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Do you ever wonder what to say in your prayers for strong-willed children?
Defeated, I sat on the kitchen floor in a pile of tears. Our day, which was supposed to be a fun time together, was reduced to tantrums, yelling, and lots of tears.
Yet if I am honest, I recognize that this place of frustration and heartbreak is something I experience often. Parenting my strong-willed child has often left me overwhelmed, frazzled, and wondering how to manage the chaos.
At that moment, I knew I needed more than a few strategic parenting tips to help us thrive as a family. I knew God himself needed to reunite our hearts and change all of our attitudes.
Without His powerful presence, we were on a path of destruction and our fragile parent-child relationship hanging in the balance.
Then, in my weakness, the Lord prompted me to fight for my child on my knees each day in prayer. Little did I know how much it would change me…
How War Room Prayers Change Parents
Over time, the Lord has revealed just how powerful war room prayers for our children can be.
However, I didn’t expect God to change my heart in the process.
In bringing strong-willed children before the Lord, it:
Releases the grasp we hold over them.
It’s easy to get territorial and hold tight to our God-given role as their parents. When we start praying deep, war room prayers over our children, it reminds us that they truly belong to the Lord. As parents, we are simply stewarding the gifts we’ve have been given. While it’s our job to shepherd and guide our children, it’s also our responsibility to release them back to the Lord.
Reminds us that God has a plan for their life.
While we would love for our journey through parenthood to be easy and filled with mainly good moments, we need to keep an eternal perspective and remember our duty to train up children for God’s glory. Just like all of us, God has a plan for our children and He will guide them on this journey through life.
Restores our strength in weary moments.
In seasons of battling a strong-willed child, a parent (like me!) can easily feel defeated and overwhelmed. Yet kneeling before the throne of God, we can find hope, strength, and encouragement to press on. As we come face to face with the grace of God, it’s there we can learn to give grace to our children, even when it’s not deserved.
5 War Room Prayers for Strong-Willed Children
Salvation
As I watch my child struggle and wrestle with the concept of “no”, or following directions, I see this behavior for what it really is, sin.
My child, even at a young age, is a sinner and in desperate need for salvation. I know that while sin manifests itself in many ways, the Lord’s grace and mercy can change a life and heart in the blink of an eye.
My most fervent war room prayer for strong-willed children is that the Lord will get a hold of his or her life and never let go.
“Lord,
I pray for salvation for my strong-willed child. May you get a hold of his life and never let go. Save him at an early age and open his eyes to your grace and be forever changed. Shake up his life and convict him of sin at a young age. May you change him to the core. Channel that strong-will to do mighty things for your kingdom and may he grow to be a man who lives to love and serve you!”
Self-Control
There are times when my child seems out of control and unable to manage himself and his emotions. Yet I delight in knowing that the Lord gives us the ability to be self-controlled in His name. With God’s help, my child can learn to press pause on the chaos and make better choices.
“Father,
We praise you for the gift of self-control and how always provide a way out. Give my child the ability to grow in faith and seek you for self-control even when feelings are strong and emotions are high. Help him learn to pause and pray before thinking, speaking, and acting. May He grow to seek your wisdom and to have the ability to control himself even when it’s hard.”
Obedience
While sometimes our strong-willed child surprises us and is quick to obey, many times he fights hard the battle of the flesh. Just like adults, my strong-willed child battles fleshy desires and making choices to walk in the way of the wise.
“Lord,
Help my child with The battle of his flesh. He struggles to obey and to choose what is right. May He make wise choices, even when battling what he really wants to do, because of His love for you and his family. Let the reward of doing good outweigh the immediate gratification He gets from doing the wrong things. May you grow him in wisdom and may He learn to obey even when it’s hard.
Godly friendships
As a mom who loves the Lord, it’s my prayer that my child may surround himself with children who love the Lord, too. I pray that by being around those who love God and want to please Him, that those relationships will help keep him accountable and on track.
“Lord,
I pray for godly friendships for my child. Bring friends into his life who make wise choices and will encourage him to make wise choices as well. May they spur each other on towards godliness and to make choices that honor and glorify you.”
Family Relationships
When a strong-willed child struggles in the home, the entire family struggles as well. Whether parents are constantly correcting disobedience or they’re dealing with excessive whining, battling a wilful child can put a strain on family relationships.
One of my biggest areas of prayer for my child is for our family unity. Even when the correction has to be given or consequences handed out, may we both give equal grace to each other. May we quickly move past the messy moments to love each other and stay connected as a family rooted in Christ.
“Father,
You know there are seasons in which we constantly battle our strong-willed child. Constantly correcting him can leave a strain on our relationship. Please, help our relationship thrive even when consequences need to be given. Help him to see our love for him and help us give grace for those tough times. May we stay connected at the heart, even when we’re having to be firm and not allow sin to take place. Keep us rooted in love for each other and faith in you, even when it’s hard. “
While being a parent to a strong-willed child may not be easy, praying these simple war room prayers helps keep your family grounded in love and rooted in faith. Trust that God has a plan for your family, even in seasons of struggle, and turn to him for strength. He will get you through and give you hope even on your toughest days.
About the Author
Sarah Ann Goode is a perfectly imperfect wife and mother and is thankful for the saving grace of the Lord. When she’s not busy folding yet another load of laundry or comforting a crying child, she enjoys studying God’s Word, writing, and spending time with authentic friends. She’s passionate about helping busy women thrive in faith, family, and home at https://faithalongtheway.com. Join her for biblical encouragement and honest transparency on this crazy journey called life.
Great prayers. So many times I get stuck between sanity and taking time out to really enjoy the precious moments I have with my children. May God help me to make decisions for Him in all the moments – good and chaotic.
It’s hard, Brittany! But not impossible. God undertakes in our weak moments, and strengthens when we turn to Him. Blessings to you, my friend! <3
I think god lead me to your words as a mother,to a mother. I have been praying for my son who is 29 and now has really got himself in a mess. I needed to hear your favorite war room prays ,they were like talking about me and my son. I don’t know if you would understand what I’m saying but you have helped me to learn to pray in a new way and you have encouraged me. Thank you ! And I thank you God!
Isn’t God good to lead us to people who minister to our direct needs? So thankful for your comment, Peggy, and I pray God’s peace and comfort to your soul as you use these prayers for your son. I know the heartache a mom experiences with grown children, so praise the Lord for small blessings!
I appreciate that you mention that this releases the hold that we have on our kiddos. Because sometimes we can make getting through to them or loving them an idol. You know? Thank you for your insights.
YES!! I know. That’s God’s job – but we get anxious and try to take over. It’s called, “trust”. <3
Thank you so much for posting these prayers because I was starting to lose hope. My 5 year old is very strong willed and lacks self control but with the help of God and a praying mother his behavior will change. I really appreciate this.
I totally understand!!! Praying for you, mama. <3
Thank God for you! I searched what to pray when you have a strong will child and you popped up. This was it. I give my child the word and sometimes when I’m yelling at and with him he starts calling on Jesus. Now, I feel a release not to try and make him perfect but to love him as he is while praying for his very soul. I always to prayed lord if you give him to me I will give him back to you. Now, I’m think I have been running from God “so that I could fix him first” then give him to God. Not, my job. Lots of changes on my part. Thank you! May God continue to bless you and your family.
I’m so glad you found this article! Yes, I had two strong willed children out of four so I get this!! often I wanted to fix them instead of letting God fix both them and ME!! Praying for you today.
I loved reading this article. Thank you so much for writing it. I am praying these prayers over all of the children in my life. My own kids, my neice and nephew, children I teach and friends of my children. I forget to give them back to God. I tend to feel like I need to fix every problem and help with every little struggle. This was so helpful to take a step back, pray and let God do his thing! You have blessed me and I pray you receive many blessings yourself!
Thank Ritchie for this article! I was up at 3am with a troubled heart because I have a defiant child and I’m raising him with no help so imagine how heavy of a burden that can be not to be able to have help bearing a burden, but God. I will keep these prayers close by and keep praying and seeking God for how to handle my son. I become overwhelmed and I refuse to give up on my son but I don’t want my life to have to come to a haunt because he can’t obey. Parenthood is a blessing and one of life’s greatest challenges! Pray for me please! We will see the other side of this spiritual battle! The devil is a defeated foe!!
THANK YOU for listening to our Lord and sending your prayers for us mothers who are desperate to help our children. And
ourselves.
Tears and cries for help are our everday occurance. It has become a terrifying way of life. We want our children to be happy
kids. And NOT blame ourselves for what is happening.
Each night before I go to sleep I ask Jesus to forgive everything I have said, done or thought that is not according to His word.
And each morning I ask for His peace for the day.