Skip to content ↓

A Parent’s Prayer for an Unbelieving Child

Being the Answer to Prayer

I have become quite a fan of Kathleen Nielson’s new set of prayer books for parents. Through four short volumes she provides prayers for parents of young children, of teens, of young adults, and of adult children. This prayer is from the volume dedicated to prayers for young adults and asks the Lord to save an unbelieving child.

Break your light upon my child’s heart, O Lord who only said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. You sent your light into this world, a light that shines in darkness and is not ever overcome.

O shine the light of Jesus in his heart, merciful Father, by your Spirit, that my child may believe.

Thank you, sovereign God, that you hold my beloved child in your hand. You always have, and all my efforts—sometimes feeble or foolish, sometimes wise—you know, you use, according to your plan. I know that you are sovereign and that you are good, and so I still my yearning soul before your throne.

In you is life, fully revealed and given in your Son who died for sinners who deserve that death, who rose that sinners who believe might live. Enlarge my heart, I pray, to yearn for many sinners to believe and live.

But now I stop to pray again, and I will pray again, O Lord of life: please shine the light of Jesus in his heart, that my child may believe.


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 31)

    A La Carte: Unpacking “new year, new you” / What the Bible says about divorce / A man at church thinks we should marry / Missing what was not meant to be yours / Growing in your understanding of biblical theology / and more.

  • A Grace-filled Redemptive Gathering

    This week the blog is sponsored by Burke Care. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74 With the year ending, we were recently invited to a small gathering about 30 minutes away from where we live. We met the usual traffic delays getting to…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 30)

    A La Carte: Honor your elderly parents / Retired from resolutions / Why we can’t focus / Be committed to leave a legacy / A broken relationship with dad / Kindle deals / and more.

  • The 2025 Christian Reading Challenge

    The 2025 Christian Reading Challenge

    Do you love to read? Do you want to learn to love to read? Do you enjoy reading books that cross the whole spectrum of topics and genres? Then I’ve coordinated with Visual Theology to create something that may be right up your alley—the 2025 Christian Reading Challenge. Whether you are a light reader or completely…

  • A Partial Christian

    Don’t Be a Partial Christian

    The Bible is a canon, an authoritative collection of one author’s works. In this case, the author is God, and he has given us sixty-six books, each one unique and each one serving a distinct purpose. Each book was inspired by God’s Spirit to reveal God’s mind and unveil God’s plan.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 28)

    A La Carte: The little child who brings a rod / How Christian men act like men / When the growing is slow / Creativity in devotional time with God / What happens when we share the gospel? / and more.