Run-a-way, seemingly a way of escape. Devastated, hurt and worried when our children, adolescences and teens decide to run-a-way from home. We all have been impacted by a loved one, neighbor, others and/or reports of missing children. Children through teens run due to rebellion, unloved feelings at home, neglect, physical and mental abuse. More reasons due to verbal and physical fights among siblings and parents.
This population is constantly told to “Abide by the rules or get out.” Other reasons are: death of a mother or father, mental health issues like depression and sadness; peer pressure, vulnerabilities, the internet, tricked and/or enticed to leave home by the enemy. Thinking the “Pastures are greener” or life will be better outside of the home. Most times our little and big young people are unaware of the enemy’s scheme. As parents, like-parents and caregivers we have huge responsibilities in raising our children, grands and helping others to raise theirs’. First Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (destroy).”
Let us not forget the plight of foster children experiencing all sorts of abandonment issues. Everyone does not initially get the opportunity of placement in foster care. Some parents for whatever reasons leave the minor with relatives not so capable. Then that young person feels must “Do what they have to do” to survive as abandoned and too often left homeless. Supported documentation from KidsHealth.org, the CDC.gov & my experiences in working with families, children/youth in foster care..
We are encouraged to pray. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ”LET US PRAY!
O Heavenly Father, we honor and praise Your Holy name. Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.” Then LORD Psalm 148 tells us of Your creation which is everything and everything should praise You. So LORD we praise You not just because we are commanded to but, we praise You because You are worthy to be praise. We praise You for Your loving kindness towards us. We praise You for choosing us, ordering our steps, guarding our hearts, regulating and renewing our minds, keeping us sane and hopeful during times of trouble. We are Yours’ LORD and You are ours’. Let us be on one accord in praising Your Holy name at home, church, community, jail and/or wherever we are in Your Presence let our praise saturate the atmosphere like a sweet smelling aroma to Your nostrils (2 Corinthians 2:15).
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.” First John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Asking our Father to forgive you, me and all those praying for children to teens including parents, like parents, biological parents, foster parents and all caregivers of all sins committed knowingly and unknowingly. Forgive those for acts of iniquities (wickedness) meanness, lying and schemes causing confusion, division and anger. Forgive those for putting down and making our kids feel worthless, leading them to attain esteem to feel good about themselves through fighting behaviors, destructive peer associations and gangs. Resulting to negative, self-harm and detrimental realities.
Thanks for Jesus-the Son’s compassion in saying “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” We were not there when “They” were gambling for Jesus’ garments. But we were present at the scenes of our wrongdoing. Thanks again LORD for cleansing us from all unrighteousness. Now help us to forgive ourselves for the things we have done and said to hurt our young children and older children. Let us forgive ourselves for putting self before the children. Let me/us forgive self for not knowing how to be a parent or so deep in domestic violence for the love of that man—letting my children go to the State or maybe feeling no choice since he was paying all the bills.
Forgive me and others for being the perpetrator of physical, mental and/or sexual abuse. Help me and others O LORD as the victim. Show me/us how to love and forgive. Show me/us how to love my child even though rejection after rejection from them. Show me, show us how to be patient and not to rescind or take away my love from them because of how things look or how they respond. Mend my and all broken hearts, crushed spirits causing us to feel “What’s the use.”
O Father there is so much. And You know all things. Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah LORD God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee: I/we cast every care, situation, problem, worry, mental health condition, sickness and disease on You. because You care. Let nothing stand between You and me/us in hearing and granting this prayer.
Now LORD many of the children are innocent. Children are born into broken homes or for whatever reasons the home life changes many times for the worst that becomes the norm. So we pray for those who cannot defend themselves. We pray for those in situations where no one is listening. LORD come to the defense and rescue those that are defenseless. Your rescue is greater than a defense attorney. Come to the rescue of those that are not heard. You are a God that listens, hears and love the children. Mark 10:13-16 “And they brough young children to Him [Jesus], that He should touch them: and His disciples those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. An He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.”
LORD You know all things and nothing, I/we mean nothing is hidden from You. You know the end before the beginning. You are the First and the Last. So LORD we pray this prayer for the children from the youngest to the oldest. O God, heal them on this side of life from their pain. Heal them from the abuse of all sorts, from physical, emotional, verbal and mental stresses. Heal their broken hearts, bones, other bruises, aches and pain. We cry-out for the needs of all our children to teens. Those who have been abandon and homeless to fend for themselves.
Continuing to pray for all children from the youngest to the oldest. Praying for the forgiveness of their sins, iniquities (evilness) lies, schemes to get out the house, running away and engaging in sexual behaviors causing loved ones sleepless nights. We pray for those with addictions to include alcohol, vaping/smoking liquid solution for flavor and pleasurable feelings. Many are unaware the solution contains nicotine. Vaping is thought to be a gateway or lead to a stronger pleasure like cigarettes, marijuana and/or alcohol (National Institute on Drug Research).
LORD, You created them for Your purpose. First Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? Know ye/children not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost/Spirit which is in you, which ye/children have of God, and ye/children are not your own? For ye/children are bought with a price (Jesus’ blood): therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Forgive them O God as their bodies and many of our bodies are unclean. Give all of Your children a way of escape, wisdom, self-control and discernment to do that which is right, good and pleases You.
Giving You, LORD all the thanks that Your children of all ages knowingly and unknowing present their bodies to You as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to You. Thanks Your children are not crowd pleasers nor ashamed of doing what is right unto You. We declare godly management of their and our body, soul and spirit as they mature in Your Word. Their life experiences and challenges shall not hinder their success in You. Their ability to grow in You with an immoveable stance empowered by Christ’s “Finished work” on the cross.
I/we pray and thank You that all children are chosen by You for “Good works” from the youngest to the oldest. Despite life challenges and how things may look. I/we decree and declare that every child realizes they are Your elect-chosen for “Good works.” Jeremiah 29:11kjv “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11niv says it this way, “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.”
We pray and declare they are believers in Christ. As believers and those to come are adopted into Your family as sons and daughters. We declare no weapons of past or current hurts, pains and frustrations shall overtake them. We thank You, LORD all the children’s hearts from young to old are open for what You have in store for them (Pray and make personal the Heart Scriptures below).
LORD You know all things and nothing, I/we mean nothing is hidden from You. You know the end before the beginning. You are the First and the Last. So LORD we pray this prayer for the children from the youngest to the oldest. O God, heal them on this side of life from their pain. Heal them from the abuse of all sorts, from physical, emotional, verbal and mental stresses. Heal their broken hearts, bones, other bruises, aches and pain. We cry-out for the needs of all our children to teens. Those who have been abandon to fend for themselves, those that are homeless, those with addictive behaviors to include alcohol, vaping, other drugs and sex that alters their thoughts and behaviors which are not for their good. The Heart, Forgiveness and Love Scriptures supports our Prayer. Let us prayer these scriptures fervently.
HEART SCRIPTURES
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me Proverbs 3:5-6 ”Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths Psalm. 37:4 ”Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Second Thessalonians 3:3 “But the LORD is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
FORGIVENESS SCRIPTURES
Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Mark 11:25 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Luke 17:4 “And if he sin against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” First John 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.” Ephesians 1:17 “In Him we have redemption (Restoration, Salvation) through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” First John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
LOVE SCRIPTURES
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Roman 5:8 “But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” First John 3:28 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” John 15:12 “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
Thanks LORD for all the children and parents/caregivers reconciliation. They forgive each other. I/we declare even through the ups/downs our children to teens including the parents/caregivers let nothing separate their love for one another like the love we have for Christ. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” .
Then LORD put godly people in place to help our children to teens and parents/caregivers relationships grow and continue to grow in love, peace, unity, forgiveness and understanding. In addition LORD let not your parents/caregivers hesitate to seek professional mental health services/support where it has been recommended.
We pray the children to teens and parents/caregivers that have already confessed You as their LORD and Savior continue to increase their faith in You through fellowship with other believers, the teaching of Your Word, increase prayer life; as well as reading, studying and mediating on Your Word. Thanks LORD that Your Light shines in the life of our parents/caregivers, children to teens. Your Light of peace, love, good communication, patience, unity, self-control and the spirit of discernment to know what-when and how to say and do—that which is needed. I/we pray for those who have not yet confessed You as their LORD and Savior. We pray for those that are at a crossroad and don’t know what to do. It is suggested to read the Gospel of John. And know without a doubt that God is love and He Loves you!
Thanks LORD for giving us the heart to pray for all run-a-ways and abandoned children from young to teens, those who are still going through, the plight of foster children, prayers parents, those that are like parents, caregivers, foster parents and others that have been significantly impacted. Not only thankful for giving us the heart to pray but, to know without a doubt and with an assurance that You are a God who hears, listens and answer. Thank You, LORD for Who You are and Whose we are. In Your, Son Jesus’ Name, We Pray, Amen, Amen, Amen!
