No matter what time I go to bed, there seems to be one night every week or two that I awaken in the wee hours of the morning fully alert and my mind clicking away. This morning was one of those mornings. At 3:02am my eyes popped open and I was awake. I gathered a cup of coffee and nestled in my chair for a time of reflection, reading the Bible and praying.
On this particular morning, I have much about which to pray. I have some decisions to make and am grateful to God for how richly he has blessed me. Of late I have also spent these mornings praying for my children. I recently read in the book of Job about Job praying for his adult children. It seems like a good idea for me to do the same.
In Job chapter 1, the Bible tells us that Job had 7 sons and 3 daughters. Here is my lineage:
- Cameron – my oldest son (32) lives in Dallas, TX.
- Leah – my oldest daughter (30) lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, Michael and my grandsons, Heath (7) and Caleb (2).
- Carlton – my youngest son (26) lives in Louisville, KY with his wife, Amanda and my next grandchild (T minus 6 months).
- Bethany – my youngest daughter (22) lives in Louisville, KY.
- Michael – Suzie’s (my wife) son (22) lives in West Palm Beach, FL.
The Bible tells us that after Job’s children gathered together for feasts, Job would rise early to make sacrifice for his children and pray for them.
And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
–Job 1:5
Job’s actions include the following that I try to incorporate in the prayers for my children:
- Consecrate them – commit them to the Lord.
- Make offering for them – like a sweet aroma of burnt sacrifice wafting to the heavens, I offer up prayers to the God of heaven on their behalf.
- Identify each of them – Job offered a sacrifice for each of his 10 kids. By name I pray for each of my descendants. I reflect on their own journeys and their individual needs.
- Intercede for them – I pray for their hearts…asking God to forgive them if they have sinned.
- Continue praying for them – Job continually did this. These early mornings give me some focused time on this, but it also allows me to come back to these prayers on a very regular basis.
Like any parent, my children are very dear to me. I treasure the blessings God has given me in and through them. One of my favorite memories of my kids was when they were asleep as younger children. Not just because they were asleep 
. It was always a small wonder when Cameron and Bethany would go to sleep. Both of them resisted bedtime with all diligence. When they were asleep, I would often sneak into their rooms and pray over them. I would commit them to the Lord and pray much like Job did for his children.
I can no longer sneak into their rooms, but from a distance I can still do the same. As I type these words they are all probably sound asleep in their beds. I pray that they will awaken in the morning with thoughts toward God and a heart renewed by him and for him.
I have great role models with regards to praying for my kids. I know that my parents still pray for me from Burleson, Texas. Thanks Mom and Dad. I know that we as their descendants have often brought anguish to them. I also know that they find great joy in us. This past May my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Nothing brings about a smile on my Dad’s face like seeing his offspring and naming them off for others. Whenever I have decisions to make, I always make sure that Mom and Dad are aware so that they can pray for me. I want to do the same for my kids.
I am not sure what all God has in store for my children and their families. Job’s children were struck with tragedy. This I do know – I pray that they will have a heart that desires God above all else. I prayed that for them when they were small. I pray that for them now that they are adults.
If you have children, I would love for you to leave a comment about you praying for them.
Suzie and I are moving again. We met 7 years ago in Louisville, KY. After a couple of years, we moved to Florida to run a couple of hotels. We were in Daytona Beach for a short time before spending several years in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach is Suzie’s hometown. This past May we returned to Louisville as I transitioned jobs.
On September 18, 2004, Suzie became my wife. In celebration, here are my five of my favorite memories. I have many more, but for today these make the top of the list.
