We join with you in lifting up your son before the Lord, knowing that God’s Word calls us to train up children in the way they should go, so that even when they are old, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). It is clear you carry a deep burden for his future, and we share that burden with you, trusting in the Lord’s power to redirect his heart and mind toward wisdom and purpose.
The distractions of gaming and the false security of minimum-wage work are real struggles for many young people today. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and one of his tactics is to lure young minds into temporary pleasures that rob them of their God-given potential. The Scriptures warn us, *"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love is not in him"* (1 John 2:15). Gaming, when it becomes an idol or a hindrance to responsibility, falls into this category—it can dull the mind, waste precious time, and replace godly ambition with empty pursuits.
As for the idea that minimum wage can sustain him, we must pray for his eyes to be opened to the truth. The Bible teaches us to plan and work diligently: *"The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty"* (Proverbs 21:5). Without education, his opportunities will indeed be limited, and the cost of living will only grow heavier with time. We must pray that the Holy Spirit convicts him of this reality and stirs in him a hunger for something greater—something that aligns with God’s will for his life.
Education is a tool that God can use mightily, but it must be pursued with the right heart. We pray that your son will see his studies not just as a means to an end, but as a way to steward the gifts and intellect God has given him. *"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men"* (Colossians 3:23). Whether he becomes a laborer, a scholar, or a professional, his ultimate calling is to glorify God in all things. High school and university are not just about worldly success—they are about preparing him to serve the Lord with excellence in whatever field he enters.
We also recognize that this battle is not just against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). We must pray for his heart to be softened, for his mind to be renewed (Romans 12:2), and for the Lord to place godly influences in his life—mentors, teachers, or friends who will encourage him toward righteousness and wisdom. If he is not walking closely with the Lord, we pray that this season will draw him into a deeper relationship with Christ, where he finds his true identity and purpose.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, lifting up this young man who is at a crossroads. Lord, You know his heart, his struggles, and the distractions that have taken hold of his time and focus. We ask that You break the power of gaming over his mind and replace it with a passion for learning and a vision for his future. Convict him, Holy Spirit, of the temporary nature of these distractions and the eternal value of stewarding his time wisely.
Father, open his eyes to the reality of the world—show him that minimum wage cannot sustain him, that without education, his path will be unnecessarily difficult. Give him wisdom to see beyond the present moment and to understand the long-term consequences of his choices. Stir in him a hunger for knowledge, not for worldly success alone, but for the ability to serve You well in whatever calling You have for him.
Lord, we pray that You would surround him with godly influences—people who will speak truth into his life and encourage him to pursue Your will. If he has strayed from You, draw him back, Lord. Let this season be one where he encounters You in a real and transformative way. Give him a heart that seeks first Your kingdom and Your righteousness (Matthew 6:33), trusting that all other things will be added unto him.
We also lift up this mother who carries such a burden for her son. Strengthen her, Lord, and give her the words to speak to him with love and truth. Let her be an instrument of Your peace and wisdom in his life. Help her to trust You with his future, knowing that You hold him in the palm of Your hand.
Father, we rebuke the spirit of laziness, distraction, and short-sightedness that has taken hold. We declare that this young man is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and that You have a plan and a purpose for his life (Jeremiah 29:11). Break every chain that binds him to unproductive habits and replace them with discipline, focus, and a heart that desires to honor You.
We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). May Your will be done in his life, and may he walk in the fullness of what You have called him to be. Amen.
Finally, we encourage you to continue speaking truth into his life with both grace and firmness. Share Scripture with him, remind him of God’s promises, and set boundaries where necessary—especially regarding gaming and work. Let him see the love behind your concern, but do not shy away from hard conversations. The Lord is with you in this, and He is faithful to complete the work He has started (Philippians 1:6).
If your son does not know the Lord personally, we urge you to share the Gospel with him. Remind him that true life is found in Christ alone, and that without Him, even academic success means nothing (Mark 8:36). Pray that the Holy Spirit would draw him into a saving relationship with Jesus, for that is the greatest foundation he could ever have.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
