A Prayer Memorial For My Children: Is It Enough?

“My beloved son, I pray for a greater release of God’s grace, love, and total well-being to flow into your life from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! You know that I’ve been called to serve the God of my fathers with a clean conscience. Night and day I pray constantly for you, building a memorial for you with my prayers.”—2 Timothy 1:2-3 (TPT)

Although these words were spoken by the Apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy, when I read them, my spirit stirs for my own children. And I ask myself, Have I built enough of a prayer memorial for them?

I look at families I call Legacy Families—those whose children clearly bear the mark of their parents’ prayers and sacrifices. These children walk with the confidence of the King of Heaven. They carry the scent of the anointing so strongly that when they step into a room, the atmosphere shifts. Oh, what a prayer memorial their parents must have built! The prayers whispered over their cribs, the anointed words spoken over them as they grew, the intercessions that ascended like incense before the throne of God—it all shaped them.

And then, just that quickly, the accuser of the brethren whispers in my ear:

“Your prayer memorial for your children is more like a Happy Meal next to their filet mignon.”

I want to shout, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!” in ole slew foot’s face! Because I did pray. I prayed earnestly. I wept. I fasted. I spoke the Word of God over my children. But if I’m being honest… I do wonder: What if I had prayed more? Fasted more? Exampled even better?

In this season - my sixth decade of life - with my children all grown and now breaking into the great-grandchildren stage, I have been pondering and reflecting deeply on the quality and depth of the memorials I have offered up to my Lord on my children’s behalf.

The Weight of a Parent’s Prayers

Job understood the power of prayer for his children. He offered sacrifices just in case they had sinned against God (Job 1:5). He built a spiritual hedge, standing in the gap as their intercessor. Yet, even with all his prayers, his children were taken in a single day.

It’s a sobering thought.

Our children have free will—they make their own choices, walk their own paths—but as parents, we sow seeds in prayer. And yes, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). But I have learned something in my years of walking with the Lord…

It’s Never Too Late

If you have ever questioned whether you prayed enough, hear me today—it is never too late to start praying more.

I have started praying more for mine, and my youngest is about to turn 42 years old. I’m not done. God’s not done.

The Bible says He will restore what the locust have eaten (Joel 2:25). He is the repairer of the breach (Isaiah 58:12). He can restore and replenish anything—even years we feel we lost.

A Prayer Memorial That Stands

In my mind’s eye, I picture God’s throne room, and there, standing before Him, are Prayer Memorials—each one inscribed with the names of my children. Jeremy. Joshua. Stephanie. Paul.

Those prayers do not disappear. They are collected, remembered, and acted upon in God’s perfect timing.

So today, I choose to build higher, pray deeper, and believe stronger.

What About You?

Have you ever thought about the prayer memorials you’ve built for your children? Are there prayers you wish you had prayed more? Have you seen the fruit of your intercession in their lives?

I’d love to hear from you. Share about your children, your prayer victories, or even the prayers you are still waiting to see answered. Let’s encourage each other—because God is still working.