At the October Grand Connect gathering, Donna Padis shared with us some principles about praying for our adult children. The following were some of her points:
God has given each of us the opportunity to partner with Him in the destiny he has for our children…through prayer. Our efforts to solve, worry about, or ”fix” our children’s problems leaves little room for God to finish writing their stories. (Philippians 1:6)
Jesus tells us in John 15:7-8 that the more we allow the Bible to shape our prayers, the more our requests will line up with God’s plans. This is so clearly true in praying for our children.
We are not alone and it is NEVER too late to start praying scriptures for our adult children because our Father, who has never changed, is powerful enough to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20). “Take heart! I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33)
We want our children to become the people God meant for them to be (Ephesians 2:10) “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance”. But in order for that to happen we need to send our blessings to them as we release them to God. This blessing is an acknowledgement that our children are His and that we trust Him with their life purposes.
She also shared with us some biblical principles that she had gathered from Jodie Berndt’s book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children.
Chapter 1: The Battle Begins
“Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14)
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #1
The things you give to God in prayer – your worries, concerns and needs – are the ties that bind your heart to His. Our struggles are His Entry Points.
Prayer is a “partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth”.
(Philippians 1:6 …Isaiah 40:28…Isaiah 55:11…John 15:7)
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #2
The more we allow the Bible to shape our prayers, the more our requests will line up with God’s Plans.
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #3
It’s never too late to start praying God’s best for your children.
(John 16:33…Ephesians 3:20…Luke 1:37…Exodus 17:8-13)
Chapter 2: Blessing and Releasing Your Adult Child
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #4
Our adult children have different needs, but all of them can use the prayer of blessing.
(Ephesians 2:10…1Samuel 1:28)
PRAYER PRINCPLE #5
A blessing is not the same thing as an endorsement. It’s a way of handing our children’s future over to God.
(Numbers 6:22-27…Deuteronomy 33:27)
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #6
As you pray God’s blessings on your children, release your plans and trust God to accomplish His.
(1 Peter 4:10…Genesis 12:1-3…John 1:14)
The Bible’s best-known blessings is when God tells Abraham to leave his own country and go to a new land. I will make you into a great nation and bless you. The ultimate fulfillment of this blessing is found in Jesus. When we take the Scriptures and use them as prayers of blessings, we are literally covering them with the presence of Jesus.
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #7
God’s ways are not our ways. Ask Him to show you HOW to pray for your children.
(Ezekiel 36:26…Philippians 1:2-6…1 John 2:16-27…Romans 2:4)
PRAYER PRINCIPLE #8 AND #9
As your children navigate the path to adulthood, ask God to help them be wise and make the most of every opportunity.
God gave your children unique talents and abilities. Trust Him to put these attributes to good use:
- Acknowledge God’s Hand on their lives, even before they were born.
- Admit any areas we resent in the way God put our children together.
- Accept God’s design for each child, thanking Him for how he or she is made.
- Ally ourselves with God in His Plans for their lives.
