By Kelsey Scism 
“I guess at least the toddler still likes us,” I joked to my husband. One benefit of raising toddlers and teens at the same time is when the teens are . . . well, being teens, the toddler still looks up at us with his big smile, stumbling on wobbly legs into our arms.
With six kids ranging in age from 1 to 17, we have simultaneously had our foot in every phase of parenting this past year. Being a mom of so many ages at the same time has taught me a lot of things, like how to color-code my Google calendar, how important it is to give each kiddo attention in different ways, how to prioritize family mealtime in the middle of busy schedules, and how to stretch a food budget. But one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from having so many kids in so many phases is how to pray for them. Life with my bigs has taught me how to pray for my littles.
I remember a moment at church not long ago. I was standing for worship, holding the baby in my arms. In my peripheral, I caught a glimpse of his big brother, a teenager. What a unique perspective and gift to be able to see both. I stood there for a second, looking from my infant to my teen and it hit me: I’m holding a teenager. One day (surely before I’m ready), this baby will become that boy.
We have two teens in our house (a boy and a girl), and we’re navigating a new world with them—a world their little siblings will someday enter. When these teens were babies and toddlers and little kids, I prayed for baby, toddler, and little kid things: for the teething pain to subside, for developmental milestones, for their understanding of right and wrong, etc. But with their siblings as babies and toddlers and little kids, I’m learning to pray for big kid things.
When my 8-year-old is dealing with big emotions and crying over little things . . . God, help me build our relationship so she knows she can always come to me with her emotions. Remind her that you created her to feel, but those feelings don’t have to control her. Prepare her heart for the big emotions of her future when my hugs and redirection will no longer be enough.
When my 4-year-old stubbornly refuses to wear the pajamas I’ve picked out . . . God, I know you have big plans for this boy. I know you can use all things for your glory. Please guide His heart and, one day, use this stubbornness to stand up for Truth. Help Him grow into a strong man with a heart that refuses to be swayed by the opinions of others. Help me teach him to build his foundation on you.
When my toddler stumbles and falls as he learns to use his legs . . . God, catch him. Each and every time he falls—into sin, into struggles, into hard situations—please, Lord, catch him. Help him see the ways out of temptation you promise to provide. Give him confidence knowing that your strong and loving arms hem him in. Holy Spirit, convict his heart and teach him to reach out for forgiveness. Remind us both that nothing is beyond your redemption.
When my 11-year-old complains because we won’t let him run around with his friends at a ballgame . . . God help him see the importance of boundaries. Help us to establish the important ones now and give us the wisdom to know when to let go. God, I know there will be times—very soon—when he will have to make his own choices, when we won’t be beside him. Lord, give him the strength to do what is right, give him the courage to be the only one, give him the self-control to say no.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily needs of our kids and the struggles unique to the phase of childhood they’re in. And, yes, we should pray without ceasing in every moment of motherhood. But I also want to remind you it’s never too early to pray over their futures. We—as moms, grandmas, and aunts—have the sweet responsibility of guiding and growing the hearts of the next generation. We don’t have to wait until they’re in the middle of their teen years or young adulthood to pray for the people they will become.
The prayers I speak over my bigs are the same ones I whisper over my littles. And while it might seem silly to speak a teenage prayer over a toddler. It’s not silly to the One hearing my prayers. God holds the whole world in His hands, He holds all of time in His hands, He holds every phase of my children’s lives in His hands—at the same time. He holds on to my prayers too, and I’m trusting He’ll deliver them at just the right time.
by Tracy Gerhardt-Cooper 
by Lindsay Meier 
