6 War Room Prayers for Your Strong-Willed Child’s Heart

Shepherding a strong-willed child can be a road filled with frustration, tears, and parenting battles.

Personally, I never thought my three-year old would test my patience at every opportunity and we would lock horns at such a young age. And I certainly couldn’t imagine that these issues would continue to plague my home as an eight year old boy (and counting!)

As a ruler follower, raising a stubborn child took me by surprise and I had no idea how to handle him.

Desperate for truth, I turned to the ultimate parenting book, God’s Word, for wisdom and guidance.

I began praying that God would show me the benefits of his strong personality. As a frazzled mom, I fiercely needed direction and for God to show me how to thrive in challenging parenting moments.

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Soon after, my prayers about my son changed. As a result, my reactions to his stubborn heart slowly started to change as well.

Realizing that his powerful personality was part of God’s design, made me more understanding and compassionate. I understood that this same stubborn will would help him boldly lead others well, if he submitted that strong spirit to the Lord.

Parents, your child was created by the One True God and EVERY aspect of him/her went through the Father’s Hands. Your child’s strong personality is not a mistake!

That stubborn streak has a purpose and was part of God’s perfect design.

So in those moments when your patience wears thin and your mom heart is weary, may you find comfort in these five prayers, as you pray God’s beautiful will back to Him.

6 Prayers for the Strong-Willed Child’s Heart

As I’ve wrestled through tough parenting moments, nothing has been more effective than praying bold, war room prayers for my child.

There have been moments when I’ve sobbed on my knees, interceding on behalf of my boy. The Lord has always been faithful to meet me in my brokenness. He’ll do the same for you, friend!

May these prayer prompts help you surrender your own stubborn child before the Lord!

Salvation

When I think about my son’s strong, stubborn ways, it makes me pray for his salvation even more.

As you bring your own child before the Lord, pray that God will save your child at an early age, and allow strong roots of faith to sprout.

Then pray those roots of faith will grow deep with the understanding of Scripture and a true understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross.

Also pray that God’s commands are deeply planted in your child’s heart and may he/she hunger for the things of the Lord.

May your child’s life be forever changed by God’s grace and the strong temperament used for His glory!

Leadership Skills

Looking at the heart of a stubborn child, there is leadership potential already starting to bloom. Sure, it’s not always easy to see the possibilities amid the tantrums and struggles, but it’s there!

Truly, it takes a strong person, one with passionate beliefs, to dig in and defy a parent. (Seriously!)

Pray that God will grow your child’s stubborn ways into leadership skills to impact the Kingdom of God.

May your child learn to rely on the Lord in all aspects of life and for guidance and direction.

Obedience out of Love for the Lord

As much as I would love for my son to obey me, I am more interested in the motive of his obedience.

I pray that God will change his heart and he will be obedient out of love for the Lord, not just because he’s been told to obey.

Pray for obedience because your child loves and wants to keep the commands of the Lord, and not out of obligation.

While this may be a process that takes a lifetime, it’s never too early to claim these principles for your child through fervent prayers.

Wisdom and Self-Control

As you pray for your child, don’t forget to pray for self-control and that God reveal himself to him/her.

As your child grows in stature, may he/she also grow in the knowledge that comes from the Lord and become wise according to His Word.

May that wisdom that comes from knowing and loving God’s commands, yield a spirit filled with self-control.

Pray that the evil one will relinquish his deceitful grasp on your child, and that God’s powerful spirit will change your child at the core.

Impact the World for Christ

As you pray for your child, pray most of all that his/her life will be used for the glory of God.

May that strong, powerful spirit be used to encourage others to seek the Lord and may he/she live a life that glorifies God in actions and in words.

While that strong, stubborn spirit may challenge us parents now, may God mold and shape our children to be salt and light in a darkened world.

For Your Heart as a Mom

And when my boy is grown and gone, may I reflect on these stubborn years not with regret and frustration, but with a full heart, knowing that I did my best to raise a good and faithful servant of the Lord.

Do you have a strong-willed child in your house? How do you pray for him/her and guide the stubborn heart towards the Lord?