Skip to content ↓

A Parent’s Prayer for an Unbelieving Child

Being the Answer to Prayer

I have become quite a fan of Kathleen Nielson’s new set of prayer books for parents. Through four short volumes she provides prayers for parents of young children, of teens, of young adults, and of adult children. This prayer is from the volume dedicated to prayers for young adults and asks the Lord to save an unbelieving child.

Break your light upon my child’s heart, O Lord who only said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. You sent your light into this world, a light that shines in darkness and is not ever overcome.

O shine the light of Jesus in his heart, merciful Father, by your Spirit, that my child may believe.

Thank you, sovereign God, that you hold my beloved child in your hand. You always have, and all my efforts—sometimes feeble or foolish, sometimes wise—you know, you use, according to your plan. I know that you are sovereign and that you are good, and so I still my yearning soul before your throne.

In you is life, fully revealed and given in your Son who died for sinners who deserve that death, who rose that sinners who believe might live. Enlarge my heart, I pray, to yearn for many sinners to believe and live.

But now I stop to pray again, and I will pray again, O Lord of life: please shine the light of Jesus in his heart, that my child may believe.


  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This weeks Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a bundle of their best-selling Good Book Guides that are designed to guide your head and your heart through God’s word. Each Good Book Guide includes a concise leader’s guide in the back.  The Bundle includes: Giveaway Rules: You…

  • A Light on the Hill

    A Light on the Hill

    In early 2020, CHBC, along with almost every other church in the world, was forced to contend with the opening days of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time Caleb Morell was working as Pastor Mark Dever’s personal assistant. Dever tasked him with finding out how the church had responded to the Spanish flu epidemic a…

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (April 18)

    A La Carte: John Piper on being a loner / Snapchat is harming children / The most radical thing / How not to be secular / Three commentary mistakes / Jesus, your sorrow-bearer / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (April 17)

    A La Carte: The vibe shift / The Jurassic Park principle of Christian freedom / This is what power looks like / Don’t stay in the puddles / The awkwardness of Easter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Airliner

    They Won’t Because They Can’t

    If you’ve flown recently, you have probably made the same observation I have: No one pays attention to the pre-flight safety videos. There may be the occasional uptick in interest after a well-publicized crash or near-disaster, but soon old habits return—people stuff their AirPods into their ears and stare at their phones rather than watch…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 16)

    A La Carte: Joy and weeping / Sullivan’s kidnapping / The sin of Sodom / John Piper’s retirement plan / Eagles, fowl, and a Savior with wings / Kindle and book deals / and more.