Find tangible ways to let your teens know how you pray for them.
M‚Ääichelle told us, “I want Ashley to know that the things she and I talk about are the same things I discuss with God.”
Each month for nearly 10 years, I gathered for prayer with my friends Kim and Michelle. We often shared similar concerns before praying for our children. But when Michelle’s daughter, Ashley, turned 13, our list expanded. In addition to praying about protection, health and developing personalities and talents, Michelle introduced issues concerning Ashley’s increased level of independence, new peer group and a heightened self-awareness.
We encouraged Michelle to give Ashley a tangible reminder of her prayers:
Write your daily prayers for your teen on a calendar. Then personalize it with your teen’s photograph. Teens will see how their parents have prayed for them during the past year.
Use silk flowers and write a different topic of prayer on the first petal of each flower, such as intimacy with God, honoring parents, educational excellence, respecting authority, health, godly self-image, sexual purity, wise decisions, godly friends and role models, rejecting rebellion, a biblical worldview, discipline, financial wisdom and accountability. Then as you pray specific prayers that relate to these general topics, write those prayers on the other petals of that flower. Each birthday, give teens a bouquet as a visual confirmation of your prayers.
Read More About:
Before you can begin to talk over the conflict like reasonable, loving adults, you have to pry your closed hearts open again.
Couples can build a healthy marriage when they offer encouragement to bring about change, growth and the fulfillment of potential.
I’ve yet to meet a married couple who didn’t struggle with unspoken expectations. By learning to talk about expectations in your marriage, you can begin to establish a more satisfying relationship.
