Children

Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do as parents is to not worry about our children. Will they grow up healthy? Are they receiving the right education? Who are their friends and how are they being influenced outside the home? Will we be able to support them and provide the best that we can afford until they reach independence?

(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 儿女 | 繁體中文 > 兒女)

On top of all these practical concerns is ultimately, how are we being good testimonies of Jesus Christ in their lives? Are they picking up godly principles? Will they come to love the Lord as their personal Saviour? As much as we wish to provide good physical nourishment, we are to remember to provide the best spiritual nourishment as well. The Bible calls us to pass on God’s Word to our children at every opportunity, with love and tenderness.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

A prayer for our children

“Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this new day and opportunity to bless and nurture the children You have given me to raise and shepherd for Your Kingdom.

Thank you for my family and giving me (please name them) as my child/children. Children are a heritage from you and I give you praise for creating each child so unique. 

Psalm 127:3 ESV  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

I praise You that You carefully knit each child in the womb, and You have a plan and a purpose for every one of us. Help me remember to praise You for Your designs and release my children to Your hands. I declare that Your care and love for my child/children are infinitely more than mine.  Teach me to trust You to provide all their needs and training through me, so that they fulfill their God-given purpose for their lives.

Psalm 138:16 ESV  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Show me what it means to parent in faith, and not in fear!

I commit to teaching my child/children to follow you with all their hearts and to show them Your love, righteousness, and grace through the kindness of my actions and words. I thank You for Your promises that when we train our children to follow You, they will have peace and prosper in You.

Isaiah 54:13 ESV All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Thank you that it is You who establishes each one of our steps. Nothing I could ever plan can outshine Your plans. Please bring good godly people into my children’s lives so that they may learn from others what I am unable to teach them. 

I welcome Your protective cover over my family and me. Please put a wall around us against sickness, harm, and evil. 

Psalm 91:9-10 ESV  Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place — the Most High, who is my refuge, no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

May You always be our hope, strength, teacher, master, and first love. 

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”