3 Prayers for When Your Kids are Facing the Tough Stuff

A book editor once told me the key to writing for moms is to think about the question, “What’s the pain?”

In other words, what does a mom worry about as she lies in bed at night? What keeps her awake? What struggles might she be facing that she hasn’t admitted to anyone?

Whatever that pain is, write about it.

It’s an interesting question because we moms worry about so much. It’s hard to identify a singular pain, especially in regards to kids.

• We worry about the choices our kids are making – and the choices we make for them.
• We worry about health issues, academics, and whether they’ll make the team. 
• We worry about their relationships, their heartaches, and whether their disappointments will break them or make them stronger.
• We worry about college, careers, and future happiness as adults.
• We worry about their trials and anxiety, and why they haven’t acted like themselves lately.
• We worry about bad things happening and imaginable scenarios – and how facing an actual tragedy would make us wish we’d spent less time worrying about the small stuff and more time simply enjoying our kids.

If you’re like me – an expert worrier – you may have discovered the need to unload your worries somewhere. You may have reached a point where your mind and heart couldn’t take it anymore, and you needed a real solution to keep from going crazy.

The only real solution that works for me is prayer. Only prayer can take me from a place of fear and worry to a place of peace and trust. As St. Augustine famously said, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” When it comes to my kids and handling life, I rely on prayer to soothe me, guide me, and ground me in the truth.

Following are three prayers for when your kids are facing the tough stuff. Whatever worries you have today, I hope they lighten your load.

1. Prayer for Strength

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 

Dear Lord,

I feel so burdened. My heart is heavy and my mind is racing. I want to be strong for my child. I want to push past anxiety, fear, and despair so I can face this situation with peace, wisdom, and the hope of eternal life.  

Please, Lord, fix my eyes on You. Keep me mindful of the big picture. When my mind wanders to the future – and worst case scenarios – reign me in the present. Remind me that Jesus exists in the present, and focusing my attention on today will reveal the little blessings and large blessings designed to help us through this trial.

You love my child more than I do, Lord, and I trust you with her life. I know you work all things together for good for those who love You. Please give her the stamina to handle this trial and the faith to endure it. Help her hear Your voice, feel Your presence, and impact the faith of others as she faces this hardship with humility, grace, and confidence in You.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

2. Prayer for Hope

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

Dear Lord,

I’m struggling with uncertainty. I crave security, but everything seems so fragile – relationships, circumstances, and life. It scares me to see my child broken. I want to fix this problem in his life, yet I can’t. I’m realizing how little control I have – and how desperately I need You.

I praise you, God, for being a rock. You never change, and that’s my comfort. I know today’s trial is just a part of my child’s story, not the end of his story. I know you have a great plan for him, one that can ultimately bring good from this struggle and turn his pain into joy.

I place my hope in You and cling to Your promises. Although the world is uncertain, I’m certain You are in control. Thank you for the hope of heaven that we receive through Jesus. I pray His light shines brightly in this dark season to guide me and my child toward You.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

3. Prayer for Clarity

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”  1 Corinthians 14:33 

Dear Lord,

My mind is cloudy. My emotions are high. Part of me wants to run and hide – and the other part wants to go to any extreme necessary to save my child from this struggle.

Help me, Lord, to respond and not react. Clear my mind, calm my heart, and renew my spirit. Let my words and actions be wise and measured. Help me think before I speak and pray before I make a move.

You aren’t the author of confusion because confusion comes from the enemy. Help me and my child see Your truth clearly in this situation, trust Your timing, and find rest in the peace from You that surpasses all understanding. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Can praying eliminate every worry and pain that keeps a mother up at night? Of course not. What praying can do, however, is ease worries and pains so they become bearable. It can restore joy and hope in the midst of the unknown.

Are there certain prayers or Scriptures you rely on when your child faces a challenge? If so, please share in a comment below. Tell us your story about the power of prayer in your life and the role that it plays in your parenting.

Kari Kampakis is a mom of four girls, as well as an author, speaker, and blogger from Birmingham, Alabama. Her newest book for teen & tween girls Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For? is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million.

Image courtesy: Unsplash.com

Publication date: November 16, 2016