What is a parent to do? In an age of unprecedented immorality and temptations, there is one activity parents must engage in that is head and shoulders above any other activity - prayer.
This is a re-post of a prayer outline posted on this blog in February of 2007 but it's still as important as ever. It's a prayer adapted from Bill Hybels' "Becoming A Contagious Christian" resource. Adapt it, change it, use it - but don't stop praying for your kids as you continue to pursue your calling in ministry:
FOR THEM
Draw them toward you. Open their eyes to the emptiness of life w/o you. Help them see their need for forgiveness. Remove any confusion they have about you and the life you offer. Help them grasp the meaning and importance of your cross & resurrection. Open their hearts to your love and truth. Bind the enemy from attacking them in their minds and spirits. Continually renew them through a broken-ness of heart.
FOR ME
Help me live a consistent and attractive Christian life. Help me create & maintain a lifestyle that allows for sufficient mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual space for time with them. Make me authentically and honestly deal with life's ups and downs. Give me wisdom in knowing how to approach the relationship. Expand my knowledge so I will be ready to define and defend the Gospel. Grant me appropriate boldness and courage. Use me to help lead them into a deep & vibrant relationship with you.
FOR US
Cause depth and trust to grow in our relationship. Open doors for spiritual conversations. Guide those conversations in pace, frequency, and content. Give me wisdom and insight to perceive what they are really saying when we interact. Give me courage and boldness to respond proactively for their ultimate spiritual good.
OTHERS
Cause the interactions with friends, adults, teachers, upperclassmen, younger kids, coaches, teammates, and family to continually point them to You. Protect them from anyone who will come in contact with them and intentionally or unintentionally hurt them or mislead them in any way. If necessary, use the difficult times to teach them to put their hope & trust in you.
l PRAY THAT THEY (Col 1:9-14) ...
- Know Your Will
- Live a worthy, pleasing life
- Bear fruit
- Grow in You
- Live in Your strength
- Have endurance & patience
- Live in joyful gratitude
- Claim their secure inheritance
- Embrace freedom
They are your kids, Father. Guide me as their steward.
Praying for our kids while we help others is what it means to Serve Strong!
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