How to Pray for Your Child, pt.10

Family is an institution created by God and its purpose is to be a blessing, as well as serve as an example of the way we relate to God, how God relates to us, how God relates to himself, and how we relate to each other.

Living in peace with family is a great joy, while living in division with family is a very serious concern for many. King David wrote a Psalm concerning this relationship. In Psalm 133:1, he says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” “Brothers” likely referrs to his national brothers, the Jews. However, David also knew the plight of having division within one’s family.

His Son Absalom murdered Ammon, and his Adonijah tried to steal the throne from Solomon. Division and war within the family was a real concern for David. Therefore, fraternal unity was likely underneath the broader theme of unity between all of God’s people.

For those of you who have younger children, there is plenty of time to pray for the present and future unity within your family, with your children, and between your children. Therefore, pray that God would give your children a sense of security and significance within your family, so to support their self-worth of being made in the image of God.

For those of you who have adult children and there already exists tension or division among each other, pray that God would give them a strong sense of belonging to a family that is loving and dwells together in unity.

The family structure instituted by God provides so many blessings and joys when it operates in unity, and without division and dissension. You may already be praying these realities for your children. If so, continue to remain steadfast and faithful in prayer, imitating God’s patience. As he waits patiently for his people to repent from their selfishly sinful ways, so also, us parents reveal to our children God’s goodness to wait for repentance as we continue in faithful prayer.