“Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” (Philippians 1:4, NKJV)
In many places, a new school year will begin soon. As the children stream back into the classrooms, have you ever wondered how many have a mom or dad at home praying for them? Or are they walking through those classroom doors without a covering of prayer?
While I don’t personally have a child starting classes, I do know things are much different today than when I attended school. Growing up in a small town in a kinder, gentler era, I felt safe and secure. I also had parents who prayed and a church family that cared.
Not every child is blessed to have praying parents. Not every mom and dad know how to pray for their children. Perhaps they do not attend church or have never been taught about God. Perhaps they just aren’t in the picture at all due to death, divorce, or abandonment. But everyone, regardless of age or circumstance, needs to have someone praying for them! That someone could be you or me.
Some of us may not have children at home, but our prayers are still needed for the children in our community. They need prayer for their safety, for positive influences in their lives, and that they will grow into respectful, honest, and kind individuals. We want to see them become responsible citizens, self-disciplined, and good workers.
HOW TO PRAY
How do we pray for someone else’s child? The same way we would pray for our own. Pray for their salvation, protection, and friendships. Pray they will make wise choices in life. Pray for their faithfulness, integrity, and purity. Just pray — because prayer really does make a difference.
In addition to praying for the students of our community, let’s also pray that God’s hand will be upon those who interact with and influence them each day. This includes teachers, administrators, counselors, support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, maintenance staff, and others. So many people are a part of each child’s life. When you feel it is appropriate, let these people know that you honor them for the work they do and that you are praying for them.
Never underestimate the power of prayer. Through prayer our homes, our schools, and our communities become havens of peace and safety.
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16, NKJV).
SUGGESTED PRAYER POINTS
- For protection and safety
- To make wise choices in friends
- To be able to discern truth recognize deception
- To develop a heart that loves God and desires to serve him
- For their basic needs to be met
- That they will be free from anxiety and fear
- For good physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health
- That they will be surrounded by love and peace
- To develop good character traits
- To grow physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
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