June 29, Prayers for Kids

Today’s reading: Psalms 141-145

“Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace”
- Psalm 144:12.

David was a fabulous writer, so talented that we still recite his poetry and put his lyrics to music 3,000 after his death! In today’s verse, he penned two similes for offspring that I incorporated into my prayers for my own children — that my son would be a well-nurtured plant and my daughter like a pillar carved for a palace! I then took that prayer to go beyond my family to the children youth in my church. Another passage that makes a great prayer for your children is found in Isaiah 44:3-5:

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, “The Lord’s,” and will take the name Israel.

On whose behalf can you start praying these prayers? For your children? Grandchildren? Nieces and nephews? Friends?