Parenting is Hard, Prayer is Vital
There, I said it. It’s hard. Social media would have you believe it’s all glorious and perfect…with just little hiccups between joyful photo shoots. Nope. It’s hard. It can be painful…and ugly. But parenting is also sacred and worshipful. The Bible shows us from the start that God is our Father and He works to build into us in ways that make us more like Him. Parenting gives us that opportunity to model God’s character and selfless love. It’s not easy, but it’s beautiful and it’s valuable.
As parents, we sometimes make the mistake of thinking that if we can just get through ‘this’ stage, it will be easier. But ask any seasoned parent and they will tell you, with each new stage come new challenges and yes, new joys, too. “I can’t wait until…” is often the mantra of the battle-weary parent, the one who is overwhelmed with sleepless nights, laundry, and diapers. Then, the toddler years arrive and the child seems to have 1000 hands, boundless energy, and insatiable curiosity. I can’t wait until…. School, all the activities, sports, then driving, and dating, and before you know it, they’re off to college and then working, married, and with their own children. How did it go so fast? "I can’t wait until they’re grown and I don’t have to worry any more.” Ah, that is a faulty expectation. When you love someone, you will always carry concern for them, whether they’re 2 or 32. Each new stage of parenting brings new and often more complex prayers.
Our parenting doesn’t end when our sons and daughters become adults. But our prayers change. They move from “Lord, please let them sleep… to Lord, please wake them up, spiritually.” The early years are filled with prayers for their physical growth and safety, along with their spiritual formation. But as they grow and age, our prayer becomes even deeper because, as a parent, we no longer have the daily influence or the ability to steer them away from negative influences and dark places. Our prayers take on a deeply spiritual direction, not that they were not before, but there becomes a greater urgency and a deeper understanding of eternity and their place in it. The physical needs, although still present, are secondary to their eternal state. We feel the heaviness of their spiritual condition and direction, we battle on our knees for protection from spiritual attack, and we plead with the Lord for His intervention…and for their recognition of it.
Parenting doesn’t get ‘easier’ it just shifts to another level of support, concern, and intervention- most of it spiritual. Are you prepared for that?
Some may say, “I don’t know how to pray that way.” Oh friends, prayer isn’t just for the ‘learned’ or those who have a long faith history. Prayer is a practice, a spiritual discipline. You just do it. You start where you are and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. You have a complete handbook to use- the Bible. A great way to begin is by praying scripture over your sons and daughters; God’s word never returns void. It is guaranteed to bear fruit.
Remember, God works outside of time and space. He sees the end from the beginning. He’s weaving people, events, places, and resources together in ways we cannot begin to comprehend all to bring about that which He wills. When we pray, we not only need to lift up our sons and daughters, but we need to pray for our own heart, that we would be surrendered to what God wants and that He would align our desires with His will. Be cautious. Too often we pray with an answer or conclusion in mind. Let God lead.
Today, let’s do just that. Let’s pray Philippians 1:9-11. It’s straightforward and powerful. Write it down and carry it with you this week and pray for your sons and daughters that God would do a work in their lives, reflective of the passage.
“And this is my prayer: that (name)’s love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that (name) may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
