Praying for Your Children: A Parent's Most Powerful Tool

Children are a blessing from the Lord - a gift and a reward. Though it can be hard to remember this during challenging moments, there is no success in life that can compensate for failure in the home. What happens behind closed doors in your family life is truly the most important thing.

We live in a world that's attacking traditional family values, and the structure of God's design is under constant assault. As parents, regardless of our children's age, we must continue to be positive influences in their lives.

What Does the Bible Teach Us About Parenting?

The Bible provides numerous examples of God's faithfulness in family situations:

• Jacob had 13 sons in a mess of dysfunction, yet God remained faithful

• David had 21 children with many family problems

• Mary raised Jesus in extraordinarily difficult circumstances

• Moses was abandoned by his parents yet raised by their oppressors

In 1 Samuel, we learn about Hannah who desperately wanted children but couldn't have them. She prayed at the tabernacle, and God blessed her with a son named Samuel. True to her promise, she dedicated him to God's service, giving him to Eli the high priest when he was between 2-5 years old.

The Contrast Between Hannah and Eli as Parents

Hannah kept her commitment to God despite the personal sacrifice. Every year, she would visit Samuel at the temple, bringing him gifts and watching him grow into a faithful man of God. Eventually, Samuel would pray blessings over his mother, and Hannah was blessed with five more children.

Meanwhile, Eli was raising his own two sons alongside Samuel. These sons had responsibilities in the temple but were completely corrupt and dishonorable. Though Eli would speak to them about their behavior, he never took decisive action when they ignored him.

God sent a prophet to warn Eli, but he wouldn't listen. Eventually, God spoke through Samuel, saying: "I will perform against you all that I have spoken concerning your house... for I have told you that I will judge your house forever for the iniquity which you know... because your sons made themselves vile and you did not restrain them."

Why Did Samuel Turn Out Different Than Eli's Sons?

Samuel was raised in the same dysfunctional environment as Eli's sons, yet he became a faithful servant of God. The difference wasn't Eli - it was Hannah. She had given Samuel to the Lord, continued to pray for him, and spoke into his life. Hannah was a grounding force that continually reminded Samuel of his greater purpose and calling.

Important Lessons for Parents Today

1. Bad parenting and problematic children are not new phenomena - many biblical figures struggled with family issues

2. A parent never stops being a parent in God's eyes, regardless of your children's age

3. The choices you make when your children are young matter tremendously

Hannah turned to God in prayer during her times of need. She praised and thanked God when He answered her prayers. She acknowledged God and gave Him credit for Samuel rather than taking it for herself.

Why Prayer Is Essential for Your Children

Simply loving your children isn't enough to help them fulfill God's plan for their lives. We live in a sinful world, and even as parents, we're not perfect. What our children need most is our prayers.

It's easy to get caught up in the false values of the world - believing our parenting is better than others, as though it's a competition. But there is no victory in comparison. The true victory is in God's design coming to pass in our children's lives - not who we want them to be, but who God designed them to be.

Jesus prayed in John 17:15: "I do not ask that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep and protect them from the evil one." Jesus wasn't asking us to remove our families from the world but to protect them from the evil in it.

Seven Things to Pray for Your Children

1. Wisdom

"The Lord gives wisdom. From his mouth comes knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)

"Wisdom is better than rubies. And all the things one may desire cannot be compared to her." (Proverbs 8:11)

2. Protection

"The Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge." (Psalm 94:22)

"He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense." (Psalm 62:6)

3. Favor of God

"For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous with favor. You will surround him as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)

4. Boldness

"And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word with boldness." (Acts 4:31)

"According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed. But with all boldness, as always." (Philippians 1:20)

5. Strength to Resist Temptation

"Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." (Matthew 6:13)

6. Finding and Fulfilling God's Assignment

"The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)

"The eyes of your understanding, being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling." (Ephesians 1:18)

7. Finding the Right Mate

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22)

"This is the reason a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife and they become one flesh." (Ephesians 5:31)

How to Pray for Adult Children

For children who are married, out of the house, or have children of their own:

1. Pray for their heart (Proverbs 4:23, 1 John 4:8)

2. Pray for their growth through trials (James 1:2-4)

3. Pray for their contentment (Philippians 4:11-13)

4. Pray for their spouse - that husbands lead well and wives have understanding hearts (Ephesians 5:22-33, Proverbs 19:14)

Life Application

This week, commit to praying intentionally for your children using the seven prayer points above. Whether your children are young or grown, at home or on their own, your prayers matter. Don't become complacent, even if your children seem to be doing well.

Ask yourself:

• Am I praying for my children daily, or only when problems arise?

• Have I been trying to shape my children into who I want them to be rather than who God designed them to be?

• In what areas have I given up on my children, like Eli did, rather than continuing to pray and speak truth?

• How can I better model God's values and priorities in my own life so my children see authentic faith?

Remember, your children are the only thing you take with you to heaven. No matter how successful you are in other aspects of life, nothing compensates for failure at home. Continue to pray, speak God's Word over your children, and trust that He is working in their lives - even when you can't see it.