By Robyn McKelvy
Our children are called gift, reward, and blessing as Scripture defines them. Children are given from God and we nurture them, we encourage them, and we desire greatness for them as they grow and mature. We give much of the hours of our own lives away to equip our children to live up to their unique potential.
But there is one gift our children need, that we hold in our hands, that will carry them throughout their days. It is the gift of earnestly praying for them.
When I first became a mom, I prayed for my children that they would love God and grow in their relationship with Him. That God would protect them from dangers seen and unseen. That they would represent Him as they went about their day. Those were my prayers for them as young children.
When my children were teens, I prayed that the Lord would protect their minds. That they would be able to discern the schemes of the enemy and that they would be protected from his lies. Now, most of my children are grown and my prayers for them include much more.
Now I pray that my children will keep short accounts with God, their Heavenly Father. I pray that they would yield to Him, daily. I pray that when they stumble or fall, make wrong choices throughout their days, or disregard the abiding Holy Spirit living in them, that God would use each experience, no matter how evil, to show my children and others His immeasurable grace.
We have a great enemy of God and godliness whose greatest desire is for all to fail to show a genuine picture of the love of Christ. The greatest gift of motherhood I can give to all that I love—those I desire to be a bold witness of God, long after I’m gone— is to fervently pray for them while I’m alive.
Pray for your children that may be wandering far from God, but please do not forget to pray for those that are walking with the Lord. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
So, I pray. Prayer costs me time, but the result is exponential.
James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Robyn is a talented pianist, author and national speaker. She currently has two published books: SOS, Sick of Sex; and Say It Loud: Becoming your Husband’s Personal Cheerleader. Robyn loves laughter and “I do stand-up comedy in front of my stove while cooking; I am a caterer, writer, mentor, homeschooler and taxi driver.”
Robyn has been married to Ray McKelvy, Sr. for 29 years. They are the blessed parents of 10 children. Find her online at robynmckelvy.com, twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
