If someone asked you what you were doing to ensure your child turns out great what would be your response?
Honestly....
Every parent (in their right minds) would want the best for their children.
So, though you may not say it out loud, you would probably think of the huge money you just deposited for the new term's school fees because you know, education is key (and that's why you also made sure he had extra lessons in Maths, English and French!).
Then there's the oats, salmon and cheese you just got for breakfast, lunch and dinner, after all good, healthy food is the most important.
And if you are like me, you might just want to let it slip that you got your princess, a ballet instructor because you just have to harness that God-given talent or maybe its a piano tutor you found for your bubbling musician because you can SEE he has got the gift.
And the list goes on and on.
Well, well, well, while all these are superb and needful, it would be wasted effort if you ignore
the most important...
PRAYER !
Yep, as inexpensive and simple as it is, Praying for your child regularly is definitely the best you could ever do for him or her.
You see, Prayer is a spiritual exercise, it shapes and prepares your child's present and future. So, while by the grace of God, you handle the physical needs of your precious one, prayer brings a supernatural seal over that child.
When you pray for a child,
- You literally are handing that child over to a God who always sees ( no matter the technology you employ, you can never fully know how or where your child is or what he/she is up to all the time).
- You give God the permission to show up in the day of trouble. Ishmael was about to die, his mum Hagar had come to the end of herself but God showed up even though Hagar was not praying at that moment. Refer to Genesis 21:17
- You let the God who knows all things to direct the path of your child
- You put a cover of God's shield to protect and defend. Jesus said in John 18:9 of all that was given him, none was lost
- You set the child up for GOOD SUCCESS
- You immerse that child in God's presence, wow! what could be better?
- And so much more
There's no technicality to it- you can choose to pray for that child everyday, morning or evening or you pray once a week, with or without a fast. If you have more than one child, you may decide to pray for each child separately on specific days. Choose what works but try to be consistent.
Below are prayers you could add to yours. Try to be as specific and as real as you can, when talking to God about your child(ren). Mention each child by name when you pray.
- Always give thanks to God for your child(ren). He is a jealous God, return all Glory to him for all good things
- Ask for God's mercy over them (especially if they are teenagers and beyond)
- Pray God's peace, love, joy, etc over them and pray that they express the fruit of the Spirit
- Pray for good health
- Pray concerning any weaknesses or negative traits you have observed and ask that God's strength be made perfect in them and for the Holy Spirit to help them overcome
- Pray that they will know God and that Christ will be revealed to them
- Pray for an indwelling of the Holy Spirit that cannot be denied ( this will not allow them to sin)
- Rebuke the devil, with authority, in every area and enthrone Jesus as Lord over that child.
- Pray that God showers them with grace to do great things
Pray as the Holy Spirit leads you, pray using God's word. Prayer can never be in excess. Even if all is well now, pray because in the day when you might be too overwhelmed to pray, all you will need to do then is remind God...
Lets shower grace on these children through our prophetic words over them. Prophesy what you want to see in their future irrespective of what you see now. Declare it, Bless and not curse
Be Blest! You and your household!!
Grace Ake
