Praying For Our Children

What does it look like for Jesus to bless our children?

This thought came to me the other night. While rocking Luke, we were reading out of one of his children's Bibles....

Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

What a picture. Envision with me, if you will, Jesus putting his hands on your children and blessing them. Imagine.

Jesus wants for me and waits on me, as a parent, to bring my children to Him.

But oftentimes we are hindered by a culture that wants us to bring our children to everything else but Jesus.

And I don't even realize it. I don't realize how busy I get taking them here or there. I don't realize how busy I get with chores, schoolwork, sports, church, shopping, ministry, exercise, recreation, etc.

The busyness of life itself hinders me from bringing my children to Jesus.

But today, I'm a comin'!

The KJV reads "Suffer the little children to come to me."

Suffer (aphiēmi) means to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person. To leave, go way from one in order to go to another place; to depart from any one to go to another.

The Lord is saying to me this morning....Becky, bring your boys to me. Permit them to come. Do not hinder them. In order for them to come to me, you must let go first. So I can take them to another place. I want to lay hands and bless them....Will you give them up to me today? You can trust me with your children. Release them.

This is what it looks like for me to bless your children.

So as we are packing lunches, preparing backpacks, laying out school clothes, pulling up to school doors or standing at bus stops, waving our goodbyes - as our children depart from us ... let us give them over to the Lord. His hands long to rest on them. Let us not hinder Him. He will protect them.

And bless.

The following prayers are from a bookmark in my Bible created by FamilyLife ministries. Enjoy these as you pray over your children and yourself today.

Love to you all.

Lord I lift my children to YOU today and pray, according to your Word, that:

They would know Christ as Savior early in life and desire a close relationship with You throughout their childhood, teen and adult years (Luke 2:52; 2 Timothy 3:15).

They will develop the discipline of prayer and time in Your Word (Joshua 1:8; Daniel 6:10; Matthew 4:4; Philippians 4:6-7).

You will bring into their lives godly adults and friends who will help them grow in godly living (Psalm 1:1-3; Philippians 1:27; Proverbs 27:17; 1 Corinthians 4:15).

You will keep them pure and strengthen them against temptation (Job 17:9; Psalm 24:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

They would develop discernment, wisdom, responsibility, and a strong conscience (1 Kings 3:11-12; 1 Timothy 1:5; Daniel 6:3).

They will be caught if they wander into cheating, lies, or mischief (Psalm 119:71; Proverbs 20:30).

They will see other people as You do, treating them with love and kindness (Matthew 25:35-40; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:1-4).

You will protect them from emotional, physical and spiritual danger (Psalm 28:7-9; Psalm 41; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

You will prepare them to be a godly, loving, and faithful spouse or prepare them to glorify You in their singleness (1 Corinthians 7:7-8); and that You also prepare their future spouse (2 Corinthians 6:14-15; Ephesians 5:21-33).

They would leave home with an eternal perspective and Christ-like values (Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21).

They will sense Your calling on their lives and their lives will count for Your Kingdom (Psalm 78:1-8; 103:12-18; 2 Timothy 1:9).

And for myself I pray according to your Word, that:

"Help me today, Lord, to be observant of my children and sensitive to them. Give me unusual insight into their lives. Help me to be secure in Your love and care, Father...for I need your help as much as they do.

Help me give attention to my children and be available to them to give guidance in the decisions they face. Help me provide a moral foundation for them. Help me give them emotional health by valuing and caring for them.

Help me provide for their needs and prepare them for the world they'll face as they grow. Help me share my relationship with You, Father.

And today, Lord, remind me to take the time to understand my children's perspectives before I speak. Remind me to be more playful with them.

Give me the grace, Lord, to model for my children what it means to be a good and godly person. Amen."