Introduction

Did you know you have a powerful tool at your disposal? A tool that can change the lives of your children. A tool that can give you comfort and peace during difficult times that are sure to come in this parenting journey. That tool is PRAYER! As Mark Batterson says, “You’ll never be a perfect parent, but you can be a praying parent.” Amen!
 
As parents of children ranging in ages from 2 to 17, we have spent A LOT of time praying for our kids. But at the same time, we realized there is so much more we want to intentionally and consistently pray for them.
 
That’s why we created  LAUNCH!
 
Why LAUNCH? Miriam-Webster defines LAUNCH as…
To start or set in motion; to release, catapult, send-off; to give a start; to get off to a good start; to spring forward; to enter energetically.
 
We are calling this book LAUNCH because we want to help launch our children into a life of loving God and His Word, trusting His voice, seeking His wisdom, serving Him, seeking Him in temptation, finding refuge in Him in the trials, and following His path for their lives. No matter what age or stage they are in, God is always working. We want to be a part of our kids entering every stage of life full of Truth and on a path that leads to Life! Whether you are in the thick of potty training, or navigating middle school drama, or watching older children facing tough new adult challenges, or anything in between, this book is for you! And while we use the words “parent” and “child”, this book is also for you if you are a praying grandparent, aunt/uncle, mentor, godparent, small group leader, or friend.
 
We created Launch to guide you through a few specific categories of prayers for YOUR children. Here are several ways you may decide to use the book:

• Use the topics and sample prayers as a starting point to intentionally pray for each of your children. It can be as simple as that. Prayer alone is powerful!
• If you want to go a bit further and have something to give your children, consider purchasing a journal to take notes and draft out personal prayers from you to them. You can give it to them someday (when they are leaving for college, getting married, facing a big move or transition, starting a new job, having their own children, etc.). 
• You can also use the prayers and cited Scripture in each section to mark up a Bible to give them at some point. You can highlight and/or underline the Scripture you prayed for them, adding personal notes in the margins or on sticky notes in the pages of the Bible. What a gift it will be for them to have this special Bible full of your prayers to them with associated Scripture highlighted!

 
Within each chapter, we have included some family tips related to the prayer topic. Our desire is for these tips to help imprint truths on your children and help them grow in the foundation of these truths.
 
The LAUNCH page of our website has additional resources as well as a space for you to send us the names of the children you are praying for. We want to join you in praying for them.
 
Know that we are praying for you as you are praying for your child. What a gift it is for these precious children of God to be intentionally and consistently prayed for.
 
With love,
 
Joani & Shannon

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. - Luke 2:52

Opening Prayer

God, thank you for the gift of ___[your child’s name*]____. What an honor and privilege it is to pray for (him/her). 
 
Please help prayer be a constant in our home. Help __________________ develop a powerful prayer life over the years. Let (him/her) seek You in all things.
 
Thank you, God, for partnering with me as I raise __________________. Guide me as I seek to guide (him/her).
 
Show me how to pray for _________________________. Give me wisdom and discernment about what to pray for (him/her) in different seasons and circumstances of (his/her) life. Increase my faith and help me to model a life of prayer and obedience.
 
Plant in me a desire to intentionally and consistently pray for ____________________. Help me to pray for Your will for (him/her) and not my own. Help my will and (his/her) will to be in sync with Yours.
 
In the precious name of Jesus. Amen!
 
 
(*The blanks in all of the prayers are for you to insert your child’s name.)