Prayer for Children's Protection and Guidance
Prayers offer a great opportunity to be close to God and see his work in our lives and the lives of our children. It offers a door for Jesus to come in and exercise his power. Perhaps some of us don’t know how to pray, or we feel as though our prayers fall short. But, you can be sure that the power of the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even in those moments when we don’t have words to express ourselves. I've found myself in such moments, struggling to find the right words, but then I recall the Bible verse that says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (). This reminds me that God understands our hearts and the hearts of our children, and He is always ready to listen and guide us. For instance, I recall a family dinner where my child expressed concerns about an upcoming exam, and I took the opportunity to share with them how God had helped me in similar situations, reassuring them that He would do the same for them, and together we prayed for wisdom and calmness. As I reflect on that moment, I'm reminded of the importance of creating a safe space for our children to express their fears and worries, and I've made it a point to regularly ask my child about their concerns, listening attentively to their responses and offering guidance and prayer.
It is a fact that these days we don't know what may happen in the coming weeks. These are times of uncertainty and most everyone feels anxious. The current situation is unequivocally stressful for everyone. As parents we want to make sure we provide support to our children so they can feel safe. I remember a recent evening when my own child expressed fear about the future; I took a deep breath, got down to their level, and said, "You know what? I'm scared sometimes too, but we have a Father in heaven who loves us and wants to protect us." In the midst of this health crisis, even as we face our own worries we must remain calm and most importantly, faithful and hopeful so we may continue to encourage them and protect them through this difficult time. Lets take a moment to pray for all the children of the world so they may stay safe and find ways to experience God’s love.
Dear Father, I come to you to ask for help during this time full of anxiety and fear. Please give me peace and help me live in a way that my children can see your qualities in me. Help me guide them so they can get to know you and receive your salvation. Lord, please keep them safe and healthy. Give strength to those who are ill and fortify their spirits so they may not live in fear. Please give them wisdom to stand for what is right and humility to be worthy of God’s love. I place my child in your hands and trust that you will protect him. Protect them from all evil and keep them free from becoming dependent on earthly things. I ask to keep our children safe as they begin each new day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
