“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you” Genesis 17:7 (NIV).
In Genesis chapter 17, God tells Abraham in his old age that God’s going to make him the father of many nations, and that the covenant is not only for him, but for his children and his children’s children. God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male in his household as a sign of the covenant. Well, as believers, we are part of God’s new covenant through our faith in Jesus Christ, and God’s made a promise to us as well. He will be the God of our children’s children, and we have benefits as believers. We have complete access to God.
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household’” Acts 16:31 (NIV).
We can ask or petition God on the behalf of our children, and God will hear our prayers. All we have to do is ask and receive, and I believe God wants us to get specific in our prayers for our children.
We know children today face obstacles we did not have to face as youth. School shootings and bullying through social media are two examples. Children and teens are faced with an insurmountable amount of pressure, and it is up to us as parents to stand in the gap on their behalf and ask God to meet their specific needs. We don’t have to be shy when making our requests known because the Bible says we can come boldly into God’s presence through prayer knowing he hears us. We can get specific.
One area I pray specific prayers for my children is their friends. At least twice a week, I ask God to put people around them and in their lives who know God and who know the Word of God to reinforce the faith in Jesus Christ I am trying to instill at home. This has been my constant prayer because I know how influential other children can be. Well, a couple of months ago, my son started talking about a little girl named Peace. He told me Peace asked him if he goes to church every Sunday. My son told her yes and that his mom is a minister. It turns out that Peace’s father is a minister as well. Every week, my son tells me how he and Peace know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and how they talk about their experiences in church. It’s awesome. I’ve been specific in my prayers about my children meeting godly friends, and God’s is giving me exactly what I’m asking for.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” Philippians 4:6 (NIV).
I believe God wants us to try him and be specific when it comes to prayers for our children. Take time to think about it. What does your child need today? Is it self-control, motivation, godly friends, peace, courage, understanding? Get specific in your prayers and watch God work.