How to Effectively Pray For Your Children

Posted on Jun 07, 2016 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Men's Christian Living

James 5:16 says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Next to the word “effective” in the New American Standard Bible (1995 edition), there’s a reference to Genesis 18:22-33. That Old Testament passage reveals what “effective praying” is by sharing how Abraham questioned God multiple times in an effort to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham asked God if He would save the cities if 50 righteous people were found there. When God agrees, Abraham dropped the number to 45. God agrees again, and Abraham respectfully went for 30, then 20, and finally 10 righteous people. God agrees to not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah on account of even 10 righteous men. Unfortunately, God must not have found 10 righteous men because He got Lot and his family out and then destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

The point of this well-known story of Abraham’s repeated appeals is that effective praying has much to do with not giving up and being willing to go back to God with the same request over and over. To some of us, it may seem rude and feel awkward to approach God repeatedly about a matter, but we can take comfort in seeing that God wasn’t offended by Abraham’s recurring request. In fact, He seemed to willingly hear his humble and respectful servant each time Abraham asked.

We can also be encouraged to be persistent with our prayers by the parable Jesus shared about a widow who kept going to the king about a legal matter. Jesus told this story to inspire His followers to be boldly determined when it comes to praying:

In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, “Give me legal protection from my opponent.” For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, “Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out… ” Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:2-8).

The widow was commended for her unrelenting approach to the king about her legal situation. Her persistence became a picture of an attitude that gained Christ’s admiration, which is revealed in His question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith [like the widow’s] on the earth?”

If a strong urgency about praying for your children has gripped your heart and mind, don’t shrink back from taking your concern to the Lord and doing it often. And don’t hesitate to keep asking Him for the same thing. Think of Abraham’s relentlessness and the widow’s persistence as you pray. May they give you the courage to keep repeating your petitions until they are answered.