A Prayer of Praise
:: Praise the Lord, my soul. Oh Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. You wrap yourself in light as with a garment and stretch out the heavens like a tent. You make the clouds your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind. You make springs of water pour into the ravines and flow between the mountains, giving water to all the beasts of the field. The birds you created nest by the waters and sing among the branches. Oh God, the land is satisfied by the fruit of your work. May your glory endure forever. I will sing to you all my life; sing praise to you as long as I live. May my words be pleasing to you. (Psalm 104)
Experience God’s Power
When the Israelites were freed from slavery, they danced and sang until the first moment they faced danger and discomfort. Instantly, they became paralyzed by fear and consumed with anger because they assumed you abandoned them. But you never let them out of your sight. By your power, you protected and guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. You guided them exactly where you wanted them to go, and stood between them and the army that pursued them. They experienced hard, uncertain times but you continued to meet their needs. Our kids live in a free and privileged country, yet they are also consumed by fears and uncertainty at times. Thank you, Father, for never leaving them alone. May they never be controlled by anger or ruined by fear. Keep their eyes open to your perfect and powerful provision, so they will see your guidance, feel your presence, and live in freedom…even on the most difficult days. (Exodus 13:21-22, 14:19-20)
Protection from Evil
Lord, when our kids think they’re walking on the right path, but it’s a path that will lead to destruction, send your angels to block their way. Show them that they are here on earth at this very time in history because you’ve placed them here on purpose. Just as Jesus prayed for his followers before his arrest, we pray for our children…not that they be taken out of the world, but that you will protect them from evil. When others cause our kids to doubt you, send your Holy Spirit to speak Truth so loudly that it is undeniable. Shield our kids from physical harm and surround their mind and emotions with a hedge of protection, to guard against every lie that robs them of hope and joy and purpose. You alone are their protector, Lord, and evil cannot dwell near you. Fight for them and be so present in their lives that no evil can stand against them. (Proverbs 14:12, John 17:15, Psalm 5:4)
Desire to Know God
Father, the Bible says that our children will be blessed when they search for wisdom from your Word; that it is better for them to find wisdom than to gain silver and gold. Set their hearts on fire to learn from you, to learn about you, and to value time with you above any material thing. May this knowledge guard their lives and lead them on a path to peace. When their eyes are blind to you, send your Spirit to convict their hearts so they will wake up and pay attention to what you say. May Truth be life to their minds and health to their bodies. God, grow a desire in our kids to learn from Biblical examples of faith so they will be inspired to throw off the sin that entangles them and get rid of anything keeping them from living an abundant life. May they run with perseverance, with their eyes fixed on Jesus so they will never grow weary or lose heart (Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 4:20–22, Hebrews 12:1-3).
Financial Peace
We ask for our kids to experience peace and joy in their finances; to be blessed beyond measure and to bless others. Lord, give them the right attitude toward money and abundantly satisfy their needs. Guard them against caring too much about earthly treasures that are here today and gone tomorrow. Plant a desire in them to “treasure” eternal things far more than earthly pleasures and possessions. During this Thanksgiving season, prompt our kids to be generous givers; burdening their hearts for those in need so they will experience the blessing of giving with a joyful heart. When our kids have financial needs, put people in their path who will also give generously so our kids will experience your blessing and recognize it as your provision. God, fill their hearts with deep gratitude for every earthly blessing. (Isaiah 58:11, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Chronicles 29:17-18)
Live with Hope and Purpose
Jesus, lead our kids in triumph, spreading everywhere the joy of the knowledge of you. May your light in them bring hope to a broken world. When our kids lose hope in their purpose, call them out of darkness and into your wonderful light. They are your treasured possession, God, and you ordained their days before they were even born. Flood their minds with this truth so that hard days will defeat them or cause them to feel sorry for themselves. When our kids are discouraged, speak into their hearts so they will hear your voice and seek guidance. We rest in the promise that your plans for our kids are good and we surrender to your perfect timing. When answers seem far away, we will trust that you are working in ways we cannot see and thank you in advance for planting hope in the hearts of our kids. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:9, Psalm 139:16-18, Romans 8:18-19, Jeremiah 29:11)
Emotional and Physical Wellbeing
Healing Father, we ask for you to give our kids the emotional and physical strength they need to tackle hard times. When they are weak, may they find strength in you and feel the power of your Spirit filling them with renewed energy and physical stamina. When their bodies are sick or hurt, increase their faith to trust you for healing, just as Jeremiah did when he said, “O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed.” In their minds and emotions, teach our kids the secret of being content in every situation; whether healthy or sick, strong or weak. And set them free from any wrong thinking that is causing harm: replace bitterness with grace, self pity with gratitude, and discouragement with hope. You know their minds intimately and created every cell of their bodies. Take care of them, God. Heal their afflictions so they will rejoice in your provision. (Isaiah 40:29, Jeremiah 17:14, Philippians 4:12-13)
Wisdom for Parenting
Heavenly Father, our grandchildren are like a crown full of jewels. Thank you for the precious ones we already have and for those we’ve yet to meet. May their homes overflow with stories and songs that celebrate your wonders and power, and may their families embrace the importance of having a church home. When our grandchildren make mistakes, guide their parents to respond with compassion so they will grow up understanding the power of your grace and love. Jesus, in this culture that glorifies rebellion and worships happiness, we pray that our grandchildren will experience Godly discipline, so they will become wise. Fill their homes with the light of your Holy Spirit to guide their parenting decisions, and lead their families on a path to life. (Proverbs 17:6, 14:29, 6:23. Psalm 78:2-4, Hebrews 12:11)
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.