Sample prayer

Sovereign Lord, sometimes life can seem like a bad dream, full of unexpected or unwanted changes. When I become overwhelmed with suffocating sorrow, hopelessness, loneliness, all-consuming disappointment or despair, may I look at the sky as a reminder that You established Your faithfulness in heaven itself and that Your faithful love stands firm forever (Psalm 89:2). Please hold me in Your fatherly arms and whisper words of comfort from Your Word: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,” “He changes times and seasons,” “It is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Daniel 2:21, Proverbs 19:21). In You my heart rejoices, because I trust in Your holy name. Thank you for assuring me of Your everlasting love. It gives me hope – for today and for tomorrow (Psalm 33:21-22, Jeremiah 29:11).

As the great I Am, I know You will always be more than enough for me. Even though I know this, when there is unwelcome or unexpected change in my life, I find my faith is stretched. Please forgive me for forgetting to trust You and for questioning Your ways. My desire is to be moulded and shaped to be like Jesus! I have tasted that You are good! Please help me to remember that You can use challenges to help me grow. In all of this, I want to learn to hold on to You, instead of life’s comforts (1 Peter 2:2-3, Psalm 73:23).

Likewise, when life threatens to “rock” my children ________ and ________, my prayer is that they will trust You as their rock, believing that You work for the good of those who love You (Romans 8:28). May You, the God of hope, fill ________ and ________ with joy and peace as they put their trust in You, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). On the days when ________ and ________ sense that change is approaching and they start to fear that things will never be the same, I pray that You will give my children Your peace. If anxiety or doubt creep in, please remind them to make David’s prayer their own saying, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). Even in the throes of their emotions, please inspire ________ and ________ to seek You so that their faces radiate joy, despite the unknown that lies ahead. Please answer ________ and ________’s prayers and deliver them from all their fears (Psalm 34:4-5).

During times of upheaval and unrest, may our family take comfort in the fact that You, the Lord, do not change (Malachi 3:6). Though the turmoil in our lives makes it feel as though the earth is giving way and the mountains are falling into the sea, we choose to make You our refuge and to trust You for strength. We know You are our ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1-3). Thank you for the peace that accompanies knowing that even though life’s changes are beyond our control, nothing – even monumental troubles and hardships – can separate us from Your love (Romans 8:35). You have been good to us! We trust in Your unfailing love. Please remind us to rejoice in our salvation and give us strength to sing praise to You – even when life goes sideways (Psalm 13:5-6). Amen.

Scripture-guided prayer for parents

Read and pray through one or more of the selected Scriptures under each heading. Focus on listening to God and allowing His Spirit to direct you as you pray.

Character focus

Begin by thanking God for being your rock, your counsellor and your comforter in times of change.

Psalm 23:1-4 | Psalm 89:1-2 | Isaiah 40:21-26 | Isaiah 42:16 | Romans 11:33-34

Heart search

Acknowledge where you lack peace or faith in relation to life change.

Deuteronomy 1:29-33 | Proverbs 3:5-7 | Jeremiah 6:16 | Jeremiah 10:23 | Matthew 14:22-33

Gratitude

Thank God for ways you have seen your family trust God and experience peace in the midst of difficulties.

Family requests

Ask God to help you and your children trust in Him when life is comfortable and when life is uncomfortable.

Psalm 25:4 | Psalm 32:8 | Psalm 37:3-4 | Psalm 143:8 | Isaiah 48:17