Recently
my small group Bible study has been
reading and studying the book "The Power of Praying For Your Adult Children"
by Stormie Omartian. And what great
insights she has on praying for our adult children. We begin praying for our kids when they are
young, but as they get older we really don't know how or what to pray for. She tells us just what we need to know. This post is taken from her book with some of
my thoughts added. I hope you will enjoy
this and get some ideas of how you should be praying. - And I highly recommend you get the book.
Seven things every parent needs to know:
1. Being a parent never stops, if
you really care about your child's well-being.
When they become adults, they make decisions and choices on their
own. We as parents want to express our
concerns and give advice, but may not have an opening to do so or our advice is
not wanted or accepted. We can go to God
with our concerns and ask Him to do something on behalf of our adult
children. If we trust that God hears and
answers our prayers, it can change their
lives.
2. We need to know that we can't
fix our adult children. Only God can
make changes in them. Our job is to
release them into God's hands and keep praying for them.
3. We need to know that God can
change everything. It's hard to know
what to do and what not to do for them.
Only God can give you wisdom about these things. Prayer is not telling God what to do, but
it's partnering with Him for His will to be done. We must believe that God loves you and your
adult children and He will hear your prayers.
Believe He can deliver you from fears and give you and your adult
children what you need when you ask for it.
No matter how big your adult children's problems are, God is
greater. Believe that your prayers have
power.
4. We need to know we must stop
blaming ourselves. Don't feel guilty of
how good or not so good you have raised them.
We are not perfect. God is the
perfect parent and looked what happened to His children. We need to walk with God daily and ask Him
for wisdom about everything. You can ask
Him to free you from any guilt. Don't be
discouraged. Discouragement is a sign
you need to spend more time with God so He can encourage you.
5. We need to know we have to
forgive. Forgiveness has to flow in us
before the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us when we pray. "If I regard
iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." - Psalm 66:18. So forgive your adult children for anything
they may have done to hurt or disappoint you.
6. We need to know there is only one perfect
parent. That is God Himself. There are no perfect parents on earth. "Train up a
child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from
it." - Proverbs 22:6. If you didn't know the Lord when your
children were young and didn't train them in His ways, it's not too late. You can still go to God and confess and ask
for forgiveness for your mistakes. Ask
Him to now show you how to pray for your adult children.
7. We need to know you can say "For this adult child I prayed". These words were spoken by Hannah in 1 Sam. 1:27. Her prayer is one of the greatest examples of
a parents prayer. If you have not
dedicated your child to the Lord, do it now and release him to God's hands.
Start
now praying for your adult children.
Lord,
I pray you would teach me how to pray
for my children. Set me free from all
worry and concern and give me peace. I
now release them to you. Thank you for
loving me and my children. Help me not
to feel guilty for things I have done or not done in their lives. Help me to forgive myself and anyone who has
hurt my children. Thank you for hearing
my prayers. Give me faith to believe and
patience to wait for the answers. I give
you all the praise and the glory. In
Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.
Now
that you have released and dedicated or rededicated your adult children into the
hands of God, here are a few things you can pray for:
Pray
that they will welcome an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Pray
that they will be influenced by the Holy Spirit of truth.
Pray
for their hearts will be turned toward the Lord and open to receive Him.
Pray
that they have a desire to know God better and become more like Him.
Pray
that their heart will be closed to the lies of the enemy and open to God's
truth.
Pray
that they have the desire to have a repentant heart and know what God has
done..
Pray that
God will give them wisdom, discernment and revelation.
Pray
that they have freedom in Christ, deliverance and restoration.
Pray
that they understand God's purpose for their lives.
Pray
that they work successfully and have financial stability.
Pray that
they have a sound mind and the right attitude.
Pray
that they resist evil influences and destructive behavior.
Pray
that they avoid all sexual pollution and temptation.
Pray
that they experience good health and God's healing.
Pray
that they enjoy a successful marriage and raise godly children.
Pray
that they maintain strong and fulfilling relationships.
Pray
that they walk into the future God has for them.
