Intentional Prayers for Our Children

"...when you pray, I will listen."  Jeremiah 29:12

 Our children are entrusted to us for such a short time.  Some days may feel longer than others, but as our children begin to grow, we realize how quickly time passes and how much they change with each passing year.  Instead of rushing through each precious memory, I want to take time to cherish each milestone and think of ways that I can teach my children how to follow Christ. 

A great place to start is to have specific prayers to pray over your child.  Do you hope to have a child who is kind and caring of others?  Pray and ask God to develop this quality within your child and ask God to show you how to exemplify this to them as well.  It may seem like a pointless task, but it’s all about intentionality.  If we take time to prayerfully consider and write out these prayers, the more likely we are to remember to pray these specific prayers for our children.  And, the more we will be blessed when we see God answer our prayers! How can we intentionally pray for our children?

• Take some time and consider your child's strengths and weaknesses.  Pray for God to keep developing those strengths within your child and pray for those weaknesses--that God would do a work in your child's heart so that he can turn that weakness around.
• Talk as parents about how you can be an example to your child in these areas.  What are some areas that need to be changed in your own life to help your child better see Christ?  What is God asking you to do, as parents, to “open up your child’s eyes to the wonderful truths in God’s instructions” (Psalm 119:18)?
• Commit to praying these prayers over your child(ren) each day.   Maybe this can be done at the breakfast table and you can pray aloud with your child. 

On those days when it seems like it can’t get any worse, remember that this season will not last forever.  May we not rush through life so fast that we miss the precious moments that we are given today! 

“Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6