As mamas, we cover our children in many things. We cover them in blankets when it’s cold. We cover them in kisses when they’re sad or hurt. And when from the time they take their first breath, until we take our last, we cover them with our love. All of these are good things. As mamas, it is our job to love and protect our children, and to make them feel safe and secure. However, all of this is in vain if we don’t cover our children in prayer.
From the time I even suspected that I might possibly be pregnant, I began praying for my future child. I prayed that my child would grow to be a strong and mighty warrior for God, that my child would live a life that honors and glorifies God. I prayed that God would use my child for His kingdom, and that my husband and I would be the parents God has called us to be. Before I got pregnant, I prayed for the other children God placed in my life. I prayed for my step-daughters to walk with the Lord, for them to love God above all else, and for them to be witnesses and disciples for Jesus. I prayed that they would be mighty women for God, and share His gospel and love with others. And I prayed that my husband and I would be the parents He’s called us to be; that we would be an example of a godly marriage.
Now that my son is here, I continue to cover him in these prayers. I continue to cover my step-daughters in these prayers, too. I believe that my biggest responsibility and blessing as a mama is to pray for the children God has placed under my influence.
I want to include some scripture to aide in praying for your children:
Matthew 22:37-40: “37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Exodus 20:3-5: “3 you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God”
I pray they will love the Lord with all they have and all they are. I pray that God will shine brighter to them than the things of this world, and He will be first.
1 John 1:7 “7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Colossians 2:6 “6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him,”
I pray that the children walk daily with the Lord, as they have been called to, and that they share His light with others. I pray they would live their lives in Jesus and find their identity only in Him.
Micah 6:8: “8 and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
I pray that all three of the children God has place directly under my influence will grow to be strong, mighty warriors for Christ. Not so any of them gets the glory, or so that we, as parents get any glory. I pray this so they can honor and glorify God. I pray this so they will have the boldness to go out into this world and share the gospel message with others.
My prayer life is in no way perfect, but the Lord is drawing me closer to Him the more time I spend in prayer. One of the greatest honors of motherhood is praying for the children God has placed in my life! I pray that you will join me in praying for your children, or if you don’t have children, that you will pray for the children God has placed around you.
Graceful Living 