What to pray when your child faces difficulties in life

There are three things for which we can pray:

• Strength
• Hope, and
• Clarity

Continue reading to find out more…

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It is not easy to stand on the side lines while our children go through difficulties or face difficult situations, but it is important to guide them and more important to pray for them.

As a parent, all we want to do is to rescue our children, to prevent terrible things from happening to them. We tend to worry first rather than trust God. The media is bombarded with terrible atrocities and things that affect people and lives, the more horror filled, the better. It is hard to release our children into a world that is so evil and trust that they will turn out okay. Yet, we cannot control it. And we definitely cannot help them by worrying and reacting in fear-filled ways to try and prevent them from ever suffering.

Hard times build character. I am not talking about violence and tragedies, I am talking about friendships, time-management, people skills, responsibility, honour, trust. Our children need to learn to negotiate life step by step while they live with us. They need to learn integrity. They need to learn discernment of character. They need to become individuals who know who they are, are confident in their identity in Christ and can walk with heads high to face the world head on. It is what we should mirror.

For those whose children have already “flown the nest”, I see how parents worry about their children. The same prayers that you prayed for them when they were at home apply to them when they leave home. Especially the following three prayers…

There are three things for which we can pray:

• Strength
• Hope, and
• Clarity

1. Pray for yourself and your children for STRENGTH:

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint

Father, today I pray for strength. Strength for me to be strong for my child, to push back the worry, fear, anxiety or despair I am feeling. Help me to wait on You to fill my heart with  faith that You work all things together for good for my child (Romans 8:28).

Help me to reign in my thoughts so that when my mind wanders to negative scenarios, I will stop those thoughts and ask You to fill me with Your heart and Your thoughts for my child.

I pray for my child, Lord. Please give him/her the strength to handle this trial and the faith to endure it. May my child also come to You for the strength they need to overcome. To walk in Your strength and not his/her own strength. Help them to feel Your presence. As he/she faces this hardship may they face it with confidence in You. In  Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Pray for yourself and your child for HOPE:

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” 

Father, when my child struggles through relationships or situations and when my child is broken by circumstances in life, it makes me feel sad. I  desperately want to fix him/her or fix the situation. I know that I cannot do that, and it is hard to see them hurting and have no control over the circumstances. Lord help me to remember that this is not the end of the story, it is just part of the story of my child’s life. I place my hope in You to fulfil Your promises concerning my child.

I pray for my child to know hope as their anchor, that all is not lost, but that there is hope. May Jeremiah 29:11 always be in their hearts – God has a plan, He has a future and He has a hope for them.

I pray that Your light will shine brightly in this time of darkness and seeming hopelessness to guide me and my child toward You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3. Pray for yourself and your child for CLARITY:

1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”  

Father, help me to that recognise chaos and confusion does not come from You. Help me to reign in my emotions. Help me to respond, not react. May Your peace flow through me bringing calmness and clarity of mind to help my child whether in word or deed to negotiate this time of trouble. Let my words and actions be wisely executed. Help me to think before I speak and to pray before I make a move. You are not the author of confusion because confusion comes from the enemy. Help me and my child see Your truth clearly in this situation, trust Your timing, and find rest in the peace from You that surpasses all understanding. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.