Ephesians Prayer Guide - Day 20

Children are a gift from the Lord. Our children are struggling today – addiction, loneliness, depression, gender confusion, worlds saturated in the social media stream rather than in relationship… Suicide is an epidemic. More than ever, many students fail to have an identity rooted in Christ. We need a revival in this generation – the Lord is after our teens and children, stirring up a fire for Him. He is after those who seek after Him first!

Pray Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. NIV

The first step is raising up children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). We cannot make decisions for them when they are adults, but we can steer them as they are young. Teach them honor, teach them obedience – this builds into their relationship with the Lord as they grow older.

Teach them the precepts of the Lord, teach them the fear of the Lord.

The young lions lack [food] and grow hungry,
But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience]. Psalm 34:10-11 AMP

Do not neglect teaching your children. The Lord has given them into your hands to raise – what a privilege and responsibility! The Lord did not put this responsibility into the “church’s” hands, but into the hands of the parents.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 AMP

If you are a parent, pray through the above passage, and let the Lord brings ideas to mind in how to begin/continue planting the Word. If you are not a parent, pray for the kids in your life for whom you have a heart for.

Teach your children to SEEK THE LORD! Pray the following passage over your own children as well as those the Lord lays on your heart.

Remember what you were taught from your childhood from the Holy Scrolls which can impart to you wisdom to experience everlasting life through the faith of Jesus, the Anointed One! 16 Every Scripture has been written by the Holy Spirit, the breath of God. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. 17 Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 TPT™

Continue to press in as parents (or pray for parents you know of children and teens) to pour into your children for the Lord!

…to be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership—not as a way to gain finances dishonestly but as a way to eagerly and cheerfully serve. 3 Don’t be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 TPT™

Let’s battle in prayer for our youth today, for wayward children… Let’s call the prodigals home. Pray for identities deeply rooted and established in him. Allow God to lay children on your heart today – each time you have a name/face pop up in your mind, ask the Lord to lead you in how to pray for them.