5 Things to Pray for Your ParentsНамуна
Praying When My Parents Are Feeling Lonely
Heavenly Father, when my parents feel alone, please grant them...
Friendship
“The Lord confides in those who fear him” (Psalm 25:14).
Why might your parents be feeling lonely? Perhaps they’re far from loved ones, living alone, sick in a hospital bed, missing old friends, estranged from family, or unable to keep up with conversations like they used to. Pray that God would be a faithful friend to them in the midst of their loneliness.
Grace
“Turn to me and be gracious to me” (Psalm 15:16).
People may turn away from us, but God graciously turns toward his children. Pray that your mom and dad would grasp the depth of God’s love toward them and receive it with grateful hearts. Thank him for being gracious to you too.
Comfort
“For I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16).
David first spoke these words, but they were fulfilled in King Jesus who was despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. Pray that your parents would find comfort in Christ and draw near to God through him. Ask your heavenly Father to reveal how you might also be a comfort to your parents in their loneliness; pray for strength to love them well.
Relief
“Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish” (Psalm 25:17).
Loneliness can take a toll on our hearts and minds—causing us to believe Satan’s lies or doubt God’s love for us. Pray that God would free your parents from any anxiety or anguish they may be experiencing and that they would cast their cares upon the Lord.
Mercy
“Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins” (Psalm 25:18).
Sometimes we bring isolation upon ourselves through the choices we make. Pray that the Spirit would convict your parents of any sinful patterns that may be contributing to their loneliness and prompt them to seek forgiveness from God and others. If your parents have sinned toward you, ask God to give you a posture of humility and mercy toward them so that you’re ready to forgive as Christ has forgiven you.
Scripture
About this Plan
The Bible calls us to honor our parents—and one way we can do that is by praying for them. This five-day guide will help you to pray rich, intentional prayers for your mother or father—be they biological or adoptive, involved or inattentive, loving or cold, frail or fit, believers or unbelievers. Whatever their situation or posture toward us, if we want to love them well, we need to pray.
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