A Summer Prayer for Our Families
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 100, John 4:1-24
Reflections of the Heart:
“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.”
~artist John Ruskin
Scriptural Prayer:
Wonderful Father, we thank You for our children and youth. We thank You for blessing them through a challenging school year. Thank You for protecting and watching over them as they return to extracurricular activities. Thank You for blessing them with a chance for recreation, rest, and relax during the summer. Father, we bless Your holy name. We come before Your presence with thanksgiving, and we shout joyfully to You, the Rock of our salvation. Lord, You are the great God, and the great King above all gods. In Your hand are the deep places of the earth; the mightiest mountains are Yours. The sea is Yours, for You made it, and Your hands formed the dry land. Lord, You are our God and we are the people You watch over, the flock under Your care.
Holy Father, we declare that our children and youth live in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. As a result, no harm will come near them during the summer. In accordance to their obedience, we declare that they are blessed in the city and in the country. They are blessed when they come in, and when they go out. We confess by faith, that our children and youth will not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around sinners, or join in with mockers; but they will delight and meditate in Your Word day and night. We declare that they will give their bodies as living and holy sacrifices to You, Lord. They will not copy the illicit behavior and customs of this world because they are transformed into new people by the way they think. We confess that every youth who is seeking summer employment will find it because they are surrounded with favor like a shield. Lord, we decree that our children and youth are taught of You and they enjoy great peace.
List your specific requests for the children and youth during the summer and take those concerns to the Lord in prayer:
Holy Spirit, please touch the hearts of our children and youth to fear You and hate evil, pride, arrogance, and a perverse mouth. Cause them to walk according to the Holy Spirit and not their flesh. Let the mind of Christ be established in them. Help them to honor and obey their parents, so that things may go well with them and that they will have long life on the earth. Empower our parents and guardians with the knowledge and skill to structure a lifestyle that will compel our children and youth to honor and obey You as their God. Please give our parents and guardians the wisdom, strength, and guidance they need to plan, organize, and implement safe summer activities for their children and youth. Father, bless our families during the summer break with vacations. Please protect us during our times of travel, leisure, and play. Lord, provide the extra income needed for summer activities. Please keep our children and youth protected from idol minds, unwise decisions, ungodly peer pressure, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and untimely death. Holy Spirit, help each student to retain the information that they learned throughout the school year. Father, we ask You to please surround them with Your love; lead and instruct them by Your Holy Spirit, and keep them as the apple of Your eye.
Merciful Father, please forgive our children and youth for disobedience and all acts of sinfulness, including gossip, name-calling, bullying, rebellion, stubbornness and disrespect for authority. As parents, forgive us for any abuse or neglect of our children and youth. Forgive those who have been so preoccupied with their own needs that they have failed to have structure in their homes for healthy meals and quality family time. Forgive those who have not always supported their children’s educational needs, trained them to have good manners, or taught them to live a life of truth and integrity. Father, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy Spirit, remind our children and youth of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help our children and youth not to yield to temptation but deliver them from the evil one.
Glorious Lord, Your Name is very great; Your glory towers over the earth and heaven. You alone held the oceans in Your hand. You measured off the heavens with Your fingers. You alone know the weight of the earth. Triumphant and glorious is Your name! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture References for the Written Text (NLT & NKJV): Psalm 95:1-5, 7, Psalm 91:1, 10, Deuteronomy 28:3,6, Psalm 1:1-2, Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 5:12, Isaiah 54:13, Proverbs 8:13, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 2:5, Ephesians 6:1-3, Psalm 17:8, Matthew 6:13, Psalm 148:13, Isaiah 40:12
Today, I will trust God to:
© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. ©2022 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI
