Here’s a question I have asked myself on occasion while raising my children in terms of my desires, hopes and dreams for them. It comes from Susan Hunt in her book Your Home: A Place of Grace:

“Would you be satisfied with children who are well behaved, who avoid drugs, who graduate from college, marry well, and make you proud? Or is the passion of your hearts to see your children love and serve Jesus with all their hearts?” (p.80)

Like C.S. Lewis said, all of us parents at times “are far too easily pleased.” There are three Scriptures that I pray through on occasion for each of my children that remind me what God desires for them.

First of all, the Apostle Paul writes to the churches in Galatia and sets forth a graphic analogy that reflects how he views his role as a discipler and also his ultimate objective and hope for those whom he has invested his life. He says in 4:19, “my dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”

The Apostle John writes to his disciples in 3 John 6 that “I have no greater joy that to see my children walking in the truth.” This ought to serve as a bullet point for prayer for our children… that they might conduct their lives in the truth of the gospel… that nothing else would be more beautiful, engaging, and inspiring that “God’s grace in all its truth” (Colossians 1:6).

Lastly, I pray for our children “to serve the purpose of God in their generation” just like King David did according to Acts 13:36. By the Lord’s empowering grace, may they find and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. Nothing else will satisfy and give life meaning and true joy.

May the Lord use this short post to stimulate your thinking about what you most desire for your children… whether they be your physical children or spiritual children in whom you are investing. Also, may these short Scriptures provide specific prayer requests for you to pray on your children’s behalf.