We join you in lifting up the patriarchal and matriarchal figures in our lives, honoring them as Scripture commands. The Word tells us, *"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. āHonor your father and mother,ā which is the first commandment with a promise: āthat it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.ā"* (Ephesians 6:1-3 WEB). This honor extends beyond mere wordsāit is a heart posture that seeks their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
Father, we pray for our parents and elders, asking that You would bless them with robust health, safety, and vitality. May they prosper in all things, just as their souls prosper, as Your Word declares: *"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."* (3 John 1:2 WEB). Strengthen them in body, mind, and spirit, shielding them from sickness, injury, and the schemes of the enemy. Guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, that they may walk in peace and security.
We also pray for their spiritual growth, that they would deepen in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18 WEB). Father, open the eyes of their understanding, granting them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You (Ephesians 1:17-18 WEB). Root and ground them in love, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, and that they may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19 WEB). May they crave the pure milk of Your Word (1 Peter 2:2 WEB) and move beyond the elementary principles into maturity, no longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Hebrews 5:12-6:3 WEB). Let Your Word become flesh in their lives, transforming them into doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22 WEB).
Lord, we ask that You would establish them in the foundational doctrines of the faithārepentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2 WEB). May they grow up into the fullness of Christ, bearing the fruit of the Spiritālove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 WEB). Let their lives overflow with love that abounds more and more in knowledge and discernment (Philippians 1:9-11 WEB), so that they may walk worthy of You, fully pleasing You in every good work (Colossians 1:10 WEB).
We rebuke every scheme of the evil one aimed at our parents and elders. Deliver them from temptation and evil (Matthew 6:13 WEB), and restrain every unruly or wicked person who seeks to harm them (2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 WEB). Even as they extend love to difficult neighbors, as You command (Luke 6:27 WEB), protect them from harm and grant them peace within their homes (Psalm 122:7 WEB). Sanctify them in Your truth, for Your Word is truth (John 17:17 WEB), and keep them from the evil one while they remain in the world (John 17:15 WEB).
Father, we also lift up the peace of Jerusalem, praying for the shalom of Your holy city (Psalm 122:6 WEB). May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and may Your kingdom come in fullness. We thank You for the privilege of interceding for our parents and elders, and we ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Blessing and Honor of Patriarchal and Matriarchal Figures... Father, thank You for grace to honor our parents, Eph 6:1-2, 3 -- Grace to pray for their safety, health and well being, 3 Jn 1:2, and for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 2 Pet 3:18. Help them be established in the elementary principles of the Word of God, Heb 5:12, the foundational doctrines of the faith, Heb 6:1-2, 3, and grow up into maturity, Eph 4:15, Col 1:10, culminating in love and fullness of the Holy Spirit's fruit, Phil 1:9-10, 11; Gal 5:22-23. Open the eyes of their understanding with wisdom and revelation, Eph 1:17-18, strengthen them by rooting them and grounding them in love, that Christ dwells in their hearts by faith, Eph 3:16-17, 18, 19, and open their minds to not only crave the sincere milk of the Word, 1 Peter 2:2, but understand it, Luke 24:45, and let the Word become flesh, John 1:14, James, receiving and retaining the word of God, being effectual doers, not merely hearers, James 1:21-22. May this result in abiding communion and bear fruit of disciples, answered prayer and their joy, John 15:7-8. Keep them from hurt, harm, injury, sickness, sin and satan, Matt 6:13, and rebuke and restrain evil people and the evil one, 2 Thes 3:2-3, especially their unruly neighbor they pray for and endeavor to love, Lk 6:27. Grant peace to be within their walls, Ps 122:7, even as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps 122:6, take us not out of the world, but keep us from the evil one, John 17:15, as You sanctify them in the truth of Your Word, John 17:17, Eph 5:26. Thank You and you all in Jesus' Name!
