A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

In this world, fewer and fewer of our children are choosing to follow you. We give them the knowledge of your word, but then the world bombards them with conflicting ideas. As they go to school and interact with non-Christian friends, they are told that there is no one right way to God. They are told that they are being intolerant for holding to their particular beliefs. Their friends tempt them to enjoy pleasures that you forbid. In this battle, we turn to you, asking for wisdom on how to support and guide them.

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV)

When I look at Deuteronomy 6:6-7, I see this command to be continuously teaching my children about you. What words do my children need to hear? I try to read them your word and help them apply it to their lives, but they bring home so many doubts and questions. They ask, “Where are you Lord?” How can I help them see that you are answering prayers, that you are working in their lives.

It is an unfortunate truth that you don’t promise us an easy life. When my kids look at all of the problems that they have, when they look at the chronic pain that I suffer, they ask why you don’t do something about it. Then their friends tell them that it is because you can’t, that you don’t exist, but I do not believe this! Without my chronic pain, I don’t think that I would turn to you as often, I would not have the relationship that I do with you. When our children question why certain difficulties persist, grant us the strength to convey that while you can instantly fix problems, your purpose often transcends immediate solutions. May they understand that challenges in our lives can deepen our reliance on you and strengthen our relationship with you.

Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

John 20:29 (ESV)

Unlike those in New Testament times who witnessed miracle after miracle, our faith is often grounded in belief without direct observation. As Jesus blessed those who believed without seeing in John 20:29, empower our children to embrace such blessed faith.

 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:16-18 (ESV)

With hearts full of gratitude, we lift our prayers, echoing Ephesians 1:16-18. May the Spirit of wisdom and revelation open the eyes of our hearts and guide us toward the hope you have called us. We yearn for the riches of your glorious inheritance, aspiring to share eternity with you. Please help my children to cultivate a deep and lasting relationship with you. Lead them to a life in your presence.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Read: Head Knowledge vs. Heart Knowledge: Teaching our Kids to Love Jesus

Respond

Please pray a prayer for your children or those for whom you are a spiritual mentor. If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.