Praying the Scriptures for Your Children

A few years ago I led a bible study at my church for stay-at-home moms/moms of younger children.  Some of the moms worked part-time, but most were staying home with their children and most of those children were not in school yet.  It was called Mommy Time.

From semester to semester, we did different studies.  I enjoyed leading and learning.  We brought breakfast food, our kiddos were taken care of by wonderful ladies who loved on them and we got into God's word.  One particular semester, I decided to use a book I had been given when I was pregnant with Blake.  It was called Praying the Scriptures for Your Children.  There are ample reasons why I love this book, but the greatest is the practicality and easy way to put what this book says into practice.  The book is divided into different chapters and each focus on a different phase for your child.  For example, there is a chapter about praying for their teachers, coaches, mentors, friends and future mate.  There is section about praying for self-control, responsibility, giving their best, etc.

The night before school started last week, I was plagued with the inability to go to sleep.  I have this book on my bedside table.  I pulled it out and began praying over Blake, Noah and Andy. I prayed for their teachers and their classes.  I prayed for their friends.  I asked God to give them one really good friend they can learn to depend on and have fun with and that the friend would be a good example for them.  I asked him for self-control and kind words to come out of their mouths.  I asked him for them to be challenged and love learning.  I prayed they would be lights for him in their words and actions.  And through it all, I was praying TRUTH - God's word- literally over them. 

Here is an example -

Blake struggles with his mouth.  God love his heart, he is his mother's son!  He doesn't know when to stop talking sometimes and ALWAYS wants to have the last word.  It causes me no small amount of grief and drives his Daddy crazy!  I prayed this verse of truth over him -
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my (I inserted BLAKE's) mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my (I inserted BLAKE"S) lips.
⁴ Do not incline my (Blake's)  heart to any evil thing,
To practice wicked works"
Psalm 141:3-4

How can I go wrong in praying GOD'S WORD over my child?  Jesus assures us that the Holy Spirit will interceded for us when we don't know what to pray, but I find some comfort and peace in knowing that I can pray words HE gave us and that if I am asking these things in HIS name, it will be done!

 Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us^[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered."

 1 John 5:14 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

If you are looking for a book to read as a parent (or grandparent), I HIGHLY recommend this book.  See the picture below.  The concept seems so rudimentary and yet, I often complicate it.  I encourage you to pick one or two things that you can concentrate prayer on for your child/children and commit to do it.

These are the things I am concentrating on for mine:

Blake - control over his mouth, kind heart, serving others and a deeper knowledge and desire for God's word

Noah - self-control. taming his tongue and kindness towards his brothers, salvation and a desire to know God more

Andy- flexibility, understanding of God's love for him and a desire to know God at a young age

Jake - that he would come to know and love Christ at a young age

What are you going to beseech God for your child/children through HIS word?