March 2020
Traditionally, when you think about transitioning into adulthood, your first thoughts are finishing school, leaving home, getting a job, getting married, then having kids. But today, we see more and more people doing these steps out of order, taking steps back, or completely skipping steps. As our children are learning to enter into the adult world on their own, we must remember that God’s ways are not always our ways and we should be praying for our children during this time of transition. It is also important that as our children are figuring out which path to take in adulthood, we should be praying for them to be wise and to make the most out of every opportunity given to them.
God has given our children their own talents and gifts. In Praying the Scriptures For Your Children and in my monthly prayer meeting we have discussed the importance of praying for our child’s gifts. These gifts will be used for the rest of their lives. We are here to help encourage and help our children figure out what their gifts and talents are. These gifts and talents will also be used in adulthood and guide them down the path that God wants them. We need to remember to trust that God is going to put our children where He wants them to be.
As our children get older and try to figure out life on their own and there may even be times where we as parents try to nudge them toward a certain path, sometimes those paths might not line up with God’s design, and they may end up making the wrong decisions. During these times we must remember to see our kids the same way God sees them. That, no matter what, He loves them and He will always be there with open arms. We need to do the same. Also, not just in times of trial with our kids we must always set regular times of prayer for each child. Jean Fleming (author of A Mother’s Heart: A look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother) suggest as we pray for our kids we should:
Acknowledge God’s hand on their lives, even before they were born.
Admit any areas we resent in the way God put our children together
Accept God’s design for each child, thanking him for how he or she is made.
Affirm God’s purpose in creating our children for his glory
Ally ourselves with God in his plans for their lives.
It isn’t easy trusting God’s plan for our kids. But we need to remember that He loves them more than we do, and He promises in Romans 8:28 to work in all things for the good of those who love him. So we need to trust God and let Him be in control.
After I have reread this chapter in preparation for this blog and my upcoming prayer meeting, it made me realize that in just a few short years, my 15 year old (almost 16) will be entering into this next stage of adulthood and my husband and I need to start preparing her and ourselves for this next step. There are so many options she has to pick from, and me loving to be in control, I need to step back and let God be in control. I need to trust that He is going to work all things for His good!
Here are a few prayers that we will be using on March 15th at the next NGP meeting:
Prayer for yourself (every mama will need these)
Heavenly Father, When my child’s transition to adulthood doesn’t look like I thought it would, help me to trust that your thoughts and your ways are higher and better than mine.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Prayers for your children
Heavenly Father, No matter what _____ is planning (for her career, marriage, or anything else), may it be your purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
Prompt _____ to seek you as she makes decisions about marriage, family, and career since you know how she is wired (“woven together”) and what her future holds.
Psalm 139: 15-16
As _____ reaches adulthood, may he put childishness behind him and learn to think, speak, and reason like a man.
1 Corinthians 13:11
Join us on Sunday, March 15th at 6:30 pm in the Harvest Kids wing for more scripture based prayers on praying for your child’s transition into adulthood.
Citation:
Berndt, Jodie. (2017) Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children, (pg 40-53).
NIV Bible