A Prayer for My Boys

Lord,

Your Word says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart.”

More than anything, I want my boys to know You and follow You. I have tried to teach them what a relationship with you looks like. They went to church, participated in Small Groups, and have gone on mission trips, but still don’t know You because they have not experienced You.

My heart is filled with regret because I know I could have done more. I should have prepared them for what it means to do life with You, Lord. I should have been a better example. Maybe I should have said more or explained more. It breaks my heart that they are not convinced they should seek You for everything.

But Your Word gives me hope, Lord. You said that You will draw all men unto You. Please draw my sons unto You. Make Yourself known to them and give them the desire to know You. Help them to know You are the Creator and Sustainer of all life. But You are not just a big God who sits high and looks low, You are a personal God who desires a relationship with them. You care about every detail of their lives, down to the number of hairs on their head. Allow my boys to experience Your love and thrive, not just exist.

Give my sons a vision of You and let them know you have a plan for them, not to harm them, but to give them a future and hope. Teach them that there is more living to be done after this life. Give them Your Wisdom, Lord, to make wise choices, discerning right from wrong and best from good. Help them to recognize that sin is lurking at their door, seeking to devour them. But with Your help, they can master it. Keep them and protect them, Lord, from the evil one. Place a hedge of protection around them. Know them like You know me. Pursue them relentlessly as You have pursued me. Be generous with Your grace and mercy towards them. Follow them all the days of their lives and allow them to dwell in Your House forever.

Amen.