Prayers For Our Children

1 Samuel 1:27-28  "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

I love these verses in 1 Samuel. They form the base for my prayers for my children. The verses remind me that the very best place for Michael and Sarah to be is in His will, firmly planted and walking on the path He has ordained for them.  

I encourage you to take the time to read 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2.  Samuel was a prophet of God during the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. These chapters include the tender account of Samuel's mother, Hannah, who was barren and tell how God answered her prayer for a child. After Samuel was born and weaned, Hannah gave her beloved son Samuel, the child she so desperately prayed for, to the LORD to be raised in the temple; serving Him. Samuel's entire life was dedicated to the LORD... he became a prophet, and anointed Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. What mighty plans God had for Samuel!  What courage, faithfulness and trust Hannah had in the LORD!

My own children are 15 and 13 years old. I can honestly say that when they were younger, I did not pray this prayer of surrender. Yes, I prayed for them; but I was wary of giving them over to God. I must admit that I wanted all the control; and I thought that only I would be the best controller, manager, planner, comforter, fixer, teacher... in their lives. It was only after drawing closer to God myself, learning to trust Him, and making Him the Center of my own life, did I realize that I needed to trust Him with the lives of my children -- the same children he knit together in my womb, (Psalm 139:13)  the same children who's every hair on their head He has numbered. (Matthew 10:30)  

Now, like Hannah, I willingly give my children to Him every day. I truly see the fruit of this prayer of surrender as He works in their lives. I gratefully accept His guidance as my husband and I intentionally parent Michael and Sarah as they mature into a new season of their lives. I am humbled that He chose my husband and me to love, nurture, and parent these two amazing children.  But there is no question that they have become who they are because God is in their lives. His path and purpose is best, and I pray that the LORD would actually bind them tightly to Him. So tight that they could never be torn from Him.  

I encourage you to pray for your children and give them to the LORD; place them in His temple and His care. Every day. Pray that His will be done, not yours. Ask God for His guidance and discernment. Daily seek His wisdom in raising your children...  because even with our best parenting intentions, we can unintentionally guide our children off His course. God will not take them off His path. His plan is always perfect for their lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, You knit my children together; You are their Creator; You are their Heavenly Father. You knew Michael and Sarah before they were born. Your plans were ordained for them in your book before one of their days came to be. (Psalm 139:16)  LORD, I place them in Your temple, I leave them in Your sanctuary. I pray for Your guidance, wisdom and discernment as my husband and I love and parent these children You have entrusted to us. Help us to make decisions that are clearly part of Your purpose and path for them. I am so very grateful for Your promise that You have them in the palm of Your hand and You will never let them go. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.