Parenthood is hard work.

Without a doubt, parents would agree that raising children  is a paradoxical blend of commitment, joy, angst, drudgery, and happiness. These can leave us feeling confident or incapable, delighted or defeated, and ready to laugh or cry – sometimes all in the same afternoon. Being handed a tiny person whose very life is dependent upon you conjures up both joy unspeakable and a weighty responsibility that threatens to break your heart with its heaviness.

As Christian parents, we want to get this right. We want to protect our children from hard lessons, but yet we know our own lives prove the old adage, “Lessons are more caught that taught.” Life is indeed a classroom, and we learn best through experiences and circumstances.  The implication for parenting, then, is that we are engaged in on-the-job training and learning. We don’t get to figure it all out first and then begin the parenting journey. It’s the living that brings the learning. We are changing and growing as we go, and sometimes our children are teaching us, too. We finally figure out something that works and then our children are growing into a new stage or season with new needs and challenges. It often feels like the only constant is change.

Take a time out.

Breathe.

There is a constant that does not change: our holy God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is our ever-present help, our anchor in the many storms, and the one we praise for the joy of being a parent. He is the genius who thought up family and gave us these precious ones to love!

The Psalmist wrote, “…in his word I put my hope”. (Psalm 130:5). God’s Word brings comfort, guidance, and direction for Christian parents. We are not left to our own devices and values, or limited by our own resourcefulness. God’s Word offers direction for all areas of life and is particularly helpful to us as parents.  We can let the Word do the work!

Let’s consider Psalm 127:4, “Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.”

We are at war! Ours is a spiritual battle. Are we raising warriors for God’s Kingdom or only successful citizens of this world? Are we praying our children will change the culture? Are we concerned the culture is changing them?

Are we raising warriors for God’s Kingdom or only successful citizens of this world? Are we praying our children will change the culture? Are we concerned the culture is changing them? Click To Tweet

When an arrow is released, it goes ahead of the warrior – to a place distant where they cannot engage in face-to-face battle. Our children will be released to places and people both geographically and time-wise where and when we will not go. At least two characteristics are necessary for a good arrow: it must have a straight shaft, and it must have a sharp point. The straight shaft ensures it arrives at the target without veering off course. The sharp point ensures it is effective when it gets there. God’s Word will hone, shape, and sharpen to ensure the arrow hits the mark effectively.

Let’s begin by praying our children come to faith at an early age, and then that the roots of their faith go deep. Let’s ask God to grow warriors with an active faith who intentionally use their gifts and talents from Him to actively serve Him.

Because of God’s Word, I am forgiven for the parenting mistakes of my past. Because of God’s Word, I can parent my child well in today’s season. Because of God’s Word, I have confident faith in my child’s future.

As parents, we don’t claim the credit for our child’s successes, so we also need not accept all the blame for their poor choices.  God has no grandchildren! Allow I Peter 4:8b to reassure you as a parent, “…love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Because of God’s Word, I am forgiven for the parenting mistakes of my past. Because of God’s Word, I can parent my child well in today’s season. Because of God’s Word, I have confident faith in my child’s future. Click To Tweet

Join with me in praying the passages below over our children, grandchildren, or anyone you love. Use the prayers as prompts, but (of course) feel free to tailor them to your own child or family.

Sunday – Romans 3:20 Salvation “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Lord, I pray my child would love your Word. Show him the danger of accepting only selected passages and rejecting what he/she does not agree with. Give him/her the maturity to see the law as a mirror revealing sin and prompting the need for a Savior.

Monday – I John 1:8-9 Confession “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I pray my child would not fall prey to the deception that ignores the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, God, that your mercy never fails and you are a forgiving God.

Tuesday – Romans 2:4  Repentance “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Lord, I pray my child would welcome conviction, embracing it as your kindness. I pray my child’s spirit would respond to conviction with repentance.

Wednesday – I Peter 1:22b  Love Deeply “…love one another deeply, from the heart.” Jesus, I pray my child would love sacrificially, unselfishly, stubbornly, and deeply.

Thursday – Acts 20:35b Live an Active Faith “…the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” God, I pray my child would be a joyful giver of time, talent, and treasure.

Friday, — John 14:21a Obedient spirit “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me…” Jesus, let my child see that obedience brings blessing. Let his/her belief prompt changed behavior.

Saturday – Acts 28:31 Share the Gospel “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” I pray my child would have courage to boldly share the love of Christ and truth of the gospel.

God’s Word provides the words to pray to Him when we have none of our own. It renews our parental strength and reassures us of God’s provision.

 

Download a printable version of the Daily Verses & Prayers for Our Children: Arrows for the Kingdom .