Sometimes the teenagers we love go through season of pain and suffering, and we quickly reach the limits of our human ability to help. We long to pour out our hearts to God, but it can be hard to find words when we are worried or afraid. Thanks be to God, we who have the Holy Spirit do not have to form perfect phrases, because “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). But there are times when it is a comfort to us to speak words, to pray out loud from the Scriptures, because as we pray we are reminded of the promises and character of God who loves our teenagers more than we can imagine. Over the next few weeks we will offer you prayers you can use as a starting point to lift up the teenagers you love to the Lord. We hope these will encourage you to remain steadfast in prayer, for “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (Jas. 5:16).
A Plea to Pray
According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism prayer is an “offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.” As Christians, we know how valuable prayer is for maturing in our relationship with Christ.
I grew up in small-town Alabama where everyone knew everything about you. It was hard to get away with anything because everybody went to church together. Yet, even in a small town, it didn’t take much for a teenager to rebel and forget the teachings of his past. I know because I was one of them. My parents love the Lord and did everything in their power to make sure my sister and I were brought up with the teachings of the Gospel. Anytime there was a church event or Bible study, we were there.
But even as faithful as my parents were, it didn’t stop me from having questions. And it didn’t stop me from eventually rebelling against them and the church. I can’t speak for my sister, but there came a point in my life where I wanted nothing to do with God, the church, or the Bible. That might have never changed had it not been for the steady prayers of my parents.
The moment you stop praying for your child is the moment you stop caring. If it wasn’t for the prayers of my parents, grandparents, and most of all– the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I would not only be a child of God but I wouldn’t be a student pastor.
As a student pastor and former rebel, I can tell you this: the best thing you can do for your teenager who is rebelling is to keep them in church and never stop praying for them. In the moments of frustration, stress, anger, or fear, remember that prayer is essential. In prayer, you admit to God that only he can help your child who is in rebellion. I recently heard that prayer is like oxygen; to neglect to pray is to suffocate yourself. Never stop praying for your child who is rebelling.
Praying for the Rebel Child
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, you are a great and amazing God. I come admitting my own failures and repent of my sin. I humbly ask for wisdom and guidance with my child. As Proverbs 1 tells me, I pray for wisdom and instruction. My child is rebelling against me and the church. But more importantly, he is rebelling against you. Through the work of your Holy Spirit, will you convict my child to help him understand that your ways are better than man’s. You are righteous, holy, and just. You, O God, are set apart.
I pray that my child will hear his father’s instruction and forsake not his mother’s teaching. I pray that my child will not go the way of the prodigal son (Luke 15). I pray that even in his foolish rebellion, you, O Lord, will protect him and keep him safe. We pray that God will enable him to see the danger of his sin and turn the other direction.
May he one day come to his senses and return to what he knows is holy, pure, and righteous. My wife and I follow your ways and trust you with everything to the best of our ability. We know that you are sovereign and good. Even in our child’s foolishness, may we have patience, show grace, yet still be firm. Help us to remember that “a soft answer will turn wrath away” (Proverbs 15:1).
Lastly, O God, we know that there is a time and season for everything. In due time, may we all remember how much you love us and care for us. That you are slow to anger and quick to forgive. May we as parents be quick to forgive and never stop praying for our child who desperately needs you.
To you alone belongs the glory, honor, and praise, Amen.
