Today’s guest is someone I’m so glad to have share her story and her ministry on the podcast. Jodie Berndt is the author of the Praying the Scriptures for Your Children series and has impacted so many parents’ prayer lives–including mine! Her book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children, was so impactful for me that I bought one for every close friend and family member with adult children. Jodie shares how she first learned about praying the scriptures for her children at Moms in Prayer and how those prayers were instrumental in changing the mood in her home and changing her children’s lives. She has some creative ways she’s developed to pray for your own kids and I’m planning on implementing a few for my children and even my grandson. I share a little during this episode about how her book influenced me to write a prayer for my daughter’s future husband and how God answered that prayer in an amazing way. Jodie has so much great wisdom and practical tips that I know you’ll be better equipped to pray for your children no matter how old they are.
Scripture References and Quotes from Jodie
“We ask because He tells us to.”
“We tether our prayers to His promises and that’s how we discover His peace and His provision.”
“God’s kindness leads us to repentance.”
When we pray God’s words back to Him, we can be confident that He hears, that His purposes will be accomplished and that what we’re praying lines up with what He wants to do.”
“Coming before Him with a need allows Him to answer it in a way and the timing that He knows best.”
“Ask God to show you how He sees your child and when you’re worried about a character trait and then when you speak, speak to the good things that you see in that child. Not every child can have straight A’s, but every child can have a strong work ethic. So, look for the things in your child that evidence godly character more than worldly accomplishments.”
“Storming the gates of heaven for our children is never an exercise in futility.” – Jim Daly in the foreword of Jodie’s book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children
“Our prayers lay the track down which the locomotive of God’s power can come.” – Watchman Nee
“When we pray, God will either give us what we ask for, or what we would’ve asked for if we knew everything He knows.” – Tim Keller
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalm 46:10
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
… for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. – Philippians 2:13
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. – Luke 18:1
And pray in the Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alret and always keep on praying for all of the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:18
Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? – Romans 2:4
Buy the truth and do not sell it–wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. – Proverbs 23:23-24
Scripture from the prayer Jodie prayed for her daughter, Hillary: Isaiah 62: 2-4
Scripture Jodie prayed for her granddaughter: John 8
Scripture Jodie prayed for her grandson: Isaiah 61:3
Blessing prayer Jodie spoke over listeners is from 2 Thessalonians 2
Resources
You can find Jodie at JodieBerndt.com or on her Instagram at Jodie_Berndt and the children’s prayer hand at Prayer Hands
Jodie talked about learning about praying the scriptures for her children through Moms in Prayer
You can find Jodie’s books Praying the Scriptures for Your Children here
Listen to How to Pray Powerful and Effective Prayers for Your Children with Jodie Berndt
Listen to How a 133-Year-Old House Helped to Heal a Broken Heart with Elise Roper
Listen to Fun and Meaningful Christmas Ideas with Jennifer Deese