Praying for Our Children, Part 3

May, 2003

by: Brock Bolde

This month we are continuing to look at some specific Biblical virtues that we can be praying for on behalf of our children. This list will hopefully serve as a springboard for each of us to get more specific in the petitions that are offered up to the Lord on behalf of our children. As parents, it is absolutely vital for us to know the strengths and weaknesses of our children and to pray accordingly. May each of us be faithful to labor in this glorious endeavor! The numerical sequence will continue from last month.

11. Faithfulness (Luke 16:10) “Lord, help my children to be faithful even in the little things. Help them to establish a pattern of faithfulness throughout their life.”
12. Courage (Deuteronomy 31:6) “I pray that my children will always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions! May they learn to draw strength from Your unfailing love.”
13. Purity (2 Timothy 2:22) “Father, help my children to remain pure in word and deed. Help them to flee the temptations of this world and all its empty enticements.”
14. Kindness (1 Thessalonians 5:15) “I pray that my children would be kind to each other as well as to everyone else. May they never return evil for evil but rather look for ways in which they may be a bond–servant who is 'kind to all.'”
15. Generosity (1 Timothy 6:18-19) “May my children learn to be rich in good works. Help them to be willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”
16. Peaceful (Romans 14:19) “Lord, help my children to live peaceably. May Your Holy Spirit strengthen them so that they might pursue those things that lead to peace and build up Your body!”
17. Joyful (Philippians 1:25) “I pray that my children would be filled with joy. Help them to rejoice in your goodness and to constantly praise You for Your immeasurable love.”
18. Perseverance (Hebrews 12:1) “Lord Jesus, I pray that You will enable my children to run with endurance the race set before them. May Your Holy Spirit strengthen them to persevere in a way that would bring You much glory.”
19. Humility (1 Peter 5:5) “Father, grant my children humility. Help them not to think more highly of themselves then they ought to, but rather help them to receive the grace that You give to the humble.”
20. Compassion (Colossians 3:12) “I pray that my children would put on a heart of compassion. May Your Holy Spirit remind them of the compassion that You have shown towards all of Your chosen ones.”

I must confess that as I look over this list, I cannot help but feel a sense of conviction in my prayers for my own children. These qualities need to be modeled and then cultivated in our children. Ask God to search your heart in each of these areas in order to see if you are lacking in being a proper role model; then cry out to Him and trust that the God of mercy will be able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask or think. God is good and loves to bless His children. May we be faithful to ask Him to bless the children that He has entrusted to our care with qualities that would bring glory to His holy name!