It can, at times, be difficult to know what and how to pray for our children and what and how to pray for ourselves as their parents. This is true when they are young but, in my experience, becomes even more prominent as they grow older. This is why it is helpful to have books like Kathleen Nielson’s Prayers of a Parent. In the volume of prayers for adult children, she includes this one which is “For My Parent Heart.” It provides words that every parent can pray for themselves and for the children God has given them.
All I ask you for my child, O Lord,
is all you’ve given to me, in Christ;
there is no measure of your steadfast love
that reaches to the heavens;
I ask from out of my abundance in knowing you.
In all my asking, let me rest
in your great love and faithfulness;
you are the Father in heaven
who provides a refuge for your children
in the shadow of your wings;
they feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
I pray trusting your provision for my child,
for I have tasted just how good is your provision.
My life, and my child’s life
are not our own, but gifts from you,
O God, who are yourself the fountain of life.
What grace, that you should give me life
and let me nurture another, given by you.
What most amazing grace,
that you should bring life to a soul that’s dead,
through your own Son,
light of the world, the light of life.
I thank you that you call your children, Lord,
to faith in Christ your Son, our Savior,
and to a home where we will feast forever, with you.
