God’s Got This: Extra-Special ParentingSample

"Praying for Your Child’s Salvation"

I’ve spent the better part of the last two decades working with children of all ages. This has shaped my view of a childlike faith in the best of ways. I firmly believe that all children are wired for faith, and I do mean all. I think that sometimes the world at large discounts what a differently-abled citizen can do or understand. As parents, we need to suspend this false belief over every child we are privileged to impact, whether they join our family biologically, or through adoption, fostering, or blending. Every child is wired with an innate desire to know truth and to know the author of truth. Matthew 18:2-3 states, “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” If your kiddo has some special needs, that doesn’t exempt God from being able to reveal Himself to him or her. In fact, I’d argue that perhaps children with special needs are more in tune sometimes.

I share this because I’ve seen it in our own family. A precious cousin has floored me over the decade he’s blessed this world with his presence. He is in touch with Jesus as a child in ways many adults will never comprehend. He prays, he praises, and he just loves the Lord. Stand up and pray in church? No problem! Pray over his friends and family? Absolutely! Talk every day to God in heaven? It’s a given. His Spirit, his heart, and his joy in his Jesus is complete and inspiring.

Our little who has special needs will ask deep questions about eternity and about Jesus’ rays peeking out from behind the clouds. During what felt like eons of speech therapy, he would sometimes just pray out loud in a language I couldn't understand, laughing softly as if enjoying a special private moment with his Savior. Maybe I didn’t understand the words, but I know to the core of my being that Jesus did.

As we raise up these young men and women, we may see them struggle in ways that break our hearts. We may feel that life is just so unfair at times. We may spend hours on our knees begging for things to be just a little easier. We may get close to losing our minds when someone says something thoughtless or just plain mean. But in those hard moments, please hold to this truth: Everything you do or say, and every single prayer you pray is leading your child closer to the heart of the Father who has purposed him or her. His or her heart, like any of our hearts, are longing to know Him and are able to grow in faith. So pray diligently over your child’s salvation. Pray for ways to reach your kiddo for Jesus. Pray that he or she will grow in walking with Jesus, and sing out prayers of gratitude when you watch how your child’s growing faith impacts your own. Remember Psalm 136:1, which proclaims, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

When John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life,” it truly means “whosoever” believes in Him.