Praying For Your Children

I believe that all parents pray for their children. Perhaps you might have uttered the following:

“Lord, ingatan mo po ang anak ko pag-uwi”

“Sana po maka-graduate ang anak ko.”

“Lord, ilayo mo po siya sa masamang barkada.”

“Sana po di makasira ang computer games sa pag-aaral ng anak ko.”

“Lord, tulungan mong makapasa ang anak ko sa long tests niya ngayon.”

These are prayers from the heart of loving parent. It is a godly thing to pray for your children.

What should we pray for regarding our children? I suggest that parents include the following in their prayers:

1. Pray for your child’s salvation.

The Lord said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt.19:14) Pray for this with confidence for this is God’s will. My wife and I prayed for the salvation of our children even before they were born. Pinagbubuntis pa lang. And I prayed for the chance to share them the Gospel of Christ.

2. Pray that you child may be impressed by God’s Word as you teach them the Bible

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:6-7) Pray that they may adore and love God’s Word. In their younger days, I read and teach my sons passages from the Bible as they grow. I praise God whenever they are awed by what God has done and by who God is (Nature and Character of God) and by the Bible truths that were validated by scientists centuries later. Using God-given authority as parents, every day we ask them to read a passage of the Scriptures. Sana po humanga sila sa Iyong Salita. Sana po hindi nila malimutan ang Iyong Salita.

3. Pray that your child may walk in the truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4). Pray that your child may walk (or live) according to God’s Word.  In our family prayer time, I always pray: “Lord, sana lumaki silang may takot sa iyo at maging godly.” God knows this is our desire as parents and I let my sons know that this is our prayer.

4. Pray that they may grow in the knowledge of God

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18). Pray that your child may grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This is the Lord’s prayer: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3). Clearly this is God’s will. I hope that this might be their goal in life: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10)

5. Pray that they may be wise

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov 2:1-6)

This is our special prayer for our sons: That they may be wise. Even before they were born, we asked God to give them wisdom and understanding. For we know that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10).

6. Pray for great dreams for your child

Every parent wants the best for his child. I also do. I had my share of prayers that God would help my sons win every contest in Math, Chemistry, Physics, Economics and even chess tournaments. Well, the truth is they did not win every time. There were more disappointments than gold medals. Sometimes we had to go to God and ask Him how come we lost.

But I have great dreams for my sons and I prayed that God would grant them success in whatever field of endeavor that God may place them in. I asked God to choose their college courses and careers and that my sons would love what God has chosen for them.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)

So, to fellow fathers [and mothers], talk to the Father about your children. I am sure He would love talking to you about your children.

Btw, I forgot to mention that I have already asked God to prepare my future daughters-in-law. I am sure my 18-year old and 14-year old sons won’t mind that I have been praying for this, too.