Praying For Heaven's Resources

There are times when I pray with parents for their struggling teenage or adult children I hear what seems to be a manipulation of God.  One request after another is full of petitions, asking God to change their behavior.  "Holy Father, I pray that they will repent and surrender their lives to Jesus."  "Father, I pray that they will read your word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit."  It is as though they are trying to control their son or daughter's behavior through a third party, God.  

If I were in a twelve step group with these dear folks I would share out my own experience, strength and hope that I am powerless to change people.  I would go on to say that God does not do anything against someone's will.  But God is a power greater than us.  He offers His heavenly resources to intervene on behalf of those we love as we pray for them.  Prayer is not a manipulation of others through God!  Our prayers may be full of scripture, but if we are asking God to change their behavior we attempting to manipulate them through God.  God will not answer those kinds of prayers.

So what are God's heavenly resources?  The Father sends His angels to minister and protect when we ask.  "Father God, send your angels to protect them." He gives us the ministry of the Holy Spirit who gives revelation and empowers and so much more.  "Father, give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that they may know you better."  The blood of the Lamb is available to redeem from sin.  "Holy Father, redeem them by the blood of the Lamb."  In His present ministry at the right hand of the Father, Jesus defends, perfects and so much more.  "Gracious Father, I pray that Jesus will be the perfecter of their faith as they endure the hardships of life."  The Father sanctifies through the word of truth.  "Father, sanctify them in the truth.  Your word is truth."  The word of God is full of promises the Father wants to fulfill on behalf of those we are praying for.  

These are the requests God wants to answer!  When we pray this way we are not manipulating our children through God!  We are calling on God to be faithful to fulfill His promises.