A Powerful Prayer for Parents

Written by Lisa G. Sager

A friend recently gave me the book The Power of a Praying Parent. I have read several chapters so far. I suppose it is for this reason that I have had the topic of prayer on my mind for several weeks now. On Sunday, my devotional instructed me to read John 17. I did and enjoyed the entire chapter, though verses 6-19 struck a chord.

 The chapter begins as Jesus prayed for Himself and His purpose in the world. He spoke with humility here. You feel the submissive spirit and can almost hear Him if you read carefully. However, in verse 6, His tone changed. While I am clear on the point that Jesus was praying for the disciples, His friends, and the workmen for His ministry, I believe I can also hear the tone of a parent as He speaks. There was such sweetness and tenderness in His words. You can see that His concern was genuine. He knew that His earthly, human influence on them was fleeting, and He sought to protect them from the world.

As I read this passage that day, I heard Jesus’ words as a model prayer for a parent. I would like to share with you my thoughts as I read the passage.

Pray this Scripture for Your Teen
• “I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world” (v. 6). Lord, I have introduced You and Your love to the hearts and minds of my children. They were Yours before You made them mine. They were a gift and I accept the responsibility to train them to respect and obey Your Word.

• “Now they know that all things You have given to Me are from You” (v. 7). I continually strive to reinforce the concept that everything I have has been given to me by You. Every blessing is a gift from You.

• “The words that You gave to Me, I have given to them. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from You. They have believed that You sent Me” (v. 8). I understand my responsibility to teach my family of Your love for them. Please give me the words each day to represent You to them, so that they will know with certainty that I am their parent because You chose me for them.

• “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours” (v. 9). Lord, I do not pray for the world my children live in, but rather that You will give me the tools necessary to equip them for survival in this world. Help me to illustrate the purpose of following You.

• “All My things are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I have been glorified in them” (v. 10). There have been times when I see evidence that you are working in my children’s lives. Help me to remember Your love for them and that they belong to You. Help me to always honor You in my parenting. Give me strength when I have to stand back while my children learn life lessons of their own.

• “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are” (v. 11). The day will come when I will no longer have a primary influence in my children’s lives. I will grow old while they are still active on this earth. Please protect them by the power of your name. Your salvation was revealed to me. Make it known to them as well, so that they might enjoy the same fellowship with You that I have been blessed with.

• “While I was with them I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture may  be fulfilled” (v. 12). My life’s purpose is to protect and nurture my children while I am on this earth. I have embraced this responsibility and attempt to fulfill it each day. As a parent I hold to Your promise that no one is doomed to destruction unless they refuse to accept your gift.

• “Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them” (v. 13). With each passing year I am closer to old age. With each year I see my children mature. I am writing this down so that they may one day see proof of my commitment to rear godly children. I want them to know for certain that I delight in having them for my children. I desire to leave a lasting legacy of honor for our God. My children are my legacy. My adoration for God grows exponentially because of the gift I have received in being a parent.

• “I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (v. 14). I have taught them Your principles and precepts. The world hates them for the wisdom You give them and the truths they know. They do not belong to the world. It is my hope that they will always search for Your guidance as they make decisions affecting their lives.

• “I am not praying that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one” (v. 15). Place your arms around them, Lord, and protect them against the very one who seeks to destroy all good things in their lives.

• “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (v. 16). May they always be distrusting of the things in this world that are harmful. May they see evil for what it is and have the strength to refuse it just as your Son did during His life in this world.

• “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (v. 17). Give them authority over unwise choices by the truth of Your Word.

• “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (v. 18). Give me the stamina needed to provide consistent training for my children to live for You. You will expect them to be productive in their walk.  Help me to prepare them for adulthood.

• “I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth” (v. 19). Remind me each day that one of my primary purposes is to win my children’s souls for You. Help me remember that I am witnessing to them of Your love and am an extension of Your wisdom each and every day.

Lisa G. Sager is a writer, wife, and mother. It is her desire to glorify Jesus in all she does.

Share your thoughts with other readers:  Post Comments   Rate this Article