The Gift of Prayer

Awhile back, my hubby and I were talking about praying for our children. We have done blessing cards for years, but most times they are in the hallway closet. My hubby keeps them there as he gets them out to pray blessings over the children before going to work since the closet is right between their bedroom doors. We only have one set and as we were talking we were thinking about how we needed to be even more dilligent about praying for our children.

My dear friend, Marina, came over for a visit and she had just been given a 31 day list of prayers to pray throughout the month. God is in the details, isn't He? I was so grateful for just that little bit of encouragement we were needing! Now, we both have our own copies and are both praying the same thing for our children throughout the day.


I am constantly reminded of what a humbling job it is to be a parent. I am always making mistakes, not always modeling Christ to my children, and having to say I am sorry way more than I would have ever hoped to do as a Momma. But I am thankful for the gift of prayer and for our children to have full confidence that no matter how we fail as parents, it is God's grace that is extended to them. When there are life decisions to make, it is God who will give direction. When friends are in need of comfort, it is through prayer that the right words may be spoken. When bodies ache and hurt, it is through prayer that they can feel the gentle touch of the Healer. When it is forgiveness they need, it is God who is already seeking to forgive and to restore.


31 Biblical Virtues to Pray For Your Children {Bob Hostetler}


1. Salvation. “Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10).


2. Growth in grace. “I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).


3. Love. “Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them” (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2).


4. Honesty and integrity. “May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection” (Ps. 25:21).


5. Self-control. “Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do” (1 Thess. 5:6).


6. Love for God’s Word. “May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb” (Ps. 19:10).


7. Justice. “God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do”
(Ps. 11:7, Mic. 6:8).


8. Mercy. “May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful” (Lk. 6:36).


9. Respect (for self, others, authority). “Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands” (1 Pet. 2:17).


10. Biblical self-esteem. “Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10).


11. Faithfulness. “Let love and actions” (Dt. 31:6).

12. Courage. "May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions" (Dt. 31:6).


13. Purity. “Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions” (Ps. 51:10).


14. Kindness. “Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else”
(1 Thess. 5:15).


15. Generosity. “Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age” (1 Tim. 6:18-19).


16. Peace-loving. “Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Rom. 14:19).


17. Joy. “May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6).


18. Perseverance. “Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them” (Heb. 12:1).


19. Humility. “God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all”
(Titus 3:2).


20. Compassion. “Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion” (Col. 3:12).


21. Responsibility. “Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load” (Gal. 6:5).


22. Contentment. “Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength” (Phil. 4:12-13).


23. Faith. “I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them” (Lk. 17:5-6, Heb. 11:1-40).


24. A servant’s heart. “God, please help my children develop servants’ hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men” (Eph. 6:7).


25. Hope. “May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 15:13).


26. Willingness and ability to work. “Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col. 3:23).


27. Passion for God. “Lord, please instill in my children a soul that ‘followeth hard after thee’
(Ps. 63:8, KJV), one that clings passionately to you.”


28. Self-discipline. “Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair” (Prov. 1:3).


29. Prayerfulness. “Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18).


30. Gratitude. “Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Eph. 5:20, Col. 2:7).


31. A heart for missions. “Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Ps. 96:3).


May You be encouraged to pray for YOUR children!


Shared with: simple country life, titus2sday