I glanced at the phone message my daughter had sent and found myself balancing a smile with gathering tears. She had attached a photo of my five-year-old grandson. Head bowed, eyes closed tight, and little fists clenched at his chin, he prepared to enter school for his very first day of kindergarten.

Of course, under the tiny mask, I couldn’t see his sweet mouth open in prayer. 

But I imagined his warrior-like petition rising unhindered by the chaos of this world—directly to the Jesus he loves so much.

I’ve seen my children and grandchildren pray many times, but there was something about the photo—something about that moment in time—that shook me and reminded me of the urgency of prayer in these uncertain times.

This year continues to be packed with warnings of how much we don’t control. But for the family who seeks the heart and leadership of Christ, there is an anchor, strong and secure.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 
Hebrews 6:19

Oh, what beautiful hope, to have our Creator God—forever faithful and unchanging—willing to hear our trembling petitions on behalf of our families. And when we don’t know what to pray? When our hearts are bruised with worries and the words just won’t come?

We can lay our angst before Him and wait in humble silence. We can simply speak or read His word—and His precious Holy Spirit will meet us there.

What a privilege to enter the Most Holy Place on behalf of our families. 

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Here are five scriptures to pray over our children today:

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”

Isaiah 29:13

Oh, precious Father, my greatest desire is for my children to truly know You. May their worship be genuine, based on a personal walk with You, not merely on rules they have been taught. May their hearts long for You and may serving You bring them their greatest joy.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future”

Jeremiah 29:11

Father, even though it doesn’t feel like it right now, help me to remember that You are still in control, and You still have plans and purpose for my children and for our family. I choose to trust in the hope and future that come from You, and I pray that my children will walk in Your ways.

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For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,
but gives us power, love and self-discipline

2 Timothy 1:7

Father God, I pray that my children will not walk in fear, but will walk in a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.

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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do

Ephesians 2:10

Heavenly Father, may my children know—may I remind them often—that their worth and value comes from being created in Your image, and for Your purposes. Thank you, Father, for the depth of Your love for them.

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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10: 27-28

Father God, with my whole heart I pray that my children may know You as Savior and Lord. And may their hearts be so in tune with Yours that they hear Your gentle direction—Your still small voice—even in the midst of this world’s harsh noise. Oh, Father, may they truly listen to Your Word and follow you with their heart, soul, and mind. And thank you for the security they have in You.

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Praying with and for our children is one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us as parents. As we seek God’s heart, His Holy Spirit moves to guide our petitions, to create a sacred unity in our families, and to draw us closer to the One Who knows and loves us best.

cover photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

in the Quiver