How to Consistently Pray for Your Child(ren)

It is always wise to not leave anything to chance...especially the future and destiny of our children.

Most of us will do absolutely anything for our kids. In fact, these days we are borderline obsessed with them. There is reason for that, after all, there should only be two things in life that are more important than one's kids (Jesus and marriage). So, it is quite natural for us to dote on them so much that we even spoil them. But irrespective of what you can afford to give your child here on earth, the greatest gift you can ever give them is the gift of PRAYER.

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Can it really make a difference in the decades stretched out ahead of your child(ren)? Oh yes, it can. If not, Job would not have been so intentional about it: 

Job 1:4-5 4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly. (NKJV emphasis added)

All of us can agree that life is hard. In fact, in Ecclesiastes 4, Solomon actually says it is best to never have been born! Thank God we are no longer subject to such despair because of Jesus...now we have hope. We have hope that our lives on earth do not have to be meaningless but can count for eternity. The choices we make, the opportunities we get, the challenges we face...all define the kind of earthly life we end up living, the legacy we leave behind, and the eternal life we later move on to.

I do not know about you, but when I consider the present state of our world, it is hard not to worry about what lies ahead of my kids. But, I deal with this anxiety by praying for them (Philippians 4:6). 

A few years ago, it came to my attention that most people who grew up in Pentecostal homes are familiar with the experience of being woken up in the middle of the night by the voice or touch of a parent praying for them. Then I noticed that these same people who grew up with parents who intentionally, specifically, and regularly prayed for them seemed to have an advantage that the rest of us did not. It is hard not to notice how "lucky" they are. I daresay, more than the average person. And usually, independent of their own effort at spiritual things.

I want my children to have this advantage. So, I made up my mind to commit to praying specifically and consistently for them. I desperately want life to be easier for them. I do not want them to fight the battles I had to. Some of which I am still fighting.

James 5:16 assures me that my effort is not in vain...effective and fervent prayer makes a difference. 

It was very hard initially to be consistent, but over time I improved. I think these 5 main things were, and still are, very helpful:

1. I chose a convenient time every week to pray for them. 
2. I set an alarm to remind me.
3. I use a journal. I created this journal because I could not find any that had what I wanted.
4. I have a couple of accountability partners. We keep each other motivated. 
5. I regularly (during my monthly retreats) evaluate how I am doing.

I hope these tips help you too. I am absolutely certain it is worth the sacrifice and investment of your time and effort.