Praising the God Who Heals
Healing Father, we bless your holy name. You forgive offenses and heal diseases. You redeem our lives from the pit and shower us with love and compassion. You heal the brokenhearted and take care of their wounds. You cover us with your feathers so we can take refuge under your wings, and your faithfulness is a shield so we don’t have to fear the terror of night. Your faithful love supports us, Lord, when we are filled with cares and anxiety, you comfort us and bring joy. Our flesh and heart may fail, but you give our hearts strength. Your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect in weakness, so we take pleasure in weakness, hardships, and difficulties for the sake of Christ. For when we are weak, then we are strong. (Psalm 103:1-4, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 91:4-5, Psalm 94:19, Psalm 73:26)
Emotional and Physical Health
Creator of the minds, bodies, and emotions of our kids, we ask that you teach them to set their minds only on what is good and pleasing to you. May they never be governed by the flesh; dragged down by depression or anxiety. Instead, give them spiritual fortitude to surrender fears and negative thoughts to you, so they will experience the abundant life that only you can give. When they can’t get there on their own, prompt them to seek help and guide them to professionals who will lead them in your Truth. When healing is needed, increase our faith to be diligent in asking. And when answers seem slow incoming, help us to trust that suffering will produce perseverance, which leads to hope. We love you Lord, we know you love our kids, and we choose to trust you completely. (Romans 8:5-6, Romans 5:3-5)
Protection from Evil
When our kids wrestle with thoughts that are contrary to your truth, remind them that your Spirit provides power to demolish every destructive thought and make it obedient to you. When they’re tempted by impure thoughts, teach them how to reject it and walk in holiness. Your Word promises that whoever dwells in your shelter receives protection, so we ask for our kids to recognize you as their faithful shield against evil and to seek you. Protect them from people who want to harm them, from sickness, and from fear. Lord, fill their minds with peaceful thoughts that are focused on eternal things and not on the struggles of this life. You are mighty to save and we ask that you fight for our kids against every form of evil that threatens to harm them. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Psalm 91:1-8, 2 Corinthians 10:5)
Desire to Know God
Father, renew the minds of our kids and open the eyes of their hearts. Guard them against trusting the wisdom of this world so they will only desire your Truth and only seek your will. We pray for them to have the same passion as Daniel, when he refused to stop praying to you…even when it was against the law. May they become passionate about being in your presence and talk with you in prayer every day, even when it seems contrary to logic. Send your Spirit to lead them to your Word so they will pursue thoughts and attitudes that are pleasing to you. Most of all, Jesus, just as you prayed for your children when you were on earth, we pray for our kids to see your glory and to find joy in knowing that you loved them long before the world began. (Romans 12:2, Daniel 6:10, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:24)
Experience God’s Power
Lord Jesus, we pray for the minds and bodies of our adult kids to be pierced by your healing power, even at this very moment. Whether the need for healing is known or hidden, touch them with the same power that caused paralyzed people to run…the same power that freed people from seizures, disease, and chronic pain. Just like the servant of the Roman soldier was healed instantly because of his master’s faith, we pray that our faith will cause you to heal our kids. Lord, increase our faith! And when your healing power is evident in the minds and bodies of our kids, may it bring glory to you as our generous Healer, so that others will see your works and also have faith in you. (Matthew 4:24, Matthew 8:5-13, John 9:1-7)
Wisdom for Parenting
Perfect Father, you are the author of parenthood and we thank you for every joy it brings. Help us to trust you with every heartache, knowing that you understand and that you’re walking through it with us. By the power of your Spirit, instruct our kids in their daily parenting decisions. Make them aware when the busyness of life has caused them to forget you and renew their desire to teach their children about you. Guard their mouths from becoming harsh or unkind. Instead, may their words “always be full of grace, seasoned with salt” so our grandkids will experience your love and grace in their home. Father, protect our kids from the mistakes we made when we were raising them…and protect our grandkids from the mistakes of their parents. By your grace, fill their homes with the knowledge and security of your love. (Deuteronomy 4:9, Colossians 4:6)
Financial Peace
Solomon writes, “When God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God…he keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” Jesus, we pray that our kids will experience this sort of joy and fulfillment. When they desire things they can’t afford, guard them from becoming discontent. Instead, give them wisdom to understand that finding contentment in you is worth far more than anything money can buy, and that being discontent will choke out any joy for the things they already have. Your Word says that you are happy to give good gifts to those who ask, so we boldly ask that you bless our kids with financial stability and the wisdom to be good stewards of all they possess. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, Proverbs 8:10-11, Mark 4:19, Matthew 7:11)
Live with Hope and Purpose
Dear Lord, the first time we held our babies in our arms, we wanted their lives to be filled with joy and hope and purpose, and we continue to believe that you have a perfect plan for each of them. May our kids be strengthened by the power of your Spirit, so Christ will dwell in their hearts through faith. When they feel discouraged, motivate them to seek you – their Creator – for hope and direction. If any of them believe that their life isn’t valuable, overwhelm them with divine inspiration from your Spirit of Truth. Reveal to them how high and deep your love is for them, and let this revelation cause them to overflow with a sense of hope for the future. Work out your perfect plan for our kids, Lord, and give us the wisdom to know how we should (and shouldn’t) be involved in guiding them. (Proverbs 16:3, Ephesians 3:14-21)
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.