How to Pray for Your Kids

By Teresa Lusk –

Every parent’s knees should hit the floor on behalf of our children, young or grown. What should you pray for them other than their safety? What you pray for you kids is unlimited (Ephesians 6:18, NIV) but there are seven prayer suggestions I’d like to share.

Pray that your children (1) Love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind (Mathew 22:37, NIV). If they love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind, they will have received salvation and have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We are not promised to be spared heartaches and disappointment, but we can ask God (2) to put a hedge of protection over our kids. Many of us get caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. If you have ever been in a “that was close” situation, we could contribute that to God watching over us and possibly someone praying for our safety and protection. Why not cover our own kids with prayer for protection from harm, danger and people’s carelessness.

So much is put out in the world for our kids to fall astray: porn, drugs, alcohol, out-of-control friends. Asking the Lord (3) to build them up in purity of mind, soul, body and spirit will give them a weapon they can use against the world’s pressures. If they are pure in mind, they are less likely to fall into porn or lustful desires. If they have purity of soul, their mind, will and emotions will be covered, and purity of body means they keep it clean as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, their purity in spirit will allow them to walk by the spirit and not by the flesh.

How many times do we hear on the news about a passionate criminal who was recently brought to justice? Well, if our kids (4) know how to submit to authority, problems with the law, with their bosses and any other government authority will not be a challenge for them. Wrap them in petitions for their ability to submit to their higher ups.

Most of us have gone in and out of many relationships and career choices. What if you would have heard God’s calling on your life since you were young? It may have saved you time, effort and heartache. (5) Hearing God’s calling on their life is essential. Why not ask God to reveal Himself to them at a young age so they can start pursuing their calling?

If we could all pick our children’s spouses I bet we would. We are in America and that will not be happening! The Lord Himself can (6) pick and set apart our kids’ spouses for them, though. Divorce rate is already high. Let Him be the One who picks and sets apart that special person for your child.

Finally, Americans are in serious debt with no savings, and when one looses a job there is nothing to sustain them except hopefully their faith. If our children are equipped with financial wisdom from a young age (7) they may be able to escape the financial sins of our of generation and our society.

All of these points are only a tiny view of what we can pray for our children. One way to discover what we can pray for them is to look back at our own mistakes, the mistakes of our family generations before, and the happenings of the world around them. Entrust them to the Lord and be faithful in our concession to pray at all times and about all things!

Teresa G. Lusk is the author of Good Enough to be a Homemaker and CEO and is a Motivational Speaker. Visit www.teresalusk.com for more information.

I Will Not Bless That Behavior

By Teresa Lusk –

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20, NIV). This is what I keep telling our daughter when I have to discipline her.

First, I explain that God gave her parents to prepare her to obey Him when she becomes an adult living without our direction and we are simply her training ground. Then, I tell her God expects her to honor her father and mother (Deuteronomy 5:16, NIV).

Recently, she gave me attitude and was very sassy about a situation. I got onto her about the behavior but did not punish her. However, not long after this incident she came to ask if she could play computer games. This is her favorite pastime, by the way. When she was done requesting a reward for her disobedience, I responded with, “No, absolutely not! I will not bless your behavior.” At the same time I said this, I happened to be on the phone with a friend who commented about the power of that statement.

I know that as a parent, I find myself saying NO a whole lot, and I bet you do as well. The conclusion I came to that day was that from now on, my answer will not only be NO, but when applicable, it will be followed by, “I will not bless that behavior.” I know that my God loves me and forgives me, but He also disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:12). Our children must be taught that the ultimate obedience is to Jesus Christ and obedience brings blessings (John 15:7-14, NIV).

Teresa G. Lusk is a public speaker and the author of Good Enough to be a Homemaker and CEO. Visit www.teresalusk.com.

Don’t Cause Your Little Ones to Stumble

By Teresa G. Lusk –

“Just calling to see how you are doing? Oh, and by the way, he asked me to move in with him.” These were the words left on my voice mail from a woman I had been discipling and mentoring, attempting to restore her self-worth through support and the Word of God. Read more

Summer Fun or Fret?

By Teresa G. Lusk –

Summer is great for our kids to rest and enjoy the days! For parents who must work, however, it is a fret when they have to find reliable childcare. As a child who was left to the care of others, I would like to share valuable information and questions as to what we should be aware of as parents when leaving our kids. Some of this information, you may not have the answer to until after you have begun to leave your child with a provider. Read more

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream

By Teresa G. Lusk –

“Shut the door! Give her back her toy! I told you to stop playing and to sit down!” These are all common screams our children often receive from their parents. Yes, even Christian parents. Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »