Starting to pray Scripture for others
Debbie McClure | 3 minute read
Discipling someone for life is like embarking on a series of epic journeys. Over the years, we’ve had many family adventures in Norway and Latvia, but one of the greatest journeys God has taken me on is in praying for my children.
Watching five children grow and begin school (primary and now secondary) has been an education in trust! I’ve found I have less and less control over their lives, who they interact with, their friendships and what they are taught. As my influence on them changes, I’m more and more aware of my need to pray for them and over them in the different contexts they find themselves in.
Fuel for a faith adventure
It is easy to get into a rut of praying for the same things – for parents, it’s often for good friendships, good behaviour, health, success at school, etc. In the busyness of life, we can find ourselves praying ‘emergency prayers’ but not able to pray into deeper heart issues.
Have you noticed just how rich the Scriptures are for fuelling our prayers?
When we dive into the Bible, we discover that praying for others goes far beyond the limitations of these emergency or routine prayers. Yes, these are good things to pray for, but God has so much more in store for us to pray through for those we love.
Where can we have the greatest influence?
The Scriptures are full of wonderful promises that we can take hold of and claim for those we are walking alongside. The greatest influence a parent can have in the life of their child is through prayer. As a parent stands with Jesus in the gap between their child and heaven, God both hears and answers their prayers.
As we pray the promises of God for others, our faith increases because we are praying back to God the very words that he has spoken. We can trust him to fulfil these words because he is faithful and because they depend on what Jesus has done, not on what we do as parents or alongsiders.
What’s influencing our discipleship?
The word of God is the most powerful weapon we can wield for someone’s protection. The battle for people’s lives is waged in prayer and it’s never too late to start. If we align our prayers with the Scriptures, then our desires for our children will line up with what God wants to do in their lives.
If we believe that God’s word is a guide for our discipleship, that it is ‘a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path’ (Psalm 119:105 NLT), then there is not a need or situation that God hasn’t thought of in his word (including all the twists and turns of parenting teens!).
If there is someone on your heart to pray for, but you’re not sure where to start, here are six ways you can be praying for them using Scripture as your guide. We can pray for:
1. A love for God (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
2. Changed hearts (Colossians 1:9-14)
3. Distinctive lives (Ephesians 5:15-20)
4. A love of God’s word (Psalm 119:11)
5. Salvation (Matthew 19:14)
6. A desire to be part of God’s church family (Psalm 78:1-8)
As you venture with God in discipling others by praying Scripture for them, ‘May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children’ (Psalm 115:14).
How do you relate with a God you cannot see? This short, punchy booklet gives you simple, clear steps on how to take time each day to grow in your relationship with God. Discover the difference even a regular 10-minute slot of prayer, reading the Bible and writing a journal can make to your life.
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We are partnering with Living & Powerful, who create beautiful products. Their vision is that you and your family will be founded, inspired and empowered with God’s truth. Christmas sale now on!
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