Praying For The Willingness And Ability To Work

[Editor's Note: This post is the third contribution to a wonderful series we are doing on Biblical virtues and praying for our children. I firmly believe that as parents, it is part of our responsibility, and an honor, to pray to our Father in heaven on behalf of our children. I pray you are blessed and encouraged by the words of these posts and that you will join me in my passion for growing strong, confident, loving, honorable and faithful children of God. If you missed the first two posts, be sure to go and read them: Love for God's Word and Salvation for the Next Generation]

By Jason (Connecting to Impact)

"Many people pray as if God were a big aspirin pill;
they come only when they hurt." – B. Graham Dienert

That may be true for ourselves, but it is also true many times for our children. We wish the best for them, try to set them on the proper path, but too often we forget to battle in prayer for them until they are hurt or hurting by their lack in some way.

What if besides teaching them as best we could we reinforced it with fervent prayer? The thought is exciting to me (and I am thankful to Ginny for starting my juices flowing by asking me to write about it).

I believe in the power of prayer. I have seen unmovable circumstances change dramatically and the impossible become possible as God answered a prayer of faith, but besides our bedtime prayers together, I have failed to get specific with what virtues I’d like to see instilled in my beautiful children.

Today, I’m doing something about that. I’m writing about the willingness and ability to work.

Colossians 3:23, 24 reads, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Knowing the value and blessing of work can be a long road for many kids. Adam and Eve were given a garden by God and He told them to work. God gives in grace and abundance, but He calls us also to labor with Him. It’s a part of who He’s created us to be.

Working against that truth, however, is culture, advertising, entertainment, and more. These work overtime to tell our kids that there are ways around work and promote the idea and ideal of a ‘slacker’ generation.

It should drive us to our knees to combat these false assertions, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. Would you take a moment now with me? I’m going to say this prayer and insert my children’s names and I hope you’ll do the same.

If you don’t have kids, think of a niece or nephew, a neighbor or child from church. The coming generation needs to be bathed in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for (insert child’s name). You created them with a purpose and destiny, and I praise you that they can know and experience that in You. These children are pressured from every side to find the easy way out, to succumb to seeking instant gratification, but surrendered to You, there is always an eternal reward for our work.

 I pray that they will be willing to work and give their all, to serve You and honor You in all things. You have given them abilities, and I pray that you would increase those now. May they be filled with divine creativity and curiosity. May they feel and understand your great pleasure at their working and all You lay out for them to do. Help us as adults to reinforce this in our own lives, speaking, prayers, and actions.

(Insert child’s name) has a great future and You have made every provision for their steps. Give them grace in this area of work and service, and let it all glorify You. It is in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jason is a guy who loves Jesus, his wife, and his kids. He's also the pastor of Breakthrough Church in Juneau, AK. You can check out his blog at EndlessImpact.com where the goal is to connect with others in a conversation about life, service, and faith while connecting to God who is true Impact.

Comments

[Michael]

I'm with you dude. Kid's are not just the future, they are the now. They need to be bathed in prayer in such a way that they become saturated with His presence. Joining you in this endeavor.

[jasonS]

Thanks Michael.

[Jay Cookingham]

Great prayer Bro' A parent's prayer for their kids will empower them for a lifetime. Thanks for sharing dude!

[jasonS]

Thanks Jay. I appreciate it!