A Parent's Prayer (from Romans 12)

This morning I read Romans 12 and thought, "Wow! This is a masterful prayer for parents (me) to pray over my kids. It says everything I want for them."

So here it is--Romans 12, turned into a parents' prayer for their children, no matter how young or old they are. It is a prayer over their destiny. (You can also read "A prayer of destiny over your family" here.)

Dear Lord God,

I ask for Holy Spirit to influence my children.

May they present themselves wholly to you to you as you want to.
Help them not conform to the lifestyles in this world
But be transformed from the inside out—
May they meditate on Scripture and see the world as you see it.
Give them wisdom to discern your perfect will.

Help them to be humble and serving in the church,
To take their gifts and talents seriously,
knowing you gave them abilities to be used in the body of Christ
and not for their own improvement and satisfaction.
Give them success by your standards. (A prayer about your child's success here)

If they can prophesy, give them foresight and courage to proclaim truth.
If they can serve, help them do it with grace and compassion.
If they can teach, give them wisdom, kindness, and clarity.
If they can encourage, confirm in them the words and actions, and discernment for the timing.
If they can give, help them give generously and humbly.
If they can lead, give them diligence, integrity, and perseverance.
If they can show mercy, strengthen them to step into moments of pain and lift others up cheerfully.

May they be sincere in their love for you and for others.
Give them disdain for sin and a passion for righteousness.
Stir devotion for fellow-believers,
Enthusiasm for others’ success,
Zeal for their spiritual growth,
Full of hope,
patient in hard times,
faithful to prayer,
generous with God’s people,
welcoming to everyone,
forgiving to their persecutors,
joyful with those who rejoice
and empathetic with those who mourn.
Teach them to live harmoniously, without quarreling or pride.
Keep them from racism, fundamentalism, and superiority.

May the never retaliate against evil-doers
And be known for their integrity.
May they be filled with compassion for the less-fortunate
And missional to those in need.
Through your strength, I pray that they overcome evil with good.

May their lives be filled with opportunities taken for your glory.
Make them shining lights, reflecting your glory, in all they do.


In Jesus’ holy name,
Amen
I am passionate about the Christian calling, my family, and the arts. And dessert and travel. And being outside in the beautiful world God has created.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Spiritual warfare over the rebellious child

Image
Sometimes, we notice our children slipping away from active faith. Or we notice stagnant lives, and we stress about them taking a spiritual nose-dive. Or perhaps they are actively pursuing God, yet we worry about outside influences. And then there are those frightening times when they just don't care about God at all; perhaps they are making dangerous and sinful choices. And we can't stop it. BUT WE CAN PRAY! Here's a prayer of spiritual warfare  to pray over your wayward child: Dear Father in Heaven, You understand a parent's heart. You know that even though I trust You, it's so hard to leave my child completely in Your hands. I'm worried, even angry about the evil influences that push against ________. Please place Your hands around _________ and guide him/her into Your presence. Give him/her a thirst for You and a dissatisfaction for the pleasures of this world. Place people in _________'s path to influence and encourage him/her toward the h
Read more

How to pray for revenge (I mean vengeance and justice)

Image
Onmipotent God, I'm asking you to make things better--a little fairer-- Not for myself, but for some people I care about. In my flesh, I want revenge. In my spirit, I want your righteousness. People I love got a bum deal, an unlucky break. A gross injustice . They've been sinned against. I guess you know what that feels like. I know life's not fair . I know we are called to suffer for the kingdom. But I also know you are a God of justice and you will produce justice and righteousness in the world because that's what you always do. It's how you reveal yourself to all of us-- a God of power, authority, holiness, and love. You make things right . Then you bring joy and peace. Proverbs 21:15  " When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous   but terror to evildoers." You are also a God of vengeance . So when someone hurts, offends, or traumatizes people I love-- people you love who are following you-- I don't min
Read more

Praying for your child's future spouse

Image
In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant back to Ur, the country of his origin, to find a wife for his son Isaac.  Abraham instructed his servant: 1. Don't take my son away from here (the Promised Land--where God had called them to be) 2. Don't find a wife from here (because this is a pagan culture) 3. Go back to our people for his wife 4. God will send an angel ahead to prepare her Pretty cool idea. So here's a prayer for your son or daughter's future spouse -- Lord God, I have already dedicated my child to you. I trust you with him/her. You created this child in the womb, perfectly crafting every part of him/her, just as you wished, because You have a special calling and mission for him/her. You want him/her to love and serve you all his/her life. You are protecting, providing, and disciplining him/her, molding him/her into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus. You love this child more than I do, which is saying a lot. You know what is best an
Read more