We're always looking for ways to encourage and uplift our kids. If parenting has taught us anything, it's how vast the world is and how little control we have when it comes to what our kids experience in their daily lives. We certainly do our best to nourish, love, and advise, but at the end of the day, so much is out of our hands. It can be overwhelming to process this.
We so desperately want to protect our kids and grant them a life of ease and comfort, but that's not always the case, is it? While there are many elements outside of our control, one thing we come back to time and time again is the power of prayer. Think of this verse, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." ~ 1 John 5:14
Calling all prayer warriors! In today's post, we're sharing three things to remember when it comes to praying for your kiddos.
Prayer as Relinquishing Control
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." ~ Ephesians 6:18
There are many, many verses in the Bible that allude to the power of prayer. So much so, it can be easy to gloss over them and not pay too much attention. For the sake of today's topic, we'd like to focus on these passages and really meditate on them.
We are called to pray throughout the Bible, in valleys and on mountaintops, in the highs and lows of life. Prayer isn't just a nice-to-have or something we should be doing once in a while for some big life event, although God is always happy to hear from us. But rather, prayer is a deep spiritual necessity. It is the basis for our relationship with Christ.
This is especially timely when it comes to praying for our children. Our kids are what we cherish most in life, right? They're our pride and joy. They are our greatest blessing (and sometimes our greatest challenge, too!). By offering up their lives in prayer to God, we are relinquishing control and acknowledging His authority over their lives.
This is not only beneficial for them but for our own heart posture as well. Try as we might, we are not in control. It's a hard pill to swallow, but parenthood is a sobering reminder of how much we need God and His grace every single day.
Prayer as a Blessing
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” ~ Psalm 127:3
If you haven't already, consider adding a prayer of blessing for your children to your morning routine. Doesn't have to take up too much of your time. It could be right after you load the kids on the school bus or during your quiet time. Whatever works for you, carve out a couple of minutes to pray for your kids with a blessing to guide them through their day.
If we believe in the power of prayer and if we believe that God is who He says He is, then we know our prayers will not be in vain. He will listen and watch over your little ones (or not-so-little ones!).
The template for a prayer of blessing is simple.
Heavenly Father, thank you for being here. I know you are with me every moment of today and for that I am grateful. Today I pray for my kids, that you would watch over them and guide them. Fill them with the peace and hope of the Gospel. May they seek your face continually and learn from your ways. I ask that you protect them from harm, but that ultimately your will would be done in their lives. I trust you have a specific plan for them today and I pray they would grow and flourish. Be with me as I seek to love them as you do, even though I fall short daily. Equip me with the strength and patience to be a good parent and to showcase your love in a powerful way. In your name I pray, Amen.
There are many other passages of Scripture that serve as templates for blessings. Consider Psalm 121:7-8, "May the Lord keep you from all harm as you trust in Him. May He watch over your life, your coming and your going, both now and forevermore."
Prayer as Trusting God Above All
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
The truth is, we don't know what the day holds for us.
As we rise early, cook breakfasts, assemble lunches for our kids, and see them off for the day, they exit our homes and experience a world of their own. We don't know what they'll encounter and that's difficult to process, especially when you're trying to protect them. Even if your kids are grown and you're an empty nester, it can be hard to think about what they face in the world.
We love this verse from Jeremiah 17:7-8, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
This verse tells us exactly what happens when you put your trust in the Lord—you flourish and bear much fruit. Think of the passage, "...is not anxious in the year of the drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Whatever storm or catastrophe arises in this scenario, the tree continues to thrive because its faith has been placed in God.
The same is true for you and your children.
How many times are we anxious about our lives and our children's lives? Here we have the assurance of God's authority and goodness, and the kind of impact trusting Him will have on us. Needless to say, it's mutually beneficial.
Whatever season of life you find yourself in, there is an invitation for you to put your trust in Jesus today. That peace and hope are available to you now as a parent. Nothing is perfect about our time here on earth. There is still darkness and sin, but by trusting God, we know who reigns. We know who loves our kids even more than we do, and that's Jesus. Trusting Him will lead to an abundant life.
A Reminder to Pray
As a mom, we could use all the help we can get! Any glimmer of hope or reminder that God is with us and for us is welcomed. That's why faith-based apparel can be so powerful. Just by having a t-shirt with a key verse on it, we're reminded of God's love for us and our call to trust Him with everything we have. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our selection of Christian t-shirts that serve as wonderful reminders to keep the faith and stay strong, especially through the joys and tribulations of parenthood.