Magine what it would mean for your children when the Word of God becomes the foundation of your parenting prayers. What a grand privilege and joy God has given to Christian parents: of leading and enabling our dear children to the Savior. A host of parenting issues appear in the Bible, where it is radiant with wisdom, counsel, and strength. For in its pages, there lay living truths with the extraordinary ability to change lives.
One powerful way to engage God's Word together is Lectio Divina or Selah- the ancient practice of sacred reading. Slowly read a Bible passage aloud as a family, listening for the resonating word or phrase. Reflect together, share thoughts and prayers, and then rest in God's presence. This sacred listening allows Scripture to penetrate deeply. Invite children to get creative by asking questions, drawing, acting out, or rewriting the passage. Lectio Divina shapes your family according to how God works through His transformative Word, providing eternal direction, comfort and encouragement.
The Transforming Power of Praying Scripture
Praying Scripture is about so much more than just reciting verses. When we pray God's word, it shapes the way we think, feel and live as His truths take root inside us. More than that, it aligns our whole selves - heart, mind and will - with God's perspective.
As parents, we have such a great opportunity to model this spiritual discipline for our children. By regularly lifting His promises in prayer for our family, it shows our trust in God and invites His wisdom. Guiding our children to also pray Scripture during their daily quiet times will be so formative for their relationship with the Lord as they grow.
Another powerful aspect of praying this way is that it equips us for spiritual battles. The Bible exposes our true enemy and the strategies he uses. Yet wielding Scripture's sword of truth against lies and temptation, we stand firm by Christ's power to resist evil's tricks. It's such an assurance to stand on this solid rock, especially when facing challenges that come our way as Christian parents.
Powerful Scriptures for Parenting
The Bible is full of powerful promises and parental blessings for our children that we can lift to God in prayer. Studying Scripture reveals many passages suited for parenting prayer topics. By focusing our supplications according to applicable verses, we let God's living Word influence the way we pray. Here are some examples of encouraging Scriptures parents can cover their children within prayer:
Wisdom and Guidance
The book of James offers reassurance for parents seeking wisdom in raising children. We're told that if we lack wisdom, we can boldly ask God, who gives generously without reproach (James 1:5). Covering our lives and our children's lives with this promise allows confidence that God will equip us for each challenge.
Protection
Understandably, our children's safety and wellbeing weigh heavily on our hearts. Psalms 91:4 offers comfort as a prayer, describing God covering us with His feathers and sheltering us under His wings. What an assurance that the Almighty Himself is our little ones' ultimate protector. We can pray with thanksgiving for His protection over their lives each day.
Character Development
As parents, we want to instill strong character traits in our children, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The book of Galatians provides us with a list of the fruits of the Spirit, which we can pray over our children: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23). We ask God to cultivate these Christ-like qualities in our children's lives by praying these, Scriptures.
Spiritual Growth
One of our primary goals as Christian parents is to nurture our children's spiritual growth and encourage them to develop a personal relationship with God. The book of Proverbs offers a beautiful promise for those who train their children in the ways of the Lord: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6). By praying this Scripture over our children, we are entrusting them to God's care and asking for His guidance in their spiritual development.
Purpose and Calling
Guiding our children toward discovering their divine purpose weighs heavily on us as parents. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. This promise from God is our comfort as we pray for our children to discover their divine purposes.
Obedience
Obedience is essential to a child's upbringing, and the Bible instructs children to obey their parents in the Lord. We can pray the following verse from Ephesians over our children: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1). When we pray this Scripture, we are not only encouraging our children's obedience but also reminding ourselves of the importance of modeling godly behavior and raising godly children.
Blessing
As parents, we desire to see our children blessed and prosperous in every area of their lives. The book of Numbers provides a powerful blessing that we can pray over our children: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26). By praying this Scripture, we are invoking God's blessing, protection, and peace over our children's lives and asking for His favor to be upon them.
Final Thoughts: Nurturing Faith Through Scriptures
As Christian parents, intentionally praying God's promises transforms our hearts and families. When we surrender to His Word's guidance, it empowers our parenting by breathing new life. The foundation of our powerful prayers shapes our children's deep faith lifestyle for years to come. Continuing each day in prayerful Scripture nourishes their souls, guides their steps in His light, and sustains them through all seasons. Through this spiritual strength, we also draw closer to God and find solace in His strength during the challenges of parenthood. Most importantly, we guide our children's lifelong relationship with their Savior through the power of dwelling daily in His living, active Word.