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This week we will focus on prayer, specifically how parents can pray for their children. Our guide will be Psalm 118. Today let’s begin with a parent’s prayer of thanksgiving.

Psalm 118:1
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Our children are not a “planned” product. Sure, parents may determine when they would like to have a child, but life comes into existence as a gift from God. Neither are they a “mistake,” an “oops,” or a “surprise.” Children are a great gift from our great God! He is sovereign and has ordained every day of every life (Psalm 139:16); therefore, a parent’s prayer should always begin with thanksgiving.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for (name your children). I acknowledge them as gifts from your gracious hand. They have been in your thoughts and your plans from eternity past. They have never been out of your all-knowing mind. The psalmist says that you made them in the secret place; you knit them together; you saw their unformed bodies…never taking your eyes off their development and growth. You are good, and you are gracious.

I praise you that your love for them endures forever. I pray that your great love draws them to yourself and keeps them there. I will love them throughout my life, but one day I’ll be gone. There are times when I don’t think anyone could love (name your children) more than me. But your steadfast love will never leave them. Thank you for loving them more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for loving them so much that you sent your Son to bear their sin in his body on the cross. Thank you that through Jesus, you will love them throughout eternity.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.