I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:9 (NIV)
If you are not a parent, you still can help others move toward the heart of God by praying for them. Jesus reflected God’s own heart when he prayed for the disciples, and we reflect God’s heart when we pray for our children. We can pray that our children will LIVE FOR CHRIST joyfully: “I pray these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have” (John 17:13, GW).
We can pray that our children will GROW STRONG spiritually: “I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one” (John 17:15, NLT). We can pray that our children will SERVE CHRIST effectively: “Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth” (John 17:17, NCV). We can pray that our children will EXPERIENCE FELLOWSHIP with other believers: “My prayer is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are one, Father … and the world will believe you sent Me” (John 17:21, LB).
We can pray that our children will BRING OTHERS TO CHRIST regularly: "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in Me because of their message” (John 17:20, TEV). If you are not a parent, you still can help others move toward the heart of God by praying for them.
