photo by RJ Bejil
Ask any Christian parent and he or she will tell you just how important it is that we pray for our children. Somehow, though, it’s one of those “duh” statements that may lose something in its application. I know in my case it is all too easy to get caught up in the inconsequential minutiae of my children’s lives. I find myself praying for answers to their life problems as opposed to the character qualities that bring eternal life and earthly joy.
If I were to pray for biblical virtues in my children’s lives, what would that look like? Fortunately, the answer fell into my lap one day when I was in our church’s Prayer Room. I found a prayer card entitled “31 Biblical Virtues To Pray For Your Kids” written by Bob Hostetler with Pray! Magazine. The card conveniently outlined Christian character traits, complete with prayer and corresponding Bible verses, that I could pray each day of the month for over my children.
I like not having to reinvent the wheel.
The first virtue on the prayer card is salvation.
“Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)
There are families who are so blessed to have all their children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but most, ours included, will have a child who either rebels outright or falls sway to the things of the world and the flesh over the truths of God. As parents, we can only be obedient to God’s commands that we bring our children up in the Lord, but nothing guarantees that all important decision for God’s saving grace in their lives.
Praying for our child’s salvation, then, is a vital endeavor. When our family prays for someone’s salvation, we also include the following:
If I were to pray for biblical virtues in my children’s lives, what would that look like? Fortunately, the answer fell into my lap one day when I was in our church’s Prayer Room. I found a prayer card entitled “31 Biblical Virtues To Pray For Your Kids” written by Bob Hostetler with Pray! Magazine. The card conveniently outlined Christian character traits, complete with prayer and corresponding Bible verses, that I could pray each day of the month for over my children.
I like not having to reinvent the wheel.
The first virtue on the prayer card is salvation.
“Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)
There are families who are so blessed to have all their children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but most, ours included, will have a child who either rebels outright or falls sway to the things of the world and the flesh over the truths of God. As parents, we can only be obedient to God’s commands that we bring our children up in the Lord, but nothing guarantees that all important decision for God’s saving grace in their lives.
Praying for our child’s salvation, then, is a vital endeavor. When our family prays for someone’s salvation, we also include the following:
* God, grant them more time here on earth so they have every opportunity to get to know You;Pray for your child’s salvation. In a household centered on Christ it is a prayer that will be answered because it brings glory to God. The timing is all His. The obedience is all yours.
* Grant them knowledge of You so they may want to know even more;
* Grant me courage to be a godly influence in their lives.
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2 comments:
So true, Deb. We also pray for our children's salvation--beginning from the moment we know we are expecting. My husband and I are convinced that salvation is the number one thing that our children need above all else! Having a broad spectrum of ages (22 years down to 2 months) we have seen the radical difference knowing Christ makes in the lives of our children. They need Him!
Andrea, I love that you used the term "radical" difference. It's an unfortunate observation that so many kids don't know the Lord and the blessings that come from following Him. Your children are blessed from the very beginning to have you and your husband praying for and over them! Thanks for leaving a comment.
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