Praising the God Who Is With Us
Lord, you search my heart and know me completely. You know when I sit and when I get up, and you understand my thoughts. You are with me wherever I am, and before I speak a word, you already know it completely. You go before me and behind me, something too wonderful for my mind to understand. I cannot flee from your Spirit. I cannot flee from your presence. If I go up to the heavens you are there. If I go to the grave you are there, too. Even if I fly to where the sun rises or settle into the sea, your hand will guide and support me. When everything becomes dark around me, your light will shine like the day and you will be near me. You have been with me since the day that you knit me together and every moment of my life is already in your book. (Psalm 139)
Experience God’s Power
Dear God, we boldly ask for you to send your power into the lives of our adult kids. As Joshua wandered the wilderness with the Israelites, they thought they were blocked by the Jordan river because it was raging at flood stage. Crossing to the other side seemed impossible, but you commanded them to step into the water anyway and to trust you with their destination. As soon as their feet entered the water, your power stopped it so they could cross the river on dry ground. And this is how they knew that the living God was among them. Pour this kind of faith into the hearts of our adult kids so they will walk victoriously knowing that the living God will make a way where there seems to be no way, and that they can trust you with their destination. (Joshua 3:14-17)
Live with Hope and Purpose
Heavenly Father, plant a powerful purpose in the hearts of our kids and direct every step they take. Because you planned each of their days, and created their unique talents and abilities, they can trust you completely with every decision they make. Please give them a burning desire to seek your will and the courage to follow it. Protect them from getting bogged down by activities that keep them too busy to experience the abundant life you want for them, and crush any attempt by the enemy to steal their joy or destroy their hope. Lord, give us wisdom so we will be prepared with good advice when it’s needed and that we will know when it’s more important to stay silent. May our words never interfere with your plan for our kids. (Proverbs 16:9, John 10:10)
Healthy Relationships
Jesus, you modeled what relationships should look like…full of unity, humility, and teamwork. We ask that the relationships of our adult kids be defined by the same qualities. Empower them to show kindness, to be patient, and to work selflessly so they will gain the respect of friends and coworkers. Where there are people who bring emotional pain or spiritual stumbling blocks, strengthen our kids to walk away. In their marriages, fill them with patience for one another so they will speak kindly and be willing to surrender their own desires for the sake of the team. When stressful situations come, help them to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Renew their desire to protect one another, to be worthy of trust, to persevere through tough times, and to look forward to the future with common goals. (Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Financial Peace
Dear Lord, we know that money can cause so much stress, so we pray that our adult children will experience peace in their finances. Just as you gave Joseph wisdom for his daily tasks and the goodwill of his superiors, do the same for our adult kids so they will prosper in their work. May they be diligent in earning an income and even more diligent in how they spend it. Protect them from making idols of money and possessions so they will be protected from debt and greed. Give them the wisdom to seek counsel and to act with integrity when making financial decisions…always being transparent with their spouse. We pray that our kids will joyfully give back to you in such a way that you throw open the floodgates of heaven and bless them with more than they ever imagined. (Acts 7:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:10, Proverbs 11:3, Malachi 3:10)
Wisdom for Parenting
Jesus, thank you for creating and valuing the grandkids we already have and any that may come in the future. Send your Spirit to speak wisdom into the minds of our adult kids and convict their hearts to make you the first priority in their homes. When our grandkids are disobedient, may their parents value Godly discipline so their children will grow to bring them honor. We know that parenting is stressful, so we pray that each of our kids will have a sound mind that helps them to discern when to discipline and when to show grace…always remaining calm and patient–especially when they’re angry–so our grandkids will learn that your love is also patient and that your discipline is always for our good. (Matthew 19:14, Exodus 20:3-6, Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 19:11)
Desire to Know God
Lord, we ask that our kids would have such a great desire to know you and to do your will that their eyes will stay open to every temptation; never allowing them to be deceived by unhealthy desires. Your Word says that deception leads to sin and that sin results in emotional, spiritual, and even physical death, so we ask that our kids will spend time reading the Bible. May their love for your Truth, protect them from believing lies that cause them to make reckless decisions. Make our children aware that they will never experience lasting happiness apart from yourself. May your Spirit teach our kids that their greatest accomplishment on earth will be to know you and to live their lives seeking your steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. (James 1:13-18, Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Emotional and Physical Wellbeing
Lord, our kids are faced with so many things that can cause their minds to worry…so many things and habits that can cause damage to their bodies…and so many challenges that can rob them of joy. We are so thankful that you are holy and that you have authority over every evil thing. Please protect the wellbeing of our kids and send your Spirit to flood their hearts and minds with peace, power, and self-discipline, so they will experience mental, emotional, and physical health. Strengthen them to make choices that glorify you and to walk through hard times with faith and perseverance. You are the one who marks out the race before them, so we ask for you to guide them and to keep their eyes fixed on you. Fill their hearts with so much joy that it overflows to others. (2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Hebrews 12:1-2, John 17:13)
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.