How to pray God's words over your kids


Do you pray Scriptures over your children? Colossians 1:3-14 is one of my favorite passages to pray over my kids. When I speak the words that Paul wrote to his spiritual children in Colossae, I feel the invocation of God's Spirit over them. What could be more powerful than praying words that God inspired himself? Here's how to do pray God's words over your kids:

1. Direct your words towards God. When you read a passage in the Bible that you want to pray to God, say the words to him. For instance, Paul says We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. You can pray this to God by saying, "Lord, you are my gracious father, and you love me as you love Jesus; thank you for giving me my children." Already, you've put yourself in a correct frame of mind to intercede. (God loves you, and He is a good father. He wants to answer your prayers!)
2. Apply the words to your children. If the Bible says something like we have not stopped praying for you, you can re-phrase that into a prayer by praying, "Help me to continually lift up my children to you in prayer, instead of trying to control circumstances myself." Then do it.
3. Intercede for your kids, using God's words. For example, if the Bible says For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, make intercession by saying: "Rescue them from the darkness and the enslavement of this world and its temptations. Intercept their lives through individuals and through conversations that point them toward You and away from this world."

Here's an example of how I pray this passage in Colossians:

Dear Lord,
I thank you for the blessing of my children! I ask in Jesus' name for you to guide me as I point them toward you and your will. I ask that you would help them live a life worthy of you, to please you in every way, to bear spiritual fruit, and to grow in the knowledge of God. Strengthen them with all power and give them endurance, patience, joy, and thankfulness. Lead them in a lifestyle that qualifies them to share in your inheritance in glory. Guide them into kingdom-thinking, to love only things with eternal value! Thank you for forgiving their sins, inspiring them to change, and calling them to participate in your mission. Convict, encourage and strengthen them, and give them discernment and wisdom over all things--what they see, what they hear, what they do, what they believe. Speak to them and through them, with the power of the Holy Spirit. I praise you and thank you for what you're going to do in their lives and in my life, as their mother, because I've been privileged to know them and love them. I ask all these things--believing that you will accomplish and exceed my wildest dreams--in the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=col+1%3A3-14&version=NIV

first image courtesy of Portrait Innovations
I am passionate about the Christian calling, my family, and the arts. And dessert and travel. And being outside in the beautiful world God has created.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

Prayer and fasting

Image
Often, people talk about fasting because they want God to answer a request or give them some direction. This is only partly correct. Yes, prayer and fasting facilitates the ability to hear God clearly. But fasting is not a trigger for hearing God. When you need something, the solution is not to skip a meal and ask God to show up. That would make God our servant rather than our Lord. Fasting does, however, begin to prepare your heart, which is a trigger for changed motives and behavior. When accompanied by prayer and Bible-reading, fasting prepares you for dramatic change. It clears your mind and heart to receive wisdom from God and hear His voice. Notice the passage below (it's not one of the typical fasting passages): Jeremiah 36:6-7 So you go to the house of the  Lord  on a day of fasting  and read to the people from the scroll the words of the  Lord  that you wrote as I dictated.  Read them to all the people of Judah  who come in from their...
Read more

Thanks for another year of blessing

Image
Dear Lord of heaven and earth, Thank you for another year . It's a blessing. All of it. Life is a gift. Thank you. Thank you for my family, friends, children, and the means to communicate with them and enjoy them. Thank you for my marriage and my home. Thank you for a safe neighborhood, running water and electricity, new clothes, food choices, electronics and appliances, cars, heat, air conditioning, comfort. Thank you for the ability to get things I want or need. Thank you for all that I take for granted in this country . I'm ashamed that I ever complain about what you provide for me. Thank you for the police and fire departments, for civil services, hospitals, schools, government. Thank you that although our institutions are flawed, that fairness, equality, and justice are still important in my country. Thank you for the right to vote and get an attorney if I need one. Once again, I'm ashamed that I feel entitled to better government and perfect living condit...
Read more

What to pray when you feel yourself shutting down

Image
It's happening--the emotional shut-down is coming! Have you ever felt this way? I have. Here are a couple suggestions and a prayer: Pace yourself to prevent feeling overwhelmed; plan down-time, with non-productive or creative activities. Pray and read your Bible. You need God's presence to re-orient you within a world that never stops pressuring you. Talk to a professional or wise friend or mentor. Venting only feels good temporarily and then reinforces your negative outlook. Hearing the truth and believing it will set you free. Hang out with affirming close friends & family. Your tendency when life is tough will be to isolate yourself; that's when the negativity grows. And now a prayer for renewal: Dear Lord Jesus, You understand what it means to be tired, overwhelmed, depressed, and frustrated. That's how I feel. Please guard my heart and mind, Holy Spirit,  from believing the lies that I'm not enough, that I can't do this, ...
Read more