When I was a kid, I had a friend who had an obnoxious little brother. When he didn’t get his way, he started to scream. When I say scream, it wasn’t your typical little kid throwing a fit, but he would scream so loud and so hard that he would literally begin to damage his vocal chords.
If screaming didn’t work, then he would simply hold his breath. He would hold it until he passed out. It created such a huge issue for his parents. They didn’t want him to damage his vocal chords nor did they want to have to resuscitate him. Sometimes they would just give him what he wanted, but of course that just turned him into even more of a holy terror.
Both that kid and his parents were well aware that no one can go very long until they need to fill their lungs again with life-giving air.
It always seems strange to me that we are so dependent on air to live. Our physical bodies are remarkably strong in some ways, but absolutely totally fragile in others. Without air, that little kid was out cold in about a minute. It is sobering to think that, for most of us, just a few minutes without air leads to our death.
- Physically, without air we die.
- Spiritually, without prayer we die
I think that one of the reasons that God made us physically dependent on air is to help us to understand how totally dependent we are on Him.
Many of us here this morning are faced with the daunting task of parenting, protecting and providing for the next generation. It’s overwhelming. The task of parenting is powerless without prayerful dependence on the Lord.
Hymn writer James Montgomery wrote these words, “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, The Christian’s native air.” Where there is a true desire to see our children draw closer to the Lord, there will also be prayer. It is the “vital” breath of the parent. Prayer is one indication that a parent is deeply concerned about the spiritual well-being of their child.
It is essential to Christian parenting. If there is something wrong with a parent’s prayer life, it affects our whole family. Prayer is just as vital to the spiritual health of our children as breathing is to their physical health.
I think some of us (myself included) have seasons where we try to pull off prayer-less parenting. Parenting without prayer is like trying to run a marathon without breathing properly. Without a healthy prayer life, there simply is not enough strength to parent well.
If you struggle with prayer, my objective this morning is not to make you feel bad but to help you see the tremendous value of a vibrant prayer-life. My goal this morning is for you and me to view prayer as a vital and life-giving privilege given to parents. I’m going to show you these 6 truths from God’s word:
- God created prayer for our benefit
- God shares His abundance with us through prayer
- God gave prayer as a powerful gift to every shepherd
- God is affected by prayer
- God places no limits on prayer
- God uses our prayers to affect the outcome of real events
God created prayer for our benefit – Matthew 7:11, Psalms 40:17
God created prayer for our benefit, not as a burden. God appointed parents to pray because it is a privilege and a blessing to lift up the needs of our families before a God who is infinitely able to meet those needs.
Prayer was given by God to be a means by which we can express ourselves to Him and to draw strength from Him. It is a way to connect the eternal soul living in each one of us to the One who created that soul. Through prayer, God stoops down to our level:
- He listens to us.
- He blesses us.
- He gives to us.
God is a good Father who is rich and full and generous. He loves to give good gifts to his children and to the earthly parents of His children. Prayer gives us the tools needed to express our desires and needs to the One who can supply all needs. As a perfect Father, God finds great pleasure in supplying the needs of His people.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” When we pray, we admit our littleness and God’s greatness.
- The nearer a parent is to God, the more they realize the overwhelming and eternal responsibility we’ve been given as parents.
- But they also realize how abundant His resources really are. God is awesome and powerful especially when we feel like we are poor and needy and without all the answers.
Let’s consider King David. He was a man with great wealth and power and influence. Listen to his words in Ps 40: As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! – ps 40:17
God shares His abundance with us through prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is God’s plan to supply man’s great and continuous needs with His unlimited resources. When Paul charges us to “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, try not to think of prayer as yet another activity to add into your already overloaded schedule. Rather, think of it as the operating system on which all of the parenting apps run. It is the environment where we function best as effective parents.
OR to use our opening example, you could think of it as our ongoing respiration that draws life and spiritual power into our parenting labors.
The “ceaseless prayer” Paul is referring to is marked by a person who is continually mindful of the fact that God is rich in resources and we are poor and needy. Through prayer we have access to the very God who can perfectly meet us in every one of our many needs.
It is a privilege to pray, but to call it a mere privilege is to fall short in our description of it. Let me explain: Do you ever take a deep breath and say, “Wow, that breath was really a great privilege!” It is a privilege, but you probably don’t think of it like that because breathing is more than a privilege. Breathing is essential!
Prayer is a privilege in the same way that air is a privilege. It is not a duty to pray, but a necessary pleasure. It’s essential for spiritual vitality.
It draws life into our mundane tasks of driving kids around and cleaning up dishes and paying the bills. It is God’s gift to us and it’s a vital part of helping to develop the spiritual lives of our kids.
God gave prayer as a powerful gift to every shepherd – James 5:13-16
Most of you are not serving as elders in the church, and you would not consider yourselves to be “pastors.” However many (possibly most) of you are still entrusted with a pastoring responsibility. You are entrusted with the spiritual care of those in your own household. You are a shepherd over your children’s souls.
Just like an elder shepherds the “flock” in the church, you shepherd the “flock” at home. Given that perspective, let’s consider the words in James 5:13-16: “13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Although that passage is primarily written to elders in the church, I see implications all over it for a parent caring for the spiritual welfare of children or grandchildren in the home.
Remember that the book of James was written to Jews in the dispersion. These were persecuted believers. In the book of James, it speaks of trials, extortion and suffering endured by those who followed after Jesus in the early church. Some of these believers were so weak and deeply wounded that they were tempted to give up the fight for Christ.
This passage was primarily written as an encouragement to those who are strong in the faith to uphold and care for the spiritual needs of those who are weak or weary. In our context of prayerfully-dependent-parenting this morning, let’s consider the implications of this verse for parents (the shepherd’s/elders of the home):
“13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
As we are faced with both joyful and difficult issues, it gives parents opportunities to model prayerful dependence on the Lord. Let’s become prayer opportunists! In your home, you have authority as a parent. Use that authority to take everyday triumphs and trials to the Lord in prayer!
- At meal time, use prayer to not only thank God for the food, but to also praise an attribute of God or to pray for another family in need
- In a tough time, be the parent who is the first to say, “Let’s pause for a minute and ask God for help.”
- Infusing prayer into your family life gives you the opportunity to teach your kids about prayer by modelling it to them
” 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”
There is some debate between conservative scholars about whether the oil is symbolic or medicinal, but I think we can safely (and conservatively) make this conclusion: make prayer a central part of your medical treatment plan. As fast as you grab medication for a physical ailment, be just as fast to offer up prayer to the Lord.
If your faith is getting weak, don’t hesitate to come forward in church to have someone pray with you. If you are so sick that you can’t make it to church, call on the elders to come and pray over you! Prayer is powerful medicine!
Sometimes the Lord answers prayers for healing. Other times, He will “raise a person up” and give them spiritual strength to press on for the Lord in the midst of their illness.
“15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16a Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Unconfessed sins in our families are dangerous. They can be divisive. Model confession to your kids. If you mess up, tell your children that you’re sorry. Ask for their forgiveness. The healing process in a family begins when one person is humble enough to apologize first.
“16b The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
God is vitally concerned that parents pray because:
- Families are made spiritually stronger through prayer.
- God does some of His best work in our homes during the time we spend in prayer.
- God does some of His best work in the world through the prayers of His people.
- When God’s people pray, changes happen both in the home and around the globe!
Do you believe that the prayer of a righteous person could affect more change than anything else? Is it more effective than medicine? Is it more effective than giving another lecture? James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” If a righteous person can affect the decisions of the God of the universe, I believe that means a praying parent could be one of the most powerful forces present on the earth right now.
God is affected by prayer – Romans 8:31-32, Matthew 7:11, 21:22, Jeremiah 33:3, James 4:2
Prayer affects God. It prompts God to move in ways that he may not have otherwise moved. The whole of Scripture tells us that he hears and answers the cries of his people.
One of the purposes of the Bible is to stress the great importance of asking God for both the physical needs of our families and for the spiritual needs of our families. He tells us that He will not withhold any good thing from us. Romans 8:31b-32 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” God turned over His own Son for our good. Wouldn’t He be willing to grant your family the spiritual strength you need for whatever trial you’re facing right now? Ask him for the strength to face the issues in your home!
Let’s recall again the words in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
God encourages us to pray. He gives us the certainty that He will answer our prayers in accordance with the generosity of his promises and according to the abundance that He possesses.
- God will not ever run out of resources.
- God does not have to be careful in what he gives to his people.
- He always has more than enough.
- He is never greedy or stingy.
Matthew 21:22 says, “22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” The “whatever” in that verse covers everything. We are invited to ask God for anything and if He believes it is a good gift for us to have, He will grant it.
God does not ask us to prove to Him that we’re needy. He already knows that! He challenges us to ask for His help. God says in Jeremiah 33:3,“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
God places no limits on prayer – Ephesians 3:20, Romans 11:34-36
God seems more concerned that we will ask for too little than He is concerned that we will ask for too much. If we make huge requests of God, it will never restrict His ability to provide. (God never says, “that costs too much. I can’t afford that!”) According to Ephesians 3:20, God is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” He almost paralyzes us with this complete freedom to ask for whatever we think is best.
Think of it: we have unlimited access to the God who runs this world. We can ask anything we want to ask of the very God who rules with infinite wisdom and power. AND… He promises to consider every request of His people.
God uses our prayers to affect the outcome of real events. You and I never inform God of anything that he does not already know. God does not learn or improve. He already knows everything there is to know and He is already perfect. We never add to His wisdom and He does not need our advice about what He should do next. He is already perfectly wise. These are the most basic things regarding the nature of God. Paul wrote in Romans 11:34-36,
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Never-the-less, God uses our prayers to affect the outcome of real events.
God uses our prayers to affect the outcome of real events – Romans 8:26-34, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Here is one of my favorite quotes from Dr. John Piper, “Prayer causes things to happen that do not happen if the prayers don’t happen.” The Almighty God who rules and reigns in the universe is concerned with our praying.
- He wills it.
- He commands it.
- He empowers it.
Prayer is at the very center of the heart and will of God as He relates to our families. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It is God’s will that we pray and He is honored by our prayers.
Application:
For the last 9 years or so, I have met just about every week with an intercessory prayer team to intentionally pray for God’s people. Here’s why I do that: I am convinced that a group of 2 or 3 or 8 people gathered together to earnestly seek God’s will for those in His church is a powerful and effective use of time.
Imagine this: a group of intercessors gather in my little office can pray in a way that can affect what God does in this world. If we really believe what the Bible says, that means that a prayer circle has access to more power than an army, a nuclear bomb or the President of the United States.
Here’s what that means for you:
- Go to prayer first. Instead of first running to the doctor, to the medicine cabinet or to worry and fear, run to the Lord. Parent from within the environment of prayer. Realize that you need the Lord and the your prayers are the lifeblood for your family’s spiritual health.
- We take your prayer requests seriously here at Canyon because God takes prayer seriously. When we say that we want to pray for you, we really mean it. We believe that the very best thing we can do for you and your family is to lift your prayer requests up to our powerful, sovereign, all-knowing, all resourceful King
- Join us for intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is not a show. It is serious and it’s for the serious-minded disciple of Christ’s. Our prayer team meets and prays PERIOD. We don’t gossip. We don’t make commentary about your requests.
We simply pray for you.
We pray scripture over you.
We stand with you and shoulder some of your burdens in prayer
Maybe the Lord is calling a few more of you to come and join us for this vital time of ministry. - Prayer is available every week by the cross after church. Some of our elders and intercessors are available to go before the Lord and pray with you. We keep it off to the side and out of the way so that we can engage in the spiritual discipline of prayer without interruption. Many of you are struggling with your health, with a relationship or with a tough decision right now. Instead of keeping that to yourself, let’s ask God for some big things! Let one of our intercessors stand before the Lord with you in prayer. It’s important and it’s powerful.
Prayer is important for your spiritual health. It is our vital breath as believers. It is important to this church. But…most of all, it is important to God. We encourage you to be engaged in the prayer ministries that we offer here at Canyon. I hope this morning that you have a renewed vision of prayer as a life-giving privilege given to a child of God.
The Power of a Praying Parent | Romans 8:26-34, Matthew 7:11, James 5:13-16
God created prayer for our benefit – Matthew 7:11, Psalms 40:17
God shares His abundance with us through prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
God gave prayer as a powerful gift to every shepherd – James 5:13-16
God is affected by prayer – Romans 8:31-32, Matthew 7:11, 21:22, Jeremiah 33:3, James 4:2
God places no limits on prayer – Ephesians 3:20, Romans 11:34-36
God uses our prayers to affect the outcome of real events – Romans 8:26-34, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Application:
Go to prayer first.
We take your prayer requests seriously
Join us for intercessory prayer.
Prayer is available every week by the cross after church
Senior Pastor Mark Stafford
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