A Prayer For Following The Way Of Jesus - To Light Their Way

A Prayer for Following the Way of Jesus

O God, we want to raise children

Who know they are loved

By their Creator

With a love so big

It would take a lifetime

To swim in the ocean of Your grace—

And even then

It wouldn’t be enough.

We want our children to know,

Even as they stumble and fall,

That they reflect the image of God:

Created and known and loved.

We pray that they would know You

As an anchor to their souls.

May they know Your love,

A love big enough to absorb it all—

Every question, every doubt, every fear.

For in Jesus Christ,

Sin has been wiped clean,

And we have been made whole.

Give our children comfort when they feel most alone.

Give them courage when they need to stand for what’s right.

Give them compassion when they meet someone in need of mercy.

Thank You for the faith of a child,

For the open, tender heart

That many of us grown-ups lose as years go by.

Let us point to You

In the comings and goings of the day.

Spirit, guide us

As we navigate the groans of creation.

O Lord, we thank You for grace freely given,

For mercy poured out,

For infinite second chances,

Even in our imperfections and doubts.

We pray our children

Would see in us a faith

That draws them in and toward You.

Lord of small things,

Give us all the faith of a mustard seed,

For we know that’s all it takes to move mountains—

The mountains that bow down

Before Your majesty.

Where You are, peace is.

And You are all around our children.

Spirit, hover over little hearts and minds.

Go before them.

Lead them, guide them, whisper into their hearts

That they are safe in the arms of Christ.

Lord, You said let the little children come,

And we give our children to You.

May they ask questions

With no easy answers,

And may we be rooted in You,

Firm enough in our foundations

To sit in the mystery with them.

Help us learn together.

Bring us into Your living Word,

And awaken us to Your truth,

O Word that became flesh.

May we honor the humanity

Of our children.

May we remember You are always in pursuit.

May we point our children to You

In times of great rejoicing and deep sorrow.

For as long as we have the gift

Of guiding them on this earth,

Walking them home to You,

May they see You in every star

And every cloud.

May they feel You in the breeze

And in the dirt under their feet.

God of rescue and restoration,

Be near in the raising up of this child.

May they walk in Your Spirit

And follow Your paths of peace.

May they worship You with their words

And deeds.

May they join in the ancient truths of Your great love.

May they call on Your name.

Thank You for the ways

You have revealed Yourself to our children,

And we ask that You would continue to do so.

May [child’s name]’s life

Be an outpouring of Your love.

Help them seek first Your Kingdom.

May they believe in their bones

That You’ll provide what they need.

Help them to be true to themselves

And to You, Lord, in every way.

May they proclaim You, O Christ,

In all they do and all they are.

May they listen to Your words, Lord Jesus,

For these words are our map on how to live.

Thank You, Lord.

We praise You,

For You are never far from our children

Or from us.

John 14:6; Hebrews 10:23; 2 Timothy 4:18; Romans 10:4; Psalm 119:105