prayer Archives - Kristina Lunde

April 23, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Children Pray in Worship to God

One of my favorite volunteer activities is helping with childcare for BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) leadership meetings. Last week, three adults watched two babies (four and eight months-old) and ten kids, ages three to seven. Besides encouraging the children’s imagination with lots of free play, we enjoyed song time and a short Bible story. (The Father Abraham song I have known for over fifty years still gets everyone moving and laughing!) We don’t have crafts or long periods of focused time, because that comes afterward in their 1½ hour BSF classes. Of course, we also had snack time, with kids sitting in small chairs at a low table.

As they crunched on bright orange kid crackers, I suddenly realized that we hadn’t prayed. I apologized that I had forgotten to thank God for our snack. Then I asked the kids to pray. Without further prompting, they dropped their beloved crackers and folded their hands. Three of them immediately volunteered to pray. I asked six-year-old K to start, and he prayed seriously and in detail. K thanked God for the day, for being able to play at BSF, and for the crackers.

Then I asked four-year-old S to pray. S kept his head down and his voice soft. We only understood a few words (thank you, God, snack), but his prayer was obviously sincere. I nodded when four-year-old T asked to pray next. Hands covered with bright-colored marks from her previous day’s artwork, T folded them tightly and bowed her head. Like the other two prayers, T’s expression of gratitude to God soared in humble trust.

These precious kids literally dropped everything to spend time with God. I felt like they were leading me in worship as they thanked God for everything. And I mean everything: all three of them listed what they ate, did, and aspects of their play. Their prayers convicted me of my forgetfulness and casual attitude about prayer. They showed me that thanking God for a few crackers can be a powerful act of worship.

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

Lord Jesus, please bless these precious children whose hearts are full of gratitude and love for you. Keep their faith and trust firmly rooted in Jesus, as you grow and guide them throughout their lives. Like their honest gratitude for crackers and playtime, help me to come before you in wonder for all your blessings. Teach me to pray in worship and honor of you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 27, 2024 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Mothers Praying for Prodigals

Several of my empty-nest mom-friends and I have entered a new phase in our prayer lives: praying for prodigal children. At one time, our children knew, loved, and followed Jesus. By the time these children became young adults, they had abandoned the faith of their childhood. As mothers, that inspired us to pray for our children’s return to the God who loves them.

In Luke 15:11-32, the biblical account of the prodigal son, the father waited expectantly for his estranged son to return home. The important detail not recorded is how long the father waited. I know mothers who have prayed and waited decades for their prodigals to return to Jesus. Time spent in prayer is much more productive than wondering and worrying about an estranged child. But I find it difficult to focus on the praying, not the worrying.

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13:1-2

No one consistent reason compels young adults to walk away from their faith. Instead, many aspects of life and longing impact children who once believed in Jesus to become adults who do not. Their journey may involve being distracted from biblical priorities, neglecting connection with Jesus, choosing worldly pursuits, or rebelling against God. Sadly, these adult children no longer value God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, or the truths of God’s Word. And that motivates moms to pray.

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1

Lord God, my child is your prodigal, a runaway from your love and forgiveness. Overcome the spiritual darkness that threatens to suffocate my child. Shine your Holy Spirit’s light of conviction, counsel, and comfort into my child’s life. Lord Jesus, accomplish your saving, redeeming work. Fill my prodigal’s mind with the truth of Jesus Christ, bringing forgiveness and freedom. Let my child once again be grounded in you, God.

Oh Lord, help me to see and listen, not jump in with my own solutions. I repent of what I have done wrong: nagging conversations, mother-smothering, pride-driven meddling, and even wanting to give up. Lord, forgive me for what I have not done: not listened to your leading, not controlled my temper, and not recognized my child’s pain.

After he had squandered his inheritance, the biblical prodigal son came home. Convicted and repentant, the son returned to his father with humility and a willingness to serve. Luke 15:20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” We do not find out how many months or years had transpired. Instead, the Bible focuses on the father’s joyous and loving greeting.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6

Father God, draw my prodigal back to you. You love my child more than I ever could. Convince my child to return to you in honesty and repentance, in order to experience your forgiveness and perfect love. Please help me to be a faithful mother who never stops praying. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

September 30, 2024 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Prayer for Israel

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” Psalm 122:6-7 NIV

Lord God,
I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of Israel. My heart is heavy for a people I don’t know and a place I have never visited. But you know, Lord. These are your people, dear God, who you called through Abraham. You promised to make them into a great nation, bless them, and bless all nations on earth through them. (Genesis 12:2-3).

Lord, next week marks one year after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas militant groups. The militants killed over a thousand people and took hundreds hostage. Although a shock to Israel and the rest of the world, these events are no surprise to you, Lord. Since that horrific day, tens of thousands of people have been killed, many of them civilians. The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. Lord God, please reach these devastated people on both sides of the conflict with your love, truth, and provision.

God, you are sovereign and I pray for your will to be done, even when I don’t understand these tragic events.

But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Psalm 31:14-15

King David prayed these words during battle, and I pray them for your people in their current conflict. Lord, let the people of Israel look to you as their God. Teach them to trust that these times are in your hands. Deliver them from their enemies, from those who attack and pursue them. Unify your people in Israel, unify them in love and zeal for you. As you prophesied through Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10), please send a spirit of grace and supplication on your people. Let them look to you, dear Lord.

I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the protection of Israel. Your will be done, Lord God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

August 30, 2024 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Acrostic Prayer for My Prodigal

Please, Lord God,
Redeem my prodigal.
Open his heart.
Draw him to you.
I pray that he would
Get back to you,
Ask for forgiveness, and
Love you again.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

July 29, 2024 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Vacation Bible School: A Volunteer’s Prayer

Dear Lord God,

I pray that you develop the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of all the children and volunteers during our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer. Bring the content, logistics, volunteers, and children together to fulfill Your purposes for this ministry.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Lord, let Your love fill and direct us as we teach these precious children.

Please inspire everyone involved in VBS to find and express joy in you, dear Jesus.

Let your peace fill our church and the grounds while the children play, craft, and learn the VBS lesson themes.

Give the volunteers patience to meet the needs of these children.

Provide opportunities for us to show kindness and goodness in all interactions with children.

Develop faithfulness in us as we teach and love these children in Your name, dear Jesus.

Guide us in gentleness toward the children, especially when they need to be admonished or redirected.

Work in us self-control, as we teach the children to develop the same in their interactions with others.

Lord God, please grow the fruit of your Spirit in everyone involved in this VBS program. Let all that we do in this ministry bring you honor and glory. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.