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
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Mother is the main shrine in every family. From the very early childhood, one should teach children to respect their parents with respect, because they gave life. Situations are different, sometimes it is impossible to solve some issues on their own. Then you need to turn to the Lord. Of course, you can read the famous prayers from the Orthodox prayer book without much emotion, but it is much more effective to pray in your own words, coming from the heart. Let this prayer is not so beautifully formulated, but it should be emotionally saturated. Only such words the Lord accepts. The prayer for my mother carries great power.
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How to pray for parents?
The father and mother must be one for the children. Therefore, it is better to read a joint prayer for them. Prayer for my mother in this case will be much stronger and more pleasant to God. Of course, there are situations when one of the parents is no longer alive, then you should turn to the Lord with other prayers. But if the parents are alive, it is better to ask the good of both of them. Every child, little or old, is worried about the health of his parents. Prayer for Mom’s Health must not leave the mouth. What are some words you can turn to the Lord?
Prayer for the Health of Parents
O my Lord, let your will be done tomy mother was always healthy, so that she could serve you with sincere faith and instruct me in your ministry. Give my parents food, prosperity and prosperity so that our whole family can serve You in joy. Mom is the most precious thing that I have. Protect her from all life’s troubles, give strength and wisdom to cope with difficult situations and send her health of the physical and spiritual. May my mother and father raise me worthily, so that in life I can do only things that please you. Give them their health and all kinds of blessings, they condescend to bless them, so that they can warm my heart with their warmth. Fulfill all my requests coming from my heart. May my words and the intentions of my soul please You. Only in Your mercy I hope, my Lord. Amen.
Prayer for my mother is a trembling appeal to the Lord. And, first of all, we should thank God so much for giving us such parents.
Prayer for Mom and Father
Oh, all-merciful Lord, I thank You for everything,that you give me, especially for my parents. My gratitude to them knows no bounds. I pray that I can always appreciate worthily their unselfish service to their children, their inordinate efforts and always express their gratitude to them so that it reaches their heart. Lord, I pray thee, reward my parents for all their labors. Give them health and grace. Send them happiness and peace of mind. My Lord, teach me always to please, love, respect, and help. Send your blessing to our whole family so that it will be one heart and soul. Amen.
There is another wonderful prayer about my mother.
I pray for you, my mother
Oh, Lord, help my mother, take all her away.anxiety and all sorrow. Keep her good heart from mental anguish and save from all suffering. Take all my ailments from my mother, body and soul, heal from all diseases. Be merciful, God, to my mother, strengthen her faith in You and bestow on you. For the sake of Thy Mother, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, hear my supplication. Do not leave, Lord, my mother in troubles and difficulties without His protection. Show her your grace and descend to her boundless mercy. You always hear my prayers coming from the heart. Mom is the most precious thing that I have. I ask You, my Lord, for me to be always grateful to her for everything she does for me.
This prayer can be changed and supplemented. The main thing is that it should be sincere and sound from the heart.
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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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