I Prayed have prayed
Father, command Your angels to protect our children against the senseless violence parents have perpetrated on them. In Jesus’ name.
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Analysis. Last week a mother in Florida killed her two young children in a murder-suicide following a custody battle with her ex-husband. This is the latest in an alarmingly rising number of reports of parents killing their children. Some do it in a fit of anger over behavior. Others claim to hear voices telling them to kill their children. A grievous number of children die from abuse or neglect, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report lists 1,750 fatalities due to abuse or neglect, and 618,000 nonfatal victims. In 77% of these cases, the parents were the perpetrators.

Join others crying out to the Lord day and night.

 

As disturbing as this trend is, in and of itself, even more disturbing is the fact that over half the victims were under 1 year old. Small children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. They are born into families upon whom they depend to protect, feed, and raise them. Parents are the primary educators who, by God’s design, teach them love, life skills, and responsibility. The very last people on earth who should harm children are their parents.

Yet, it is happening. Why?

There are at least two reasons:

  1. Satan hates children, because God loves them: Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away (Matthew 19:13–15 ESV).
    He gave us the right to call ourselves His children and placed a spirit within us that cries “Abba, Father.” The concept of parent-child relationship is inherent in His design for humanity. But Satan hates everything that God loves. For that reason, he attacks our children across a broad front: abusive agendas in school; violence in society; instability of parental relationships; drugs; and inciting parents to commit acts of violence against their children. This is one of many tragic symptoms of these days in which lawlessness abounds as the love of many grows cold (see Matthew 24:12). How much lower can we sink than to witness the love of parents toward their children grow cold and the people children should trust the most commit acts of violence against them?
  2. Satan also knows that children are our future, and he cannot abide that. Again, by God’s design, as people age they are replaced by younger people who are supposed to grow up in stable homes and in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (see Ephesians 6:4). Children raised to learn discipline, love, responsibility, problem solving, conflict resolution, and respect make for a bright future. But children who are the victims of abuse and neglect do not. And parents who abuse their children, or worse, who kill them, rob society of a life formed by God in the womb with the potential to contribute to a brighter future. That is precisely what Satan wants, because he is out to destroy humanity — God’s image bearers. And destroying children — our future — is one of the ways in which Satan seeks to weaken the human race so that he can dominate and ultimately destroy it. This is the same agenda that is behind abortion, child trafficking, child pornography, pedophilia, child indoctrination, teenage gang violence, and every form of destructive agenda now being promoted in the schools. Satan wages war on humanity’s future to weaken it so that people will kneel in worship to him as the false messiah who has ostensibly come to restore order (see Revelation 13:11–13).

Our Prayers Will Make a Difference

It is imperative that we as God’s children — we who are redeemed and adopted into His household — begin praying to the heavenly Father for the children of all humanity. Let’s do this knowing that He cares about the oppressed and abused, especially children. We also know that He has appointed us to pray, that He has chosen to do mighty things through our prayers, and that His Church is the possessor and steward of His design for healthy family life. From that vantage point, we must pray that:

  • God would directly intervene in the lives of children who are abused, neglected, and at risk of being murdered;
  • God would empower His Church to rescue children and to teach and model to the world the principles of wise and godly parenting;
  • the Lord would raise up ministries to rescue children from abuse and to assist parents who suffer from mental and emotional disorders or drug addiction;
  • the government would awaken to the depths of this crisis and provide parenting classes and other forms of assistance and violence prevention to families in need;
  • government officials would turn to the Church in fruitful partnership to address this crisis;
  • many children would turn to Christ and find healing in Him from any abuse, violence, and breach of parental trust.

Let’s pray here and now:

Father, we ask You to free children everywhere from abuse at the hands of parents and other adults — and especially from any abuse brought on by demonic oppression in the lives of the parents. Empower Your Church to be an example of godly parenting and to teach this to the world. Raise up ministries that will provide needy children with a loving, constructive, safe environment. In these last days before Christ’s return, as love grows cold and violence abounds, we ask You to come alongside these who are the most vulnerable, and let them experience Your loving presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Please share this article!

Remco Brommet is a pastor, spiritual-growth teacher, and prayer leader with over 40 years of experience in Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the U.S. He was born and raised in the Netherlands and pastored his first church in Amsterdam. He moved to the U.S. in 1986. He and his wife, Jennifer, live north of Atlanta. When not writing books, he blogs at www.deeperlifeblog.com and assists his wife as a content developer and prayer coordinator for True Identity Ministries. Jennifer and Remco are passionate about bringing people into a deeper relationship with Christ. Photo Credit: AnkNet/Getty Images Signature.

Comments (16) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rochelle
September 9, 2023

It was known before Roe v. Wade was made into law that child abuse increased in countries which had legalized abortion.
Following the movie The Sound of Freedom, a group of women (from several churches) agreed to meet to pray on the four Mondays of August specifically for the children in our community.
We are continuing to agree in prayer every day using a book titled One Minute Prayers to Pray for Your Kids by Michelle Lind and Hope Lyd
Instead of praying for “my child” we modify each prayer to “the children in Chowchilla.“
When we pray at home we know the other women in our group are praying the same prayer that day.
Our town is where the infamous bus kidnapping happened in 1976, so perhaps that makes us more aware or sensitive to the dangers and need for protection for all the children in the community.

5
Beverly Rush
September 8, 2023

Until we save the babies in the womb, by banning abortion nationally, we will continue to see more and more violence against children.
As long as life in the womb is legally expendable, so it will follow that other vulnerable lives are expendable.
As the Church goes so goes the nation. The Church has not been responsible for our national sin through repentance and
reestablishing God’s uncompromised truth. Many Churches are compromised on gay marriage and have bought into the lie of women’s reproductive rights . Woman who want to keep the act of abortion free of impunity.
What does God say? Thou shall not kill. Until we the Church take this stand, God will not stand behind a compromised Church. The victory over abortion is by standing immovable on the Word. That stand only will God will act upon. No born person has the right to discriminate against an unborn life!
Until the Church finishes the Human Rights issue of the unborn and I mean finishes it, the fallout of consequential sins we are seeing befall our children we only get worse. Get involved with abortion law in your state. Look at Texas who has succeeded is making abortion illegal.

How do we the Church care for the least of these? Start at the womb.
Lord Jesus we repent for our compromised hearts and willingness to be irresponsible in setting the true standards of Jesus in our midst and to the lost world. Forgive us and set our hearts towards defending life, the unborn and born, the vulnerable, and the lost. The gold standard for all life. Not one of these little ones should perish least a milestone be hung around the neck of those who harm the children. Forgive us Lord for looking away and being indirectly complict in hurting children. Remove the millstone from our necks and help us end all violence against children from conception to natural death. There will be no national revival without first saving the babies!
Amen

9
NanJohnson
September 7, 2023

Our children are God’s gift to us. We need them to grow up healthy and strong and disciplined and we need to be teaching our children about God and knowing Jesus and getting along with others. Much prayer and action is needed to help these dysfunctional families. Christians arise ! Pray to God about your part in all this, then obey empowered by Holy Spirit. Each of our bits of participation will be molded together by Father God to form His remedy for these children and parents. God has given us the victory already through Christ Jesus our Lord !! We must not remain idly ignoring these crucial situations. If we all do even a small thing, together it will be all that’s needed. Our children are the future of the USA. We must allow God to shake us out of our comfort zone. If the Christians don’t pray and then do what God lays on each person’s heart, we will no longer have a country and we will be disobeying God. Jesus loves the little children and so do we.

10
David Sharp
September 7, 2023

This appears to be an attack on marriage manifesting as an attack on children. I pray that God would restore the institution of marriage as it is directed in the Bible. Additionally, I pray that parents will perform their rolls as listed in the Bible.

9
Mari Williams
September 7, 2023

As abused little children– We didn’t know that what was happening to us was wrong–only that we were being hurt by adults. We didn’t have words–we didn’t know how to express what was happening to us and we didn’t know who to tell–they were all adults–we were just little kids.
I suggest somebody comes up with some t.v. cartoon characters that can provide little children with the words they need to explain why they are unhappy, and demonstrate actions that they can take if they are being abused.

11
    Judy
    September 7, 2023

    That is a good thought, Mari, and might help some children. And hopefully “The System” works and children are helped. I am so sorry for the abuse you suffered and hope Jesus has healed you.

    3
Zoe Ella
September 7, 2023

Any kind of violence against children is horrendous. Children are nowadays vulnerable through both wounded and incapable parents and from our social system, which takes children from parents who are capable and who want to protect children from social abuse. Out entire society seems to be in the grip of anger (even if generated by the events of the last two years and the rapid destructive changes of the past few years) and of violence. The anger and the violence are destructive and spill over to attack children. This feeds the various negative energies which pervade us now and which are coming to feed on our fear, anger and violence. Please pray for a return to Divine love and protection from demonic influences and from the increasing tyranny from politics and government.

6
Paulene Dougherty
September 7, 2023

A few years ago, While researching in fighting the war on innocent family dogs who were being rounded up and killed for nothing more than their appearance. I found an alarming statistic. A chid is 800 times more likely to be killed by a parent or caregiver than by a dog bite.
Ref: Dogs Bite But Balloons And Slippers Are More Dangerous.

2
Ron G Deere
September 7, 2023

Parents should know that children can and will be very trying to the souls of these parents. However, this is minimized through faithful, loving discipline (that especially young children do NOT understand). If a parent has been negligent in teaching his/her children for a few years, then he/she needs to realize that their starting again will be an “up hill” battle that MUST be persisted in.
My wife and I have been in the process of discipline for several decades now and our children all walk (imperfectly) with the Lord in their own families, praise the Lord!!

3
    Judy
    September 7, 2023

    Teaching our children respect for others, discipline and consequences, hopefully in an atmosphere of love, are so important for parents to do, but know that there are some children who are abused by parents who themselves have been abused. These parents know nothing else. Hurt people will hurt people.

    2
Darlene Estlow
September 7, 2023

I join this prayer. Satan wants to destroy our children because he hates what God loves.

4
Jeff Hilton
September 7, 2023

Dear Father, Give us continued vigilance for our children’s souls Father. May You always lead us as parents and guide, guard and protect those who have no parents! In Jesus Name

19
Mary Beth
September 7, 2023

Abba, how blessed we are to be “called the children of God”. Thank You for adopting us. We cry out to You – please save our children, and use us Your church to do whatever you desire to accomplish that. In Isa. 49:15a, the question is asked, “Can a woman forget her child at the breast, not show pity on the child from her womb?”, and the answer sadly is “Yes”. Parents do not always love their children, and often it is because they have not known love from their parents. This generational cycle must be broken, and salvation and deliverance from demonization can do that. The good news is in Isa. 49:15b – “Even if these were to forget, I would not forget you.” You spoke this to Your chosen people, Israel, but it expresses Your heart to all who feel abandoned and forgotten.

25
Peg
September 7, 2023

Dear Father in heaven I lift up these children and their parents and anyone who is responsible to these precious lives, bring revival to them all! Turn them to you, Dear Lord, that they know and find your love and bring up their children to know your ways

22
Jerry Young
September 7, 2023

Father, while Your son Jesus Christ was on Earth, He showed the importance that little children have in Your heart. Father please protect Your children from abusive homes and parents. In addition please protect the unborn from abortions as well. In Jesus Name, Amen!

34
SueB
September 7, 2023

Our children DO need our prayers. I pray that the hearts of the fathers and the hearts of the mothers would be turned toward their children – instead of against them – and that our children would be saved!
And I pray for churches to get involved. We, God’s Ekklesia, need to wake up, stand up, and take action on behalf of our children and the future of our societies.
I do not agree that our government should offer parenting classes. At this point, governments have way over stepped parental authority, way overspend their budgets, and become way woke – in short, the governments are now way TOO big and too powerful. The purpose of government is NOT to provide classes and education. The purpose of governments has stepped way out of line from the original purposes and needs to be reigned in, corrected, and cleansed. And I pray God does that!!
We, the people, need to cry out to God, for His mercy, for our children, families, education system, government, media, arts and entertainment, churches, and our economy, industry, and technology – and don’t forget our utilities (water, electricity, etc.) and our natural resouces.
God help us; we NEED You! Come and save our children! In Jesus’ name.

42

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.