HomeWord - Sept. 18, 2008

A Prayer for Our Child
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Years ago before I was married, my parents handed me this prayer. Before I ever met my husband, they were praying for the man he would be and the qualities he would possess.

Prayer for our Child’s Future Spouse*:

“Lord, may he/she love you with all his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength, and Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. (Mark 12:29-30; Romans 10:9)

May he/she love his/her spouse (our child) with faithful, undying love for as long as they both live. (Matthew 19:5, 6)

May he/she recognize his/her body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and treat it wisely. (1 Corinthians 16:19, 20)

May he/she be healthy, able to work and support a family. (1 Timothy 6:8)

May he/she have an admirable goal in his life. (Matthew 6:33)

May he/she use his/her talents wisely and release his/her spouse (our child) to use her/his God-given talents, also. May their talents complement one another. May they enjoy doing things together. (Matthew 25:1, 14-30)

May he/she establish their home in accordance with God’s prescribed order as outlined in Ephesians 5:20-28.

May he/she be strong in mind. May the two of them be compatible intellectually. (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Timothy 1:7)

May he/she be a good money manager. (1 Timothy 5:8; 6:10)

Lord, bring this partner into my child’s life in Your perfect timing. May they be so in love with each other and both of them in love with You, O God, that there will be no doubt that You created them for each other as long as they both shall live.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Even with my son still in diapers, I realize it is not too early to be praying for his future and even his future spouse. What a gift my parents gave me in their years of praying. What a gift you can give your children by praying continually for them.

Going Deeper:

If you have children, take time right now to pray for them…perhaps for their future spouses or even the one they have now.
If you do not have children, who in your life can you be praying for? Pray for them.

Further Reading:
Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Timothy 5:8, 6:8, 10

* Adapted from “Prayer for our Daughter’s Future Spouse,” author unknown.

Kelly McFadden currently works at Mariners Church Southern California. She and her husband Michael are the new parents of Campbell McFadden.