Praising the God Who Sanctifies
Our God who sanctifies, we praise you. You sent your son who bore our sins in his own body on the tree, so we might die to sin and live in righteousness. By his wounds we are healed. We seek you with all our hearts and treasure your word in our hearts so that we might not sin against you. Be blessed, Lord, we delight in your ways and will not forget your promises. Our desire is to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who saved us from death and continues to make us holy as we learn to be more like him. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. (1 Peter 2:24, Psalm 119:10-16, 2 Peter 3:18)
Experience God’s Power
Dear God, we ask you to powerfully pursue our adult kids. When Jonah ran away from you, you pursued him until he came to his senses; causing him to endure a deadly storm at sea and being swallowed by a great fish. Until finally, Jonah surrendered. Even when Jonah knew that you were the one who threw him into the sea, he praised you because your discipline caused him to wake up from his rebellion and realize that your will for him was far better than his own. Because of his repentance, you rescued him. Lord, pursue the hearts of our kids like you pursued Jonah; reveal disobedience and bring them to their senses. Though we hate to see them suffer, we surrender them into your perfect hands and pray that your discipline causes them to respond with praise. (Jonah 1-2)
Protection from Evil
Father, your Word makes it clear that the hearts of our adult kids can be easily consumed by destructive thoughts, sexual immorality, dishonesty, greed, and foolishness. We invite your Spirit to invade their hearts and minds right now; to convict them of every thought and action that is causing the enemy to have a foothold. Jesus, when they are tempted, be their Defender. Just as Job made a covenant not to look lustfully at a woman, guide our kids to be proactive about guarding themselves against anything displeasing to you. When they are stubborn, willfully choosing to sin, expose what needs to be exposed so they will be brought to repentance. And give us the wisdom to recognize your discipline in their lives, so we will never interfere with their joy being fully restored. (Genesis 8:21, Mark 7:21-22, Psalm 138:7, Job 31:1)
Desire to Know God
Dear Lord, by the power of your Spirit, give our kids a burning desire to know you and to spend time in your presence. May they never be hypocrites, honoring you with their lips while their hearts are far from you. Instead, may they trust you so completely that they will be like well-watered trees that always bear fruit. When life is hard, cause our kids to run to you for help and trust you for answers. We release them into your hands because your power to protect and guide them is far beyond anything we can offer. Jesus, you want our kids to know you, so please send people into their lives who will speak your truth and be examples of your light. Then, open their hearts to receive your love and forgiveness so they will walk in your truth. (Mark 7:6, Jeremiah 17:8, Psalm 20:1-2, John 14:6)
Healthy Relationships
Lord, you are holy…full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and full of love. Fill our kids with this kind of holiness so they will enjoy healthy relationships. May they have grace for family members, employers, coworkers, neighbors, and friends; forgiving others as you forgive them. Teach our kids to confront conflict with truth that is seasoned with kindness. In the same way, lead our children into relationships with people who will treat them with the same kindness and compassion. By your Spirit, fill their relationships with attitudes that foster unity and words that communicate appreciation. And make them one flesh with their spouse as only you can, so they become a beautiful example of Christ’s love for the church. (Psalm 103, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 5:28-29)
Financial Peace
Heavenly Father, protect our kids from putting their confidence in money and becoming arrogant about their possessions. Instead, teach them to put their hope in things that have eternal value. Prompt them to give sacrificially with compassionate hearts, so they will be pleasing to you. In their workplace, may your Spirit motivate them to work with diligence and integrity–as though they are working for you and not for human bosses. And may their labor be rewarded. We pray that our kids will ask for direction before making financial decisions and be protected from unwise choices. Prompt them to seek guidance through prayer and Godly counsel. And if there is any deception in their finances, convict them to confess it and make it right. (1 Timothy 6:10,17, Hebrews 13:16, Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:8, Zechariah 8:16)
Live with Hope and Purpose
Oh God, our kids were created according to your will. You knit them together with purpose and we pray that this truth will be revealed to their hearts in a new and powerful way, so they will never question their value. May your Spirit give them a burning desire to seek your wisdom as they make decisions about the future so they will discover their good purpose. When they experience confusion or discouragement, bring clarity. Flood the minds of our kids with life-giving hope this week…hope that is undeniably from you and energizes them to tackle daily responsibilities with a fresh sense of purpose. When they walk down roads that are contrary to your best for them, put angels in their way that cause them to change course. Then give them the desire to listen for your voice directing them somewhere better. (Revelation 4:11, Psalm 139:5-10, Ephesians 1:11)
Emotional and Physical Health
Jesus, your Word says that a cheerful heart is good medicine so we pray for our kids to focus on everything good today, and to reject any thoughts that will crush their spirits. Where their bodies are under attack, heal them. Convict them to make decisions that will bring good health to their bodies and their emotions. May your Spirit strengthen them and cause them to develop grit for hard times. When hard times come, we pray that our kids will face them with joy in their hearts, believing that every trial produces perseverance that leads to wisdom. Where their emotions are being attacked by insecurities and fear, we claim your healing power. Wash away every negative thought and make them new so that they will know that you are the only source of peace and contentment. Jesus, wrap them up in your loving arms so that no weapon formed against them will succeed. (Proverbs 17:22, Psalm 41:3, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 54:17)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 20-21)
KRISTI is the author of the Before books and coloring books for children and the Your Soul To Keep one-year prayer book for parents of adults. She writes to inspire parents and grandparents to shine the joy of Jesus into the lives of their families and to laugh without fear of the future (Proverbs 31:25). She and her husband Tim live in Iowa where they love doing life with their sons and daughters-in-law, six grandbabies, and two very spoiled dogs.