Honoring parents means more than sending cards on special days. And it’s more than an occasional invitation to dinner.
In the biblical context (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2), it includes respect and a commitment of grown children to care for their parents, especially when they are infirmed. It is one beautiful outworking of the Gospel. God cares for us, His children, and He models what ongoing, compassionate ministry looks like.
One of the greatest privileges of my adult life has been to pray for my elderly mom. Although we are separated by many miles and the burden of physical caring for her falls mostly on my precious sister, I do what I can and I love to pray for Mom.
Here are some of the things I’ve found useful to pray over the years. Perhaps they will be a template for prayers for your parent.
Father God…
I pray for your continuing PROVIDENCE in my parent’s life.
I am grateful my parent trusted in You long ago, but I know there are many parents and elderly loved ones who still do not know you, Lord, and I ask you to woo them to Yourself and bring about their salvation and transformation (Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9).
I pray You will bring to my loved one’s remembrance all the ways You have been their hope and help—in many cases since childhood (Psalm 62:5; 71:5; 121:2).
I thank you for all the ways You used my parent to shape my young life. What a precious gift! My parent guided me in practical ways and showed me how to trust You. Although my parent was not perfect, I sensed the desire to mold me into a good person, and I’m thankful I was encouraged to become a Christ-follower.
And now the roles are reversed. I have the privilege to help and serve, and remind my loved one of Your tender, shepherding care. Give me patience, wisdom and an understanding heart. Help me continue to show respect and appreciation, and to value who You, in Your Providence, created my loved one to be (Exodus 20:12)
Ultimately, I know Your care for my parent is beyond anything I can offer, for every good gift comes from You (James 1:17).
I pray for PROTECTION.
I pray my parent will keep on leaning on You, the Rock of strength and righteousness (Psalm 71:3a; 73:26; 92:12-15). Spread your protection over my parent, because You are the ultimate Refuge (Psalm 5:11; 46:1).
I ask you to protect my parent from the evil one, and show the way out in moments of temptation (2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 10:13). May wisdom, discretion and understanding protect and guide every day (Proverbs 4:6; 2:11; 138:7).
I pray my parent will be courageous, confident in Your presence, help and deliverance (Psalm 121:1-8; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 34:19; Psalm 91).
I pray for PROVISION—that you will meet my loved one’s needs.
Show me how to meet my parent’s needs in ways that will please You, Lord. Equip me to be a good steward in my loved one’s care (1 Timothy 4:5; 5:1-2).
There is much I can do, but You are the Great Provider. Thank you for your willingness to supply my parent’s needs for Your glory and my loved one’s joy (Romans 8:32; Matthew 6:31-32; 7:11; Philippians 4:19; John 14:13-14; 16:23-24). I pray my parent will be made holy through Your grace and receive Your good favor (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Psalm 84:11)
I pray for POWER, your strength in my parent’s weakness.
As strength declines, I pray for a greater sense of Your presence and power (Psalm 71:9, 18a). You are mighty, Father, and our strength is in You alone (Ephesians 6:10).
In times of need, help my parent lean on your sufficiency and everlasting arms (2 Corinthians 9:8; Deuteronomy 33:27); and when life feels so impossible, remind my loved one that nothing is impossible with You (Matthew 19:26).
I pray for PEACE in my parent’s aging years.
I ask You to give my parent a trusting and thankful heart, especially as days grow more difficult (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Help my aging parent take every disappointment to You. Preserve from any bitterness or spirit of discontent (Psalm 25:21).
I pray the Holy Spirit will teach and comfort, guide and calm (John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 1:4), and that my parent will not become discouraged in aging.
I pray for continuing PURPOSE.
I ask you to help my parent flourish—“like the palm tree… bearing fruit in their old age”—with an eternal perspective (Psalm 92:12-15). Work in my loved one’s life for Your glory (2 Corinthians 4:16). Open appropriate opportunities for ministry and influence.
Help my parent live as a holy and faithful role model, Father, for as long as you allow (Titus 2:2-5). I pray my parent, from a wealth of experience, will share important life lessons You still want me to learn.
Fill my parent’s mouth with Your praise, and a desire to worship and bring You glory from a testimony strong and true (Psalm 71:8).
Thank you for the many ways parents can influence children and grandchildren for good. I pray my loved one will, by word and deed, proclaim Your power and care to this generation (Psalm 71:18b).
Father, I thank you for Jesus, who makes possible our God-honoring transition from this world to everlasting glory. As I pray these things for my parent, I pray them for myself as well. I pray we all will someday hear Your “well done.” Amen!
Dawn Wilson and her husband Bob live in Southern California. They have two married sons and three granddaughters. Dawn assists author and radio host Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth with research and works with various departments at Revive Our Hearts. She is the founder and director of Heart Choices Today, and also publishes LOL with God and Upgrade with Dawn and writes for Crosswalk.com. Dawn also travels with her husband in ministry with the International School Project.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 23, 2017
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
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*Building
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Family is the unique school of living in relationships. In a conscious parenting, children imbibevalues and principles through the interactions that parents and others model in their lives. Un-conditional parenting enhances personal growth and provides emotional healing.
Ritual: Family Tree OR Family Vision/Mission StatementFamily Tree:
‘Children ought to receive two thins from parents: roots and wings’(J.V.Goethe).Family is a circle of strength and love; with every birth the circle grows and with every crisisfaced together makes the circle stronger. (Observe the Family Tree is prepared earlier)
OR
Family Vision
: ‘If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal’ (A. Einstein). We are here tolive with a finer spirit to enrich the world. Family vision statement help define the priorities for the family. A Vision with action can change the world for ‘where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Prov. 29:18).{Family Vision/Mission Statement written earlier (could be reviewed and revised every year)}
Vision: We the family (name…) pledge to be a
living church of Christin gospel values.
Mission:
Our (name) – family commits to be
Christ Centered in a nurturing faith atmosphere
-where we make space for God in our family and our lives; where we appreciate creation, respectthe earth and its resources; where we accept the uniqueness of every family member giving our time and attention; we cultivate dialogue in a trusting environment; we overlook shortcomingsand forgive hurts; and we promote universal brotherhood in a spirit of compassion and service.
{Family joins in to read, affirm (hug) and sign it – display in the prominent place at home.}
Child’s Prayer For Parents:
1. Child 1: (for parents)Thank you, O God, for my home, for my parents, for the tender love, security and prospects of learning I have been given. Forgive us for the times we have hurt and disregarded their advice.Set them free Lord from sorrow, regrets and sense of guilt. May we love, respect and obey themat all times. Bless our parents Lord with Your protection and wisdom and may we be the joy of our parents at all times.2. Child 2: (for grandparents)We thank You God for the generosity of our grandparents, for their time, kindness, guidance and advice they have shared with us. We pray, bless them with peace, joy and strength in their yearsof maturity. Help us to appreciate and respect them always. Sustain them with good health of body, mind, soul and spirit; and to our departed grandparents grant eternal reward. Amen.Reader 2
:
Let us now listen to the scripture reading.
Scripture Reading: Ps. 139/13-14.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”
…(pause).That everything about us, bodily and otherwise is created by God’s unconditional love.Each and every one of us is precious, unique and beloved of God from the moment of origin /conception. We were just as much alive and human at the very moment of conception as we areright now. We are made in the image and likeness of God who knows everything about us
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Here is a daily prayer for your parents. Your parents may be near or far, but a prayer is the least you can do for them. All parents love their children and sacrifice their lives for their children. As we grow up and leave our parents to lead our own lives, we conveniently push them down to the bottom of our Priority List. Wherever you are, this powerful prayer for your parents will give them peace and happiness.
“Lord, I surrender to you my family. Lord Jesus, I pray for my parents. Though you blessed them abundantly, today they are in need of your help. Give my parents joy and strength. Fill them with your strengthening presence. Lord, give them real thirst and hunger for the Holy Spirit and for the Word of God. Give them health in spirit, soul and body.
Even though they may feel that all the trouble they took for their children are being wasted, help them to see the great reward waiting for them in Heaven. Help my parents to forgive themselves and forgive everyone else.
Even though as parents they may have failed to fulfil their duites, Lord, set them free from sadness and sorrow, regrets and sense of guilt. Jesus fill them with your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus. Amen”
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