Three Ways to Make Generational Prayers a Priority
By Ashley Moore
Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.” - Isaiah 39:8, ESV
If everything you prayed about today was the only thing left on the earth tomorrow what would remain?
Maybe your family would remain because you thanked God for them briefly when you woke up.
Perhaps food? Does that 5-second prayer count at lunch?
One, maybe two friends? You made a note to mention their name after they texted you asking for prayer, so hopefully, they slid in there.
But if we're being honest, our prayer lives don’t often extend far beyond what is right in front of us each day.
Right before our focus verse, the prophet Isaiah delivered a hard-to-swallow message to Hezekiah warning him that difficult times were coming for his sons. Hezekiah’s sons and all the riches in his kingdom would be carried away to the palace of Babylon where his children would become eunuchs (Isaiah 39:5-7).
Several chapters earlier in the book of Isaiah, Hezekiah experienced two separate occasions where he was presented with bad news and he immediately responded by going to God in prayer. Likely, he responded with such fervency because the prophet's predictions negatively impacted him and his kingdom. But now, since this latest barrage of bad news wouldn't concern him, Hezekiah accepted the message and settled for peace and security in his days (Isaiah 39:8). He didn’t respond as he had before, and he didn’t ask God to extend mercy to this future generation.
How could a man who had seen God change the trajectory of his people on account of his pleas, sit idly by when his children were destined for destruction?
Well, likely the same way we, as believers in Christ, settle for salvation and blessings in our life but neglect to pray for the next generation to know God.
But let’s all agree that God has been way too generous to us, and way too approachable in prayer for us to not make praying for the next generation a priority.
So how can we steward our prayer lives for the benefit of others?
UNDERSTAND WE HAVE GOD’S EAR
The Bible says that God bends down to hear us (Psalm 116:2). When Jesus died on the cross, he made the final sacrifice required for sinners to have access to God and the mercy seat. This means we can boldly approach God’s throne and find forgiveness, help, and grace when we need it (Hebrews 4:16). Let’s not only use that access for our benefit but to also pray for those who will come after us who will also need God’s help.
PRAY OFTEN
First Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to pray without ceasing. There will be many things that distract us from prayer. Maybe you write a reminder on your mirror to pray for your children’s generation. Or perhaps you put a day on the calendar each month where you specifically pray for the next generation to know and follow God. Or maybe you make it a habit to ask leaders in your children’s ministry or youth ministry at your home church how you can partner with them in prayer. However you decide to remind yourself to pray, do it often because it matters.
KNOW THE POWER OF PRAYER
James 5:16 reminds us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Our righteousness is a gift afforded to us via the greatest exchange. Jesus took our sins and gave us His right standing with God the Father. This means when we pray, God receives our prayers and responds to them as if our perfect sinless Savior was asking Him for something. God acts when we pray, so let’s not neglect to ask Him for mercy for not only ourselves, but the generations to come.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for mercy, redemption, and the access you have given us to you! Lord, we don’t only want to experience your goodness in our lives, we want to see your mercy and power extend to the generations to come. Lord, we ask for you to reveal yourself to those who will come after us. Jesus, save them and teach them to follow in your ways. Until Your Kingdom comes, and Your will is done, help us continue praying for the next generation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Originally published Monday, 07 August 2023.
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