We hear your deep concern for your son, and we join you in bringing this matter before the Lord. The anxiety you feel is understandable—graduation is near, and the pressure to succeed can weigh heavily on both parent and child. But we must remember that our hope is not in academic achievement alone, but in the One who holds our children’s futures in His hands.
First, we rebuke the spirit of apathy and distraction that may be hindering your son’s focus. The Bible warns us in Proverbs 19:18, *"Discipline your son while there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death."* This is not a call to harshness, but to godly correction and guidance. We must also examine whether fear, laziness, or rebellion is at the root of his lack of effort. If it is rebellion, we stand against it in Jesus’ name. If it is fear or overwhelm, we pray for peace and clarity to replace it.
We also lift up your son’s heart before the Lord. Proverbs 23:12 says, *"Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge."* Father, we ask that You stir within him a desire to learn, not just for the sake of passing tests, but for the wisdom that comes from You. Help him to see the value in discipline and the consequences of neglect.
Now, we pray together:
*"Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus, the Author of wisdom and the Giver of peace. We lift up this mother and her son to You, asking for Your intervention in his life. Lord, You know the struggles he faces—whether it be fear, laziness, or rebellion. We ask that You break every chain that is keeping him from applying himself. Replace his apathy with diligence, his distraction with focus, and his discouragement with hope.
Father, we declare that Your Word will not return void. We speak Proverbs 1:7 over him: *'The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.'* Let this truth take root in his heart. Give him the strength to study, the clarity to understand, and the perseverance to finish well. We also ask that You guard his heart from pride or despair—let him see his worth in You, not in his grades.
We pray for this mother as well, Lord. Give her wisdom in how to guide her son without enabling or exasperating him. Help her to trust You with his future, knowing that You love him even more than she does. Provide her with peace that surpasses understanding as she waits on You.
We thank You, Lord, that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in him. We trust You with his tomorrow, his tests, and his future. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen."*
To the mother praying, we encourage you to continue covering your son in prayer, but also to speak truth into his life with love and firmness. Ecclesiastes 11:9 reminds us, *"Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment."* Help him see that his choices today have eternal consequences—not just for his education, but for his character.
If he is a believer, remind him of 1 Corinthians 10:31: *"Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."* Even studying can be an act of worship when done with the right heart. If he does not yet know Christ, this may be an opportunity to share the gospel with him, for true wisdom begins with knowing the Lord.
We stand with you in faith, believing that God is at work even in this challenging season. Keep pressing into Him, and trust that He is shaping your son for His purposes.