Praying for the Child Who Is Quietly Struggling
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:11 NIV
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I remember the walk in from the church parking lot feeling extremely long. Then the Sunday morning walk down the church hallway felt like at least a mile. One of my kiddos did not want to go into class. Other children ran to find their friends. Or rushed to hug their teacher while one of mine put on the brakes.
I prayed about it. We had tried a Daddy-only drop-off approach. We mixed up the drop-off order, letting the oldest go first to set the example. We tried letting the one struggling go first with a support team. But no matter what we did, the same struggle was at the same door. I remember driving away from the church, feeling like a failure as a parent. How could I not know what my own child was thinking and feeling?
Are you living a version of this right now? Your son or daughter isn’t saying much, but you know something is off. Quiet has grown quieter. Or a place they used to love now causes friction. Their stomach hurts. Funny how it can happen at the same time every week.
When I was between seven and nine years old, I threw up the night before summer camp—every year. My parents figured I had a 24-hour virus. But the truth? I was afraid, anxious, and literally worried sick. I went to camp anyway, and crazy thing, I loved it! Seriously, I loved camp. But the night before leaving, my body would say what I couldn’t find words for.
David wrote Psalm 34 just after a terrifying experience. He had been running for his life and pretended to be insane. Fear forced itself on him and his broken heart over his wandering, rebellious son, together with the fear. Devastating. In those moments, he wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
A crushed spirit doesn’t have a neat label. I’m glad this passage doesn’t say that God will only come close if you can explain what’s wrong with you. Broken-hearted can be a little girl hanging on to her parents in a church hallway. Crushed in spirit can look like the girl getting sick the night before camp.
God sees what we can’t. He is near our children every single moment of every day. When we can’t follow them or be near them, He is. When they are in the classroom or on the school bus, He’s got them covered. When the quiet of their own bedtime thoughts is too much, He is near.
I don’t have parenting all figured out. Neither does Google or ChatGPT. Maybe you need more practical options, and I’m 100% for that. Do the research, get the counseling, and find tools and answers. I’m thankful that more information is available than it was forty years ago, or even twenty years ago.
But if you are carrying the weight of it all because your child’s anxiety is heightening yours, then give them to Jesus.
You don’t have to comprehend all the reasons to bring your child to the Lord. You don’t have to understand their struggles to pray over them fully. God is nearer than you can know. He is always close.
Will you pray with me?
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
God, I’m giving my child to you again. Something is weighing on this precious heart You’ve allowed me to hold. I can’t name the problems, but I see signs that something hurts. You see everything, Lord.
When I feel like I’m the worst parent ever and I’ve tried everything I know, be my Answer, Lord. Forgive me for any mistakes I’ve made or for focusing on things less important than caring for my children. Help me to be a noticer of their needs.
Your Word promises that You are near the brokenhearted. Be close to my child in the places I can’t go. Calm the fears they have no words for and help them find the words. While we sleep tonight, help me trust that You love my child even more than I do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
Their Bodies Are Speaking: What has your child's behavior been trying to tell you lately? Stomachaches, sudden clinginess, and new fears are often a child's way of saying what they can't put into words. Ask God to help you listen with your eyes as well as your ears.
Not Knowing: Have you been grading your parenting by whether you've found the answer? Some struggles stay a mystery even after much prayer and wise counsel. Your assignment tonight isn't to solve it but to keep carrying your child to the One who already knows.
God Goes Where You Can't: Where will your child be tomorrow that you won't be? The Lord is near them in every hallway and classroom. Rest tonight knowing your child is never out of His reach.
Thank you for joining us tonight. We hope this prayer has encouraged your heart. If you're battling problems you never requested in life, we invite you to check out Rachel's book, Praying through Life’s Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith at https://battleprayers.com. Until next time, remember, God sees you, He hears you, and He knows your needs.
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