August 18: Prayer for Parents to be the Best Advocates for Their Children

My son spent a year after college working for Americorps Vista, a national program that that places adults for a year of service in nonprofit programs which fight poverty. He worked for Amachi (which means who knows what God has brought us through this child?), a partnership of secular and faith-based organizations working together to provide mentoring to children of incarcerated parents. He did this through Big Brothers Big Sisters in Portland, Oregan. After doing that for two years, he moved with his family to Bend, Oregon where he now works for Deschutes Children's Foundation, another nonprofit that buys and manages facilities for organizations serving the needs of children and families. These properties cluster like-minded organizations together in welcoming spaces which it provides rent-free. Needless to say, I am very proud of the way he is giving back through his work.

Today we especially pray for organizations, like the ones that my son has served, that support parents in the challenging work of being the kind of parents God has created them to be. We pray for parents that they may be positive supporters and encouragers of their children and those who teach their children.

DAY 5 Prayer for Parents to be the Best Advocates for their Children

Did you know that there are people, programs and organizations all across Texas who faithfully serve the needs of at-risk and vulnerable children? Did you also know that your voice can and will make a difference in the lives of children? As parents become better advocates for their children and agents of change, they can choose the right schools for their children and get more involved in their kids’ education. There’s also a growing commitment by the Faith Community to reach up in prayer and out in love to reverse these damaging trends in the lives of at-risk children.

Let’s Pray

Father, your word declares, “How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” You are the ultimate parent and you want the very best for each of your children. We are so thankful.

Father, you have called parents to both nurture and impart your values to our children. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) But we need your help. Many of the families in our city are struggling. They are facing enormous pressures and are often lacking in the parenting skills they need to care or advocate for their children. Many among us are attempting to fill the role of both father and mother. Please help us, the Faith Community, to see how we can serve the parents and families of our communities. Show us what you have already raised up to engage and strengthen families. Help us to share resources, models and experiences that can effectively meet the needs of families, especially families of at-risk children.

Thank you for the commitment that is growing in our midst. Bless these efforts and cause them to multiply across the Greater Houston area. All of this we ask in your name, the name of Jesus, and for the sake of the children of our city. AMEN

Can We Be The Answer?

Do you know groups whose specific mission is to empower parents to effectively advocate for their children? Share a story where a parent’s advocacy made a difference in the life of a child.