Parent's Prayer Program

A Parent's Prayer Program, by Bob Hostetler

For years, like any responsible Christian parent, I prayed for my two children, Aubrey and Aaron.  I prayed for God's blessing and protection throughout their days.  I prayed for them to be happy. I asked God to help them through difficult times and to help them make wise choices.  My prayers were regular, heartfelt and, for the most part, pedestrian and repetitive.

I wanted more than that, however.  I wanted so much for my children, but when I knelt in prayer I invariably found the same tired words rolling from my lips. 

Then one day, Nancy, our pastor's wife, spoke during a morning worship service.  Her words changed my prayer life.  She said her concern that her children's Christian morals and the fruits of the Spirit had prompted her to develop a unique prayer list that included reminders to pray for her children's salvation and growth in grace, as well as other specific concerns.

That day I decided to follow Nancy's example and develop a "parent's prayer program" of my own, a simple practice that has revolutionized the way I pray for my children.  Each day of the month, in addition to my prayers for their safety and for the concerns of that day, I also pray for a specific character trait, virtue or fruit of the Spirit to be planted and nurtured in my children.

Above is the monthly list I have developed, complete with brief suggestions for prayer from Scripture.  Feel free to duplicate it-or improve upon it-to help you pray specifically and purposefully for your children.

After sever several weeks praying through this list an additional benefit to my prayer program: as I prayed with my children each night, the Lord brought to mind the subject I'd prayed for that morning, and I would repeat my request in Aubrey' and Aaron's hearing.  Before long, they began to echo my praying and poured out their own hearts in prayer for the very virtues and qualities I desired to see in them.  Thus, my simple prayer program not only changed how I prayed, but also how my children prayed - and by God's grace, how they live as well.

Bob Hostetler

Bob Hostetler is an award-winning writer who lives, in Hamilton, Ohio.  His books include They Call Me A.W.O.L.. Right From Wrong and The New Tolerance (co-written with Josh McDowell). 

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Bible verses from above

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Psalm 11:7

For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.

Psalm 19:9 & 10

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 25:21

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 63:8

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 96:3

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Proverbs 1:3

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;

Proverbs 3:3

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Isaiah 45:8

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Luke 6:36

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 17:5 & 6

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"  He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

Romans 14:19

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 & 23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 6:4 & 5

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 5:1 & 2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 6:7

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

Ephesians: 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Philippians 4:12 & 13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

1 Thessalonians 1:6

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

1Thessalonians 5:6

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

1 Timothy 6:18 &19

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

2 Timothy 2: 10

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Titus 3:1 & 2

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.