Praying for our children...

A good friend of mine (yes, I have some super great friends) sent me this article that her Mom had found in a ministry magazine called "In Touch". I love this! The article tells us 10 things to pray about in reference to our children.

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" James 5:16

1. FOR GODLY WISDOM. Pray that your child will have Godly - not worldly - wisdom. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Ask for your children to receive that liberal application of Godly wisdom.

2. FOR CHARACTER. This is not an easy prayer for parents, since we all know how character is developed - through trial. As hard as it is to pray for trouble in our children's lives, we know that challenges, disappointments, and even heartache are what will help them grow into the Godly men and women they were created to be. So brace yourself, pray for character, and  - while you're at it - ask for a healthy dose of self-control on your part to stay out of God's way while He's at work in your kids' lives.

3. FOR A SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE. Pray that your children will give their best to everything they attempt, because if they're Christians, they place His name on whatever they do.

4. FOR A DESIRE TO KNOW GOD. Pray that your child will have a hunger and thirst to know God more every day - and an undivided heart to seek and serve Him.

5. FOR DIRECTION. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. Pray that your children will learn at a young age to seek God's direction and guidance in all things, do by the time they make the big decisions - like college, career, and marriage - they'll be in the habit of following His perfect plan every step of the way.

6. FOR FAVOR. There's nothing wrong with praying that your children will have favor with teachers, school administrators, coaches, and eventually employers - as well as with classmates, teammates, and co-workers - and that they'll be liked and appreciated for who they are.

7. FOR DISCERNMENT. Ask God to let them see as He sees, be attracted to what pleases and glorifies Him, be repelled by the things that displease Him, and understand the difference clearly and consistently.

8. FOR THE RIGHT FRIENDS/SPOUSE. The Bible is clear on what type of person a believer should marry - another believer. Second Corinthians 6:14 warns, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers." Pray that your children will value Christian friends, that the Father will "pave" their way with faithful Christians, and that they'll eventually find their way to Godly mates, as the Lord intends. Also pray for their future spouses' upbringing. Go ahead and start praying for the men and women that our children will be marrying some day.

9. FOR RESPECT TOWARD AUTHORITY. If this generation had a slogan, it would be "no fear!" Our children are conditioned by TV, movies and songs not to respect parents, teachers, school administrators, police officers, or government officials - rude is cool. Pray that your kids will have proper respect for everyone from the President to the boss at their part-time job and appropriate fear toward God.

It's never too late to pray for your children. Whether your in the footed pajamas and sippy cup stage or your world is filled with prom dresses and drivers permits - or you're praying for kids who have kids of their own - remember that Philippians 4:6 tells us parents, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."