The Power of Prayer in Our Children’s Lives

By

 As a mother, especially one married to a pastor, I’ve learned that my most powerful tool is prayer. My husband and I have been blessed with a beautiful son who has autism. He is a unique and wonderful gift from God, but like many parents who walk this journey, we face challenges that often feel overwhelming. I want to share our story and offer some hope and encouragement, particularly for those of you who are raising a child with special needs.

When our son was first diagnosed with autism, my heart was heavy. I worried about his future—his schooling, his ability to make friends, his understanding of the world around him, and most importantly, his relationship with God. It’s easy to feel alone when you’re facing such challenges, but I quickly realized that I’m never truly alone. The Lord is always with us, and He listens to our prayers.

Every morning before our son goes to school, I pray for him. I pray for his teachers, that they will have patience and understanding. I pray for his classmates, that they will see him as a friend. I pray for the school environment, that it will be a place of safety and growth. These prayers are my way of surrendering my worries to God, trusting that He will provide what our son needs each day.

Praying for Relationships

One of the hardest parts of raising a child with autism is watching them struggle with relationships. Making friends isn’t easy for our son, and there are days when my heart aches for him. But I’ve learned to pray specifically for his relationships. I pray that God will bring people into his life who will love and accept him just as he is. I also pray for wisdom, that we as his parents will know how to guide him in developing healthy relationships.

Here's a previous post about our 👉 Autism journey

And you know what? God has been faithful. He has placed people in our son’s life who have become his friends, who understand him and support him. These relationships are answers to our prayers, and they remind me that God cares deeply about every aspect of our children’s lives.

Praying for Salvation

As a mother, my deepest desire is for my son to know Jesus personally. Autism can sometimes make it difficult for him to understand abstract concepts, but I believe with all my heart that God’s love transcends all barriers. I pray daily for my son’s salvation, that the Holy Spirit will work in his heart and mind, revealing the truth of the Gospel in a way that he can grasp.

This prayer is ongoing, and I trust in God’s perfect timing. I hold on to the promise that God loves my son even more than I do, and that He is drawing him close.

Offering Hope to Fellow Moms/Parents

If you are a mother raising a child with special needs, I want you to know that you are not alone. The journey can be difficult, but there is hope. God is with you, and He hears every prayer you utter for your child. Your prayers are powerful. They are a direct connection to the One who created your child and has a plan for his or her life.

I encourage you to keep praying, even when it’s hard. Pray for your child’s school, for their relationships, for their environment, and most importantly, for their salvation. Trust that God is at work, even when you can’t see it.

Our children are precious gifts from God, and He has entrusted us with their care. As we lift them up in prayer, we can rest in the assurance that God’s love and grace are more than enough to meet every need. May you find peace and strength in your prayers, and may God bless you and your child abundantly.

7 Prayers for our sons in the spectrum

As a mother, navigating the journey of raising a child with autism can be a path filled with unique challenges, uncertainties, and moments of profound love. I understand the weight of these trials, the depth of these joys, and the importance of seeking solace and strength in the power of prayer. I got inspired to a blogpost here 👉Ajoyfueledjourney

Today, I want to share with you my reflections and prayers as we raise our son David with autism, and how prayer has been a steadfast companion in our family of three journey. These prayers are applicable for a week 💕😍 It's best doing this while or before sending them to school. 

Day 1 Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Heavenly Father, I thank You for fearfully and wonderfully creating my son. I pray that he may always know and feel the depth of Your love and the beauty of Your craftsmanship in him. Help him to embrace his uniqueness and find strength in knowing that he is perfectly made in Your image.

Day 2 Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Lord, in moments of fear and uncertainty, I pray for Your comforting presence to surround my son. Strengthen him with Your power and uphold him with Your righteous right hand. Help him to face each day with courage, knowing that You are with him every step of the way.

Day 3 Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Gracious God, I trust in Your divine plans for my son. May he find hope and a bright future in Your guidance. Grant him the strength to overcome challenges and the faith to walk confidently in the path You have set before him.

Day 4 Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Lord, ease any anxieties that may burden my son's heart. Teach him to turn to You in prayer and to find peace in Your presence. Guard his mind and heart with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, filling him with tranquility and assurance in Your love.

Day 5 Matthew 19:14 "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

Jesus, I bring my son to You, just as You welcomed the little children. Embrace him with Your love and grace. May he experience the purity and innocence of Your kingdom, finding comfort and belonging in Your arms.

Day 6 Psalm 34:17-18 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Heavenly Father, hear my cries for my son. Deliver him from any troubles he may face and draw near to him in his moments of distress. Comfort him when he feels brokenhearted and lift him up when he is crushed in spirit.

Day 7 Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."

Lord, I thank You for the gift of my son. Every time I remember him, I am filled with gratitude for the joy he brings into my life. Bless him abundantly, guide him with Your wisdom, and surround him with Your love always.

May these prayers serve as a heartfelt expression of our love and faith for our children, encompassing the promises and assurances found in these scripture verses. Trust in God's grace and provision as you lift our children up in prayer, knowing that they are held in the palm of the Almighty's hand.

Love from Cambodia!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's the truth?

By
Image
What a rainy morning we have in Phnom Penh today 🙏😉.  Has summer ended in Cambodia already? As a plant lover, I do rejoice about it! It's about time to experience some rain shower 😍 While on a tuktuk today, I pondered on this verse in Colossians 1:13 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. "  It is a great reminder that we have been saved through Jesus’ - His death and resurrection made it happened. God has saved us from darkness and evil, and we should be grateful for being citizens of His kingdom. Our freedom comes from Him, who can change our circumstances. Over dinner last night. our David has again asked a question, I think this is still in reference to our previous conversation a few nights ago but this time, he has included his dad 😅✌👉  David's lamentations ***While eating... David: Mom, will I go to heaven with dad someday? Mom: David, do y...
Read more

How to Cook Khmer Nom banh chok?

By
Image
Last week, I blogged about a Filipino dish 👉 "Tinolang Manok" - my comfort food.  Today, I also would like to feature a special Khmer noodle that I have loved eating ever since I stepped my foot in Cambodia. Vandy and I have already tried several versions of this noodle dish. Each place/province or homes have their own take on making it. The ingredients and technique vary from household for sure. We love eating it in my husband's hometown Kampong Cham. My in-laws prepare it with love. This noodle is not only popular during the holidays and festivals, but also being served for important events in the country. I wish to be able to make it, but I believe it would be a long time for me to even replicate what my in-laws are making. I have watched and helped them make it but it's just too complicated for me haha! Kunthea, my sister-in-law who is living with us made Nom Banh Chok last month. Here's a recipe for how she made it. But I would want you to know some importa...
Read more

5 Steps to Effectively Share the Gospel

By
Image
My husband is praying to win another soul for Christ in our neighborhood. We are grateful to be living in a "Borey" (community in Khmer) where there is a Park. We love walking and exercising at our park. Vandy would be exercising in the early morning there, he would wait for the sun (natural Vitamin D!). It so happened that some new faces would come and exercise as well. On some weekends, my husband has had the opportunity to walk and talk to an elder man while walking on the park. Vandy is an introverted person, it's a struggle for him to even start a conversation, but one thing I like about him is that he is a good listener. And because of that, the elder man is so happy to have conversations with him. He found out that he was a government retiree. They have lots of topics as they walk in the park from politics, family down to health. Vandy is very persistent in listening and is waiting for the opportunity for him to speak. My husband knew it would take a while for the...
Read more

Hosting at home

By
Image
Ms. Allyn was my former boss (World Hope Org), speaking life to me as a future bride to Vandy in 2009 . She gifted us with a rice cooker, which, up to now, is being used for the church monthly potluck! Cool, right? I’ve always believed that hospitality is more than opening the doors of our homes, it’s opening the doors of our hearts. Here in Phnom Penh, where life buzzes with the noise of traffic and the rhythm of daily routines, God gives us moments that remind us of His quiet glory through friendships, food, stories, and smiles. Just like Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands,” our little acts of love and fellowship can also speak loudly of His presence and goodness. And sometimes, it happens over shared meals, in homes where stories are retold, prayers whispered, and hearts encouraged. A Full Circle of Kindness More than ten years ago, I was a young single missionary based in Kratie province . Whenever I would travel to ...
Read more

7 Scripture Prayers for Our Children on the Spectrum

By
Image
Twelve years ago, God gifted us with a beautiful baby boy David. Last Saturday (June 7th), he’s officially 12.  Almost a teenager. It feels surreal. I still remember cradling him in my arms, marveling at the miracle we had waited and prayed for. His sweet smile, chubby cheeks, and joyful eyes gave us warmth even during our most uncertain days. He was and still is our ray of sunshine. Coming home from work each day to his big hugs and excited squeals has always been the highlight of our day. Whether I had a long day at the university or Vandy, my husband, had just returned from a week in the provinces doing mission work, seeing David run toward us always made everything worthwhile. But something in me shifted this year. He’s growing up. Yes, he still needs us, but differently. He now prepares his own school uniforms, picks out the color of sets he wants to wear, and tells us his food preferences. He has opinions. He voices them. He has feelings and thoughts he wants to express. And ...
Read more

Do you have a missionary calling?

By
Image
Phnom Penh City at night (view from the Ferry ride) My missionary calling started some decades back in my country (the Philippines). I would be trekking and ministering around to the tribal community with my mission classmates at (ACM) Asian Center for Missions .  These mission travels have given me much clarity about God's calling for me to become a missionary.  I vividly remembered; my last tribal mission was in Davao - the Matigsalug tribe. It was an extra wonderful experience that even sealed my faith journey. God has impressed me that His name will be exalted among the nations! (and I should look for ways to serve and be a part of it!). We trekked for the whole day to the mountains and streams to reach a local community. It was exhausting but truly worth it trek! I was glad I was able to write this post in 2007 👉  Missions to Matigsalug Tribe .  Months after that tribal trip, I began my mission journey here in Cambodia. As a single missionary, I joyfully took t...
Read more