My 12yr. old girl and I were discussing prayer on the way to church this past Sun. and she said she's been praying about something. I asked what is it about and she said God will let me know. I asked if it was about me or something. She said Yes. I said well ask me and I'll tell you right now, you don't need to pray about it when I can tell you myself. She came back with, yeah, but God will tell me the truth. I was shocked! I said WHAT? Tell me now and I mean it! She started to cry a little and then stopped before church. I'm very concerned and I prayed during church and I won't stop. Should I make her tell me what it is?
2006-08-29 05:09:33 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. You should butt out. If it's bothering you that much, maybe you should stop and examine your life to see if you've wronged her in some way. If you have, mend your fences with her. Prayer is like the right to vote. You don't have to disclose who you vote for, it's a matter of free choice and personal principles.
2006-08-29 05:15:54 · answer #1 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, do you believe God wants a personal relationship with your daughter? If so, she needs to make her faith her own and not involve other people all the time. I do believe that she should be able to have things that are just between her and God. I'm sure there are things that you do not tell other people but would have no problem telling God. No offense, but maybe she knows better. Maybe she knows that there is no reason for you to know. On the other hand, you are her parent, and you are responsible for her nd what happens to her while she is living with you. It is important for you to ask her what she thinks and what she is praying about, but if she will not tell you or doesn't want to, there is nothing you can do. Tell her that if she ever does want to talk you will be there, but then drop it. There is no way that you can know if a forced answer is really the truth in the first place. Maybe she is a little smarter than you think, and you wouldn't know the answer, but God will. I know I'm dealing with things like that right now, where no person will have the answers. Who knows, maybe she is praying for you, and if she says what it is, then she can't know if God did something or if what she said affected you. I don't know, because there are hundreds of different things that could be going on. Just be there for her, but don't force her. I hope that helps, it was kinda unorganized rambling:)
2006-08-29 08:16:32 · answer #2 · answered by Kiko 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not wrong & YES she should tell you - Remember a 12 year old is not an adult and may not be completely mature in understanding situations...
You also NEED to establish a better relationship with your child and start having more open conversations. If she doesn't feel comfortable telling you about what she prays for, what else is she not comfortable in telling you?
Great... she's praying to God to get the truth from him about you & you are praying to God to ask what she is thinking???
Funny how God tells people certain things: Look at the last 3 things Pat Robertson said that God told him, all bad news - what about that woman who drowned her kids because God told her to...
You need to also find a laid back church it sounds as if you belong to 1 of these radical mega-churches.
2006-08-29 06:47:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember being around that age and having a bit of an attitude about my parents and how we all believed. Let her be. Let her talks with her Father stay between the two of them. He has mysterious ways of working things out.
Just remember you are the best example for her. She's watching even the little things you do. Be secure in what you believe.
Also remember that when you raise up a child in the ways of the Lord.....I've clung to that promise with two children who are 21 and 18 now. I've seen that once they accept Jesus God doesn't let them go. He's their Father and will discipline when needed. They may stray but He'll always love them and be there when they are ready to come back. Once they make the decision to acknowledge Him it seems to become a part of them even when they don't want it to be. The promise is a true promise.
2006-08-29 05:26:52 · answer #4 · answered by kendra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is something about you it should not be too hard to figure out. Most children want their parents to do normal things to better themselves or become healthier. If you are overweight, start exercising. If you smoke, try to stop. If you and your wife/husband argue, mediate your problems in a civil way. I guarantee if you change a bad habit, that is exactly what your daughter is praying for. This will strengthen her faith in both God and yourself. Just put your mind to what your daughter would want you to change.
Do not try to force her to tell you, though. This will just build a barrier between the two of you. And at the age of 12, she is at the threashold of being a young lady. At this point you two need to have complete trust and openness.
Good luck!
2006-08-29 05:17:14 · answer #5 · answered by bc_munkee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I often ask my son what he is praying for. Not because I am nosey about such things, but to make sure that he is praying for the right reasons, not out of greed (you know, "Please God send me the bike that I want") but for the benefit of others.
It sounds like your daughter is praying to God for you, and that she thinks that you will give her the answer you think she wants to hear. Knowing that God will only tell her the truth, she prefers to wait for His answer.
Personally, I think it was wrong of you to go on the defensive (and please, don't take that in the wrong way) the way you did, but it was good that you asked.
Keeping a child on the true path in their prayer is a good thing, but if she is reluctant to mention it to you, perhaps you should trust her a little. The fact that she is praying for someone else, is a good thing.
I wish you peace.
2006-08-29 05:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What if God doesn't answer her prayers? Will that cause problems for her emotionally or spiritually? You need to get her to tell you what is troubling her. You are her parent and you have a responsibility to take action in her life. If you let God "handle" the situation you might as well trust God to raise your child for you. Now, I'm not saying you should force it out of her, but you should sit down and talk to her and make her see why she should tell you her troubles.
2006-08-29 05:19:43 · answer #7 · answered by boukenger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really do not have the right to know that. That is between your child and God. NO you do not have to know what she is praying about. She is a child and she trusts God with her prayer. You dont have to become a bully just because you don't know what she is asking from God. Thats mean.
2006-08-29 05:16:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!! Praying is a personal thing between a person and God. You have no right to disrupt that because you feel the prayers have something to do with you. Leave your daughter alone and let her form her relationship with God.
2006-08-29 05:13:21 · answer #9 · answered by Kiwi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing any other details, I think you've overstepped your bounds a bit. A 12 year old is old enough to have a personal relationship with Christ. That should be between her & God. Respect her a little more. That could be what she's praying about!
2006-08-29 05:20:12 · answer #10 · answered by Char 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋