Praying for adult children
October 02, 2024
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Parenting doesn’t end when our children are grown. In many ways, guiding them through adulthood can be just as challenging as raising them. They likely have moved out of the family home, may have their own families, and we no longer have the same influence over their lives. That’s the situation faced by Chen in China. She says:
“My son won’t quit gambling. Despite my repeated warnings, he continues to engage in unlawful behavior. He has been detained and investigated by the government disciplinary bureau for almost 20 days now. Although he is an adult, my worry for him persists. Previously, you suggested ways to pray for him. I know that prayer should be my first recourse, but I find it difficult at times. Please help.”
The feeling of powerlessness as adult children make choices that lead to distressing circumstances can be devastating, but prayer is a powerful (and perhaps our only) tool in these moments. Let’s join forces with Chen and all those on the Bible Bus facing similar challenges with their adult children. Here are a few things we can focus on:
- Ask God to make Himself known in ways that are undeniable. Request both large and small miracles, and pray for their eyes to be opened to His work and assistance in their lives.
- Pray for supernatural peace amidst the stress and fear prevalent in our world. In a time of constant anxiety, ask God to grant them a peace that surpasses all understanding.
- Request precise blessings. If the child is struggling with financial issues, seeks career advancement/direction, or struggles with addiction or toxic relationships, ask God to intervene specifically in these areas.
- Pray Scripture. The Word of God is potent and effective. When you pray Scripture over them, you can be confident that God listens.
- Ask God to draw them to Himself. Pray they become so unsettled by life without Him that they will seek His presence and return to Him.
Colossians 3 reminds us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, but how do we do that? Come along tomorrow to South Korea as a listener asks the same question and looks to Scripture for the answer.
Listen here to TTB-Cantonese and TTB-Mandarin.