A FATHER’S PRAYER

This prayer was written by General Douglas MacArthur, a hero of World War II, on behalf of his son whom he loved dearly.

‘Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know You…Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the lessons of the past. And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humour, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength. Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”’

PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN

Lord, thank you for yet another day to glorify Your Name. Thank you for the privilege of praying for children. Cover them with Your Word that brings healing and deliverance. We pray that they will move around in the strength of Your love. In Your mighty name we believe that children will be healed completely. You shed Your Blood for us on Calvary to deliver us and heal us of all our infirmities. Thank you for calming our hearts with the assurance that children have been healed. Watch over their parents today. Fill their hearts with the peace and harmony that only You can give. Let them be sensible parents filled with the wisdom that You and only You can give them. Bless them O Lord with common sense at all times. Help them understand that You have entrusted these children into their hands to nurture, love and train with godly values for all eternity. Let them understand the magnitude of the trust and the task You have invested in them for these tender lives. We claim complete healing for children. In Your name alone, there is healing, deliverance and restoration. Let affliction never affect children again. Don’t allow the devil to attack our kids to drive them away from Christ. Cover the children with Your Blood to protect them. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Father, let families glorify Your Name. Make them Your ambassadors. Give parents great patience with children to pay attention to their needs. Let them sense what is bothering them. Give children good, sincere, honest friends at school and among neighbours, who will never hurt them or tell tales about them. Friends who tell the truth at all times. Let all godly values be inculcated in children. They belong to You and You are in charge of their lives. Control what they play on the computer and what they watch on TV. Protect them at all times and keep them in good health. Don’t let the devil attack our kids to drive them away from Christ. Cover children with Your Blood to give healing and deliverance. Amen.

Lord Jesus, we pray for children. Help them to grow up happy and content. Let parents love them and set a fine example of loving parents to them. Keep parents from uncontrollable anger and help them to correct children with love tempered with justice. Let parents be calm and composed to show great love and caring for children. Let children be very happy at home. Let there be no shouting or angry voices ever in the home. Allow children to grow up in the security of a loving and compassionate home. Have mercy on the kids. Let the home be filled with love and laughter. Don’t allow the devil to attack our kids to drive them away from Christ. Let children grow in the love of God. Let their characters become more and more like You. Let the family become more and more Christ-like each moment. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

© Sarah George