a prayer for my kids

 Dear God,

I'll be honest--this world my kids are in? It's a hard place. There's so much darkness and it seems to be growing. It's nothing like the world I expected to be raising my kids in and nothing like the world I was used to. Hatred and division is running rampant and somehow it is all around the world all at the same time. Confusion and fear are widespread and it seems like that's all that's being pushed.

I can't help but see glimpses of Revelation in the world, and it worries me. Not because I'm worried about the ultimate outcome--You've known the end since the beginning, and You hold everything in Your hand. But somehow while I know that, I have a hard time entrusting my kids to You.

It doesn't make sense, I know. Logically I understand that they are Yours and that You love them so much more than I could ever imagine. But You know that control issue thing that I have? It kicks in pretty hard when it comes to my kids, and it's incredibly hard for me to let them go and trust that You've got them.

While I would love to see my kids live easy lives, I know that's not what's best for them. I've dealt with enough hard times to know that the refining fires are necessary, even though it breaks my heart to watch them face the flames. I know that the hard times are what make us run to You for shelter. I would love for my kids to just learn from my mistakes, but I know that one of ways they are most like me is their stubborn insistence to learn some lessons the hard way.

So God, please show them that You are with them in the flames. Let them see Your purpose for their lives. Pull them to You and hold them close. Give them a hunger and thirst for righteousness and the wisdom to know that it is only You who can satisfy. Draw them to You and soften their hearts to hear Your call so they will spend eternity with You.

Give them the strength to face this world they are in. Remind them--and me--that You determined when and where they would live (Acts 17:26), and that You have put them right here and right now for a reason. Like Mordecai did for Esther, help me to remind my kids that they were made "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). My job is to train them up knowing Your word, so please forgive me when I fail to do that and help me to make that a priority. When I'm not strong enough to stand as the example they need, let them see me turn to You. Forgive me when I'm the example of what not to do.

God, please raise my kids up as mighty warriors for You, to be among those who stand in the armor You provide--the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, boots of readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit--to fight against the darkness that has become so bold. Give them Your strength when they are weak, courage when they are scared, and rest when they are weary. Help them face the darkness of this world knowing You are the light.