Prayer for graduates of all ages
Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“After the earthquake had set fire, the Lord was not in the fire; and the fire whispered gently.” 1 Kings 19:12 niv
Listen or read:
Sitting at my nephew’s high school graduation party and talking to friends and family, I was asked repeatedly. Such a loaded question.
I smiled and answered jokingly. My mother-in-law said, “Her oldest graduate of elementary school will see how dry her eyes are next Friday.” I will definitely shed tears as my eldest son says goodbye to one season of life, but perhaps not the reason I’m most hoping for.
Talk to parents of graduates of all ages, bring your child to the world, to university, or a new school brings mixed emotions. And I’m with them. While parents tackle a variety of emotions in watching their baby grow, the uncertainty of the next stage of life tends to be the most worrying.
For some changes in any form, new jobs, different processes, or different routes evoke anxiety and fear. But I find excitement in the unknown. The same applies to seasonal changes in my child’s life. I love rocking babies, but it was fun to see them embrace independence when they took their first steps. A big, sloppy kiss on the first day of kindergarten warmed my soul, but walking along with the fifth graders was fine to hug them right in the car.
I cling to know what I am certain, so I can embrace the uncertainty of life. I’m simply the admin of my daughter. They belong to the main, not mine. And the tears that stab the corners of my eyes result from regret when I think about all the wasteful opportunities of my youth. I did not fear the Lord or keep the commandments. When I think about the next stage of my girl, I pray that they will not be distracted by what this world has to offer, and instead listen to the quiet ways that the Lord speaks to his children. And not only listen to him, but trust him and follow him.
I love these poems from one king about God’s interaction with the prophet Elijah. Elijah flees for his life and ends up in a cave, where the angel tells him to eat something and take a nap (1 Kings 19:1-7). When Elijah regains his strength and takes rest, the Lord appears to him and tells him to stand on the mountain as His presence is about to pass by. 1 Kings 19:11-13 says that a powerful wind came, but God is not in the wind. After that, an earthquake came, but God was not an earthquake. Then the fire came, but God was not in the fire. Finally, “after the fire whispered gently,” and when Elijah heard this, he pulled his cloak into his face with respect (1 Kings 19:11-13).
As parents, we want to pray. Cry to God and show your children themselves in epic gestures, big moments, or seemingly important ways. Yet, in many cases, God speaks to his children (of all ages) in gentle whispers.
As their daughter is thinking about growing up and graduating from one stage in life to the next, they always hear his whispers in line with the Holy Spirit and pray that he will follow his lead in life. I may not be ready to move on to the next milestone, but I know God is taking care of him. They simply need to hear him.
Let’s pray:
The most elegant and precious, loving father, open up our hearts and hearts to hear your voice. Many distractions and voices compete for your attention. Shut up the noise so we can hear you. Lord, we will lift our sons and daughters up to you. We guide us as parents to live with “open hands” so that we have parents as stewards, not as children’s owners. We can rest in the blessed assurance that you love them more than us, as you are only their creator, Savior, and Sustainer. May we encourage our children to protect you, not only hear your voice speak to their hearts, but also to hear your commands and follow them. And as parents, we help us, do the same in our own lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us when we are willing to submit. Lord, we love you. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Conner Ching
Laura Bailey is an author and biblical teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, embracing eternity here and now, explores how the timeless truths of the Church can help us today live a more peaceful, purposeful and abundant life.
She lives in northern South Carolina with her husband and three young girls. She is the director of the Ministry of Women at her church. Her passion is to teach the Bible to women and equip them to live in an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at the next event or learn more: www.laurarabailey.com Connect via Facebook and Instagram.
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