Interceding for our Children
Parenting is scary. You’re always wrestling with concerns like, will my children ever remember to brush their teeth on their own? (One survey found that the average age is 18). Will my children ever learn to read? Will they ever be able to do anything besides play X-box? Will my 29-year-old son ever move out of the house? (This was my Mom’s concern).
But no doubt Christian parents’ biggest concern of all is our kids’ salvation. And now that I’ve become an ancestor in flowing robes with a flowing beard and a staff, I carry this burden for my granddaughter Charis.
Though Scripture doesn’t absolutely guarantee their salvation, God gives us many strong reasons to pray and hope for our children. Spurgeon urged parents to pray Isaiah 59.21, which I’ve written in my prayer notebook at the top of the page of requests for my family:
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” IS 59.21
I read this verse often before praying something like this: “Father, thank you for promising that your Spirit that you’ve given me and your word that you’ve put in my mouth won’t depart from me or my children or my children’s children from this time forth and forever. You didn’t have to make that promise, but you did. So I ask that you would save each of my children and my grandchildren and all my descendants until you return. I ask that you would fill each one with your Spirit and your Word.” And then I continue praying for my family.
There are many other promises we can pray for our kids. For example:
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. IS 54.13
The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you. PS 102.28
Years ago I was inspired by James Dobson’s story of his great-grandfather, G.W. McCluskey, who died the year before James was born. His grandfather prayed between 11 a.m. and noon daily for the spiritual welfare of his family, including future generations. Before he died, he announced that God had promised him that every member of his family for four generations would be born-again. Did God come through? The McCluskeys had 2 girls, one of whom was Dobson’s grandmother. Both girls married pastors. These women had 5 girls and one boy between them. One of the girls was Dobson’s mother. All five girls married pastors and the boy became a pastor. Dobson and his cousin, H.B. London, were the first of their generation to go to college and were roommates. In their sophomore year, H.B. was called to the ministry. And we all know about James – he founded Focus on the Family and has spent his life writing and speaking about Jesus Christ.
Dobson says, “At times as I sit on a platform waiting to address a church filled with Christians, I wonder if my great-grandfather is smiling at me from somewhere. His prayers have reached across four generations of time to influence what I am doing with my life day by day.“ (Tears are filling my eyes)
He continues, “What does that say about free moral agency and the right to choose? I don’t have a clue. I know only that God honors the prayers of His righteous followers, and you should stay on your face before Him until each child in your family and extended family has been granted every opportunity to repent.”
Anybody want to join me in praying for their kids and grandchildren?
photo by Jinaa.com
Posted in Prayer
April 4th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I’ve been interceeding for my child since realizing that he too was God’s child and I had to get rid of my way … turn his life over to Him & get out of the way and let God work in him.
You know Wayne Watson’s song “Somewhere in the World Tonight”? Thats the story that I could now tell of my son and daughter-in-law.
Now I’m interceeding for My granddaughters.
April 4th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Hi FreedbyJC,
It’s hard waiting for the Lord to work in our children, isn’t it? I don’t know the song - I’ll have to check it out. Keep interceding for those girls!
Thanks for commenting.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Thanks Mark, for pointing me to some ways to pray Scriptural prayers for our children’s salvation. Very helpful!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
“I know only that God honors the prayers of His righteous followers, and you should stay on your face before Him until each child in your family and extended family has been granted every opportunity to repent.”
Thank you for such an encouraging exhortation to pray for my little guys (and girl) for salvation. I’m in the daily discipline days, and I have to often remind myself that it is a good thing that all this sin is being exposed. I often pray, esp. for the one who seems to need more discipline than the other, that God will use it to show him his need for a Savior at a young age. And, daily, I’m aware that it surely won’t be my efforts or skillful (ha!) parenting that saves them. Good thing!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Thanks so much for this. That is a great story about Dobson…very encouraging and makes me so thankful to our merciful Lord! I’m in!!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
You’re welcome Dan, thanks!
Great comment Briana - you’re right, if God saves our children, it’s not because of our parenting. For me, I think it will be in spite of my parenting.
Thanks Jeri, yes praise God for his mercy!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Mark, thanks for the great verses - those will be good to recall as I pray for my own children.
Keep praying for your grandkids - that involvement is an unspeakable joy to parents. My own folks bless me every day in the way that they pray for and invest in the spiritual growth of their grandchildren.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Hey Daniel,
I like your phrase “invest in the spiritual growth of their grandchildren.” Never thought of prayer as “investing” in others. Great encouragement!
April 5th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
G’day Mark. We live in Sydney Australia… amaing how the internet can broadcast to other side of the planet, huh? This was a fantastic post and a great reminder to pray for our children and for those, Lord willing, who will come in future generations. Would you mind if I linked to your post from our blog? Cheers and many blessings to you and your family as you continue serving the Lord!
Patrick and Meg Chavez
April 5th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
G’day Patrick and Meg!
Thanks for your encouragement all the way from Sydney. The internet sure is amazing.
I’d be honored if you linked to our post. God bless you and your family!
April 5th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Mark, my wife and I have a nearly-two year old daughter, and just found out we’re expecting baby #2 (Praise God!). Before I had my little girl, I didn’t give much thought to her salvation. My prayers concerned her health, mostly. Now, each night, when I pray for her before bedtime, I pray for her salvation. The verse from Isaiah really spoke to me in this post. It will now be a part of our prayer each night. And day. For all our kids! Thanks for sharing.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Hey Tree Newt (good name - I like Newts), thank you for your comment. I’m glad you were encouraged like I’ve been by that verse.