy on our hearts, for our daily sustenance, for our intended area for ministry, to lay up petitions for those in our midst and abroad who  share the Gospel, and most of all to  praise Him for His goodness!

Two of my three children attended with me and some things came to mind.

Unlike us, our children can pray without 'embarrassment' by how needy their heart is or concern with what may or may not be 'appropriate' to ask God.  They just go boldly before the throne of grace asking the Father who cares to hear and provide according to His will (Matt. 7:7, 9-11; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 11:1-4).

On the other hand, like us, our children will go through seasons in life where they may struggle with praying to God for help with delighting in His Word (Psalm 1:2), worshiping him (Psalm 95:1-8a), dying to sin (1Peter 2:21-25), forgiving others (Col. 3:12-13), serving others as an expression of their worship and gratitude to God (Mark 10:43-45), or for opportunities to give an account for the hope they have in Christ (1Peter 3:15).

Let us be reminded to pray without ceasing for their spiritual strength and growth for the evil one crouches at the door to tempt, accuse, and devour.

Here’s mine for today…

Dear Abba Father in heaven,

I humbly come before You this day as a redeemed daughter to a Father who is able and ready to help. May it please You and glorify Your great name that I lift up these petitions for my children, their future spouses, and Lord willing, for the generation that is to come: 

- May they abide in Christ and Him in them that their joy may be full unto eternity (John 15:1-11).

- May they continue to sojourn this life with a child-like, saving faith in our Savior Jesus Christ; trusting and depending in Him alone (Prov. 3:5-8).

- May they grow in the grace and knowledge of You, O LORD (Ephes. 3:14-19). 

- May they run to Your Word, delight in it and store it in their hearts (Psalm 119:9-16).  

- May You graciously enlarge their hearts for You (Psalm 119:32). 

- May they always shine brightly as the stars and heavens above pointing to the Holy One who is and was and is to come (Deut. 12:3).

This I pray, in Jesus’ holy and precious name. Amen.