The Most Important Thing

As I sit in the hospital today with my dear fiend,

waiting fo her 5 month old son to get out of surgery,

I have been much in payer for him. 

Prayer has got to be on the top of the list when it comes to parenting our children.

Elizabeth Elliot writes in her book, “The Shaping of A Christian Family”: 

“My father, often wrapped in a steamer rug…against the predawn cold,

fell on his knees daily beside a threadbare old armchair in his little study to pray for his children. 

This was his primary duty,

his priestly duty,

and he gave it first place in his day.”

This little vignette inspires me tremendously. 

Such passion to pray for my children with daily devotion moves me,

this is truly the heart of spiritual parenting.

My friend Carolyn  always prays the scripture back to our Heavenly Father on behalf of others.

  I think this is a great way to pray.

  So many times we don’t know what to pray, but there are guidelines to steer us.

  For several years, I have used a list of 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children, by Bob Hostetler.
May it also be a tool you can use or pass on to a friend. 

I keep this list in my Bible, where I go every morning for my spiritual breakfast.

1. Salvation.
Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.  Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10
2.  Growth in Grace.
I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 3:18
3. Love.
Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.  Ga. 5:25. Eph. 5:2
4. Honesty and Integrity.
May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.  Ps. 25:21
5. Self-Control.
Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.  1 Thess. 5:6
6. Love for God’s Word
May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than gold.  Ps.19:10
7. Justice.
God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do. Ps. 11:7, Micah 6:8
8. Mercy.
May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful. Luke 6:36
9. Respect.
Father, grant that my children show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands. 1 Peter 2:17
10. Biblical Self-esteem.
Help my children develop a strong self esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.  Eph. 2:10
11. Faithfulness.
Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablets of their hearts.  Prov. 3:3
12. Courage.
May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions.  Deut. 31:6
13. Purity.
Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions.  Ps 51:10
14.  Kindness.
Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to every one else.  1 Thess. 5:15
15.  Generosity.
Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. 1 Tim 6:18-19
16.  Peace-loving.
Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace.  Rom 14:19
17. Joy.
May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 1:6
18. Perseverance.
Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the ace marked out for them. Heb. 12:1
19. Humility.
God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility.
20.  Compassion.
Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.  Col. 3:12
21. Responsibility.
Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load. Gal. 6:5
22. Contentment.
Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength. Phil. 4:12-13
23. Faith.
I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. Luke 17:5-6, Heb. 11:1-40
24. A Servant’s Heart.
God, please help my children develop servant’s that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men.  Eph. 6:7
25.  Hope.
May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13
26. Willingness to Work.
Teach my children to value work and to work with all their heart, as working for you Lord. Col 3:23
27.  Passion for God.
Lord, please instill in my children a soul that follows hard after Thee. One that clings passionately to you.  Ps. 63:8
28. Protection.
Lord, please protect my children, guarding their course. Prov 2:8
29.  Time Management.
I pray that my children would learn to manage their time well.  Eph. 5:15
30.  Fear God.
Father, I pray that my children may have a holy fear of you.  Ps. 34:11, Prov. 9:10
31.  Trust.
May my children learn to trust you, O God, with all their heart.  Prov. 3:5,6

As I pray these things for my children each day,

it has made me more conscious to train them to that end,

to talk to them about each virtue, and how well they are exhibiting these characteristics.

  It has also made me more aware of my own shortcomings in each area.  

Often I add myself in the daily prayer.
May my children know that I pray for them every day. 

And may they continue in this path, valuing prayer in their own lives.