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What does success look like? What does God’s success look like? There are often two different answers to those questions. Our success doesn’t always look like God’s success. But his “win” is the only success that matters.

This week we are using Psalm 118 as a guide to praying for our kids and grandkids. Today’s passage is about God’s success.

Psalm 118:25
Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

Success. We all want our children to have it. Early on, we brag about the goals little Tommy scored in grasshopper soccer. We paste bumper stickers on our cars with the words, “My child is an honor student at Braggadocio Middle School.” (I always wanted a bumper sticker that read, “My child is a regular kid!”). And we tout the success of the past year in Christmas letters filled with exotic travel, businesses breaking into the Fortune 100, and a long list of kid’s awards that fill up the first three pages. When I read those letters, I look at Lori and say, “We are failures!” Could it be that the psalmist had a different idea about success?

Father,
I pray that you will grant your success to my children (say their names).

Give them success in the lessons of losing.
Give them success in the humility of winning.
Give them success in serving others.
Give them success in befriending the lonely.
Give them success in caring for the unfortunate.

Give them success in choosing friends.
Give them success at using time wisely.
Give them success in reading your Word daily.
Give them success in prayer.

Give them success in the pain of failure.
Give them success in the aura of achievement.
Give them success in obeying your Word.
Give them success in repentance.

Give them success at following hard after you.
Give them success at using the gifts you’ve given them.
Give them success in standing for you
…even if it means standing alone.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.