How to Pray for Your Child, pt.12

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

-Philippians 2:14-16

This command to NEVER complain (grumbling and questioning) applies to all of us. But as parents, we certainly notice these tendencies in our children. Paul states that by avoiding complaining, we represent our relationship to God as his children by our righteousness (blameless and innocent).

This is especially important as we exist in a crooked and twisted generation. I would argue that since the time of Paul’s generation, times have not exactly improved. Within our crooked and twisted generation, we are the light of Christ. We are the examples of what a relationship to the Savior looks like. We are an example of God by Christ in us.

Our light shines when we hold fast to the word of life (The Bible). God’s word is our source of continued light, taught to us by the power of the Holy Spirit as we read and study. Paul’s reason for the Philippians to maintain a constant surge of power to shine bright is so that he would see the fruit of his labor; so that his labor would not have been in vain. Ultimately, his desire was to see the Philippians living in such a way that their life is an outshining of Jesus (Phil. 1:21-22).

Christian parents can relate to Paul’s desire. We want our efforts and our labor for our children to bear fruit. We want them to be like Christ. We want their life to be a living testimony of the grace, love, and greatness of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, pray that your child’s life would be a spectacular testimony of a glorious God and a wonderful Savior. Pray that their life would be free of complaining and full of joy and peace so to prove your labors worthwhile.