We are told in the Word:
- “Train up a child in the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6)
- “The prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16)
So we do our work when our children are in the home. We labor endless hours training them in the right way so they will not depart from it when they grow older. We pursue righteousness and hope our prayers avail much. Then our children leave the home, launch out into the world on their own, and become adults with their own families. Does our responsibility to pray without ceasing stop when our children become responsible adults?
I knew I would never stop praying for my children, but I assumed if I had done my job when they were young and in the home, somehow the burden of prayer would lessen. As I have launched four children into adulthood, I have found this idea to be far from true. In fact, reality is quite the opposite. I have found my faith muscle stretched like never before in the area of prayer for my children. I realize the necessity to pray for them seems greater now than when they were young and living at home.
In the midst of a heated discussion I asked my daughter, “Why do you have to have a mind of your own?” “Mom,” she replied empathetically, “you raised us to have an opinion and not be afraid to share our opinion.” Oh that’s right, I thought, and a choice I am glad I made every day of my life. However, in the journey of self-discovery, our children oftentimes move toward independence instead of interdependence on God. So we pray.
When we see our children making choices that seem to lead them away from God, fear or anger is often our first response. However, fear is not of the Lord and we must move past that place of fear into faith. Praying for our adult children helps us exercise our faith muscle like never before.
Fortunately we have this promise:
“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Pray in FAITH
F - Pray to the Father in heaven. Jesus set forth the model; “our Father in heaven…” We (and our children) have a good Father who wants to give the gift of Himself to our children. When we pray to the Father, we can be assured He will answer.
A - Pray All the time. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. We need to be mindful to pray for our children who are called to live in the world but not of the world. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I - Jesus is Interceding for our children, we can partner with Him. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) Ask Jesus what is on His heart for your adult children. Discover a Scripture promise for them and speak the word out in agreement with the heart of Jesus.
T - The Truth sets our children free. We can pray the truth over them, which is the Word of God. The Truth is sharper than any two-edged sword. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
H - “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My Hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:7) We must remember to anchor our hope in the Lord, not the circumstance or not what we see. In the story of the Prodigal Son, the father kept watch, waiting with hopeful expectation for the return of his son.
A Prayer for Your Adult Children
Father in heaven, You are the God who sees all and knows all. You see the choices (child’s name) is making and you know the path they are walking. You are able to save to the uttermost. You are able to deliver and redeem. You are called the Most High God and the One who is Faithful and True. You know the plans you have for (child’s name) and those plans are for their good and not to harm them (Jeremiah 29:11). Give me eyes to see and an understanding heart that I might agree with your plans for (child’s) life. You are a good, good father and your leadership is perfect. I am watching and waiting and joining with your heart for my child today. Have your way in every way in their life. Bring fame to your name through them. (Name) is your child. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Misty Honnold is the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization The Single MOM KC. Misty equips, trains and empowers women to discover the source of their strength in Christ. She publishes a weekly blog on the website The Single MOM KC as well as freelances for other publications. She is working on her first book to be published in 2016; an autobiographical teaching of the Song of Solomon.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: February 21, 2017