I have a confession to make. As a mom of two teenagers, I have good days when everything is picture-perfect. But then there are the days I’m an emotional wreck, the moments I no longer recognize my teenager.
I have a confession to make. As a mom of two teenagers, I have good days when everything is picture-perfect. But then there are the days I'm an emotional wreck, the moments I no longer recognize my teenager. I try to convince myself my children's actions should not affect my ability to function; yet, when their actions don't align with how my husband and I raised them, rooted and founded on God's Word, I fall into a pit of despair.
I grieve for the present and their future, for the potential lost opportunities because of their current decisions and destructive behavior. I am distraught at the thought they may ultimately walk away from God, the church, and all we ever taught them. And I fear they may never come back. All I've ever wanted for my children is for them to seek after God and follow Him all the days of their lives. Although we laid the foundation of God in their lives when they were young, I wonder if any remnants remain. I used to cling to and quote the verse,
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
But as my teenagers mature and start claiming their independence from us, I wonder, is this true? After all, just because we teach them right from wrong does not automatically exempt them from making foolish choices when they're older. As I walk this road parenting teenagers, God teaches me to let go and give Him control. He comforts me through His Word, removes my fears and doubts, and replaces them with hope. When our teenagers don't seem to connect to Christ in the way we hope they would, we must give room for God to chase after them, call them to Him, and let them turn and seek Him on their own accord.
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” Ezekiel 34:11 (ESV)
Be encouraged that even if our mini adults do the complete opposite of what we think is best for them, all hope is not lost. God's plan for their lives cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2-3). It is disheartening to watch them walk away, turn their backs on God, and follow the ways of the world. When I feel utterly helpless, God repeatedly reminds me I have access to the most powerful tool—prayer! When we call on God, we call on the Almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal God. He who formed the heavens and earth, caused the whole earth to flood, parted the Red Sea, caused walls to fall, and raised the dead to life can absolutely lead our children back to Him. Remember, nothing is impossible for God (Matthew 19:26).
20 Verses to Pray When We Are Worried Our Teens Are Not Connecting to Christ
Prayer and scripture reading has given me power over my fears. When I pray scripture over my teenagers, I feel a deep sense that tells me the Holy Spirit is at work. I put together a collection of verses to pray over my teenagers, and I hope you will find them a source of encouragement and a place to start when you find that your heart is too broken for words:
- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil." - Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV)
- "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
- "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." - Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)
- "My heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they might be saved." - Romans 10:1 (ESV)
- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
- "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
- "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (ESV)
- "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." - Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
- "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." - Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)
- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11(ESV)
- "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
- "If people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
- "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
- "For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." - Psalm 100:5 (NLT)
- "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." - Romans 9:16 (NIV)
- "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." - Micah 7:18-19 (ESV)
- "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20 (ESV)
- "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." - Hebrews 8:12 (ESV)
- "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." - 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV)
- "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart." - Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Jennifer Jabbour resides in the scenic San Diego countryside with her husband, adult son, and teen daughter, and their hilarious English Bulldog. Jennifer has a B.A. in Integrated Business Communications, and is a Go + Tell Gals licensed life coach. Jennifer hopes to use her calling of writing, coaching, and speaking to equip and empower women to clarify their vision and to boldly step forward in response to God's calling on their life, as well as educate and encourage others to experience the abundance of God's goodness when they seek Him first in all that they do. Jennifer is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a photographer, and an avid outdoors-woman. She loves camping, hiking, running, and playing the piano in her free time.
You can keep up with Jennifer on her website https://www.jenniferjabbour.
