Praying Parent

Every Christian parent's greatest concern is for their child(ren)'s welfare, especially when it comes to walking with the Lord.  We want our children and grandchildren to experience greater joy in the Lord than we did at their age.  We tend to forget all we had to go through in order to get to the walk of faith we maintain at this time of our lives.  When I came upon this promise, many anxieties (some I didn't even realize existed until then) dissipated as I determined to start praying God's word upon my children as it is contained in this verse and those following it.

In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee. Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall because of thee. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness which is of me, saith Jehovah.

A few weeks ago I was reading the autobiographical conversion experience of Stephen Baldwin - the actor.  In it he talks about how his wife prayed for his salvation every day until one day it hit him that he needed to stop trying to figure God out and simply trust Him.  He received Jesus as Savior and Lord and began to delve into His word.  God has given him a wonderful ministry to youth and he serves Him in it still as he witnesses God's greatness to his brothers and rest of his family.  This pushed a trigger in my spirit that it is time to delve deeper into prayer.  That day I finished up a Bible study I had been working on and went in to grab another to begin.  I have had these studies stacked up ready to go and have simply been pulling out the next one in no particular order.  When I pulled out this one I had to grin.  It was all about praying for our children specifically and branched out from there to others we love and are concerned about.  The following Sunday Brother Kenny (our pastor) went to the podium to explain that he was beginning a new nine week series that day on, you guessed it, prayer.  Coincidence?  As I have said before, I don't believe in them any longer.  God has shown Himself too awesome. 
That was three weeks ago.  Has there been any change?  Yes, in me.  I have a greater desire to pray than ever before.  My body position during prayer has changed, which is unnecessary, but helps me remain focused.  Have I noticed a difference in our children?  I am not around them every day, so I can't say I have, but it just doesn't matter.  I am praying for them in accordance with God's Word and am therefore becoming more and more confident in His ability to perform even this seemingly impossible task.  He is Master of the impossible - the only One capable of turning hearts.  Change has come.....in me.
Father, You have promised that my children will be taught by You personally.  The only way this can happen is if their hearts conform to Your will and I cannot do anything to change anyone's heart.  You however "hold the hearts of kings in Your hands."  (Proverbs 21:1)
They are Your children, therefore You have made them kings (Revelation 1:6) and hold their hearts.  I ask that You would fulfill Your word in them and turn their hearts toward worshiping You once again.  Bring peace to their hearts as You guide them to the fellowship in which You would have them serve and offer worship to Your holy name.  Open their eyes to the futility of striving toward earthly goals, because that bar will continually be raised.  Help them to realize that spiritual goals never change, as You never change, so real joy and peace can come only in doing our best to please You and bring joy to Your Spirit.  AMEN