As you talk to God, you may wonder how to pray for your child with sensory processing disorder or any special need. I want to encourage you to simply talk to God. Pour our your struggles and fears like you were speaking with a friend. The Lord knows your heart anyway but still desires a relationship with you. As we conclude this SPD series, Joyy and I would love to show you some of the specifics we ask for as we approach God about our child with unique needs. If you are new to this SPD series, please start here.
How to Pray for Your Child with Sensory Processing Disorder
From Joyy:
One of my greatest fears when I recognized that my child was different was that he would be ridiculed and be unsuccessful once he reached public school. Our journey began when I noticed that he was eating anything and everything that wasn’t tied down. That led us to an appointment with our Primary Care Doctor and a referral to the Children’s Therapy Unit for an evaluation.
After my son was observed and diagnosed it was a relief to know that I wasn’t crazy and that he had some issues that were legitimate concerns. It was encouraging to be around people, every week, that were experiencing similar situations, on various levels, with their own children. But I also had anxiety about what this diagnosis would mean for him in the future; would it be difficult for him to become a successful adult and live a “normal” life? I had some tears and moved on to how we could get the most out of his therapy sessions, which “tools” were available for him and could accommodate his needs, and supporting him through the challenges that he was experiencing as we transitioned into the unknown.
One of the biggest gifts that we can give to our children is the support of prayer over their lives; their past, present and future. Initially some of the prayers were that children would be kind and that his teacher would be understanding and helpful. But I became convicted that we didn’t need to pray that he would be spared challenges, but that he would prevail in every circumstance that presented itself. My husband and I committed to praying for our son to have the spirit of an OVERCOMER; that whatever challenges would present themselves, whether they were academic, social, physical or spiritual, he would be equipped and empowered to rise above and live victoriously.
Since then we have encountered many different challenges and we have seen that we need to pray for him AND for ourselves! We pray that the Lord would equip us to be the parents that each of our children need us to be. Every child has a different personality, demeanor, strengths and weaknesses, and we need to be able to meet those needs as best we can. We also need to have the support and grace that when we blow it, we can regroup and do better the next time.
In short we have been given the gift of intercession and it has improved our child’s quality of life, as well as our ability to conquer the difficulties we face daily!
How to Pray for Your Child with Sensory Processing Disorder
From Jodi:
Praying for our kids is powerful. I want to talk to God and pray many of these prayers over ALL my children, but these are the things that specifically come to mind for my child that deals with SPD – That this child would:
- have a relationship with Jesus, realizing that He provides us the strength to overcome. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~ Philippians 4:13
- experience God’s grace when there is sin. “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
- learn self control. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
- find beauty, value and faith amidst challenge. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:3-5
- not be overcome with anger. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” ~ James 1:19-20
- use personal experience to have compassion and lighten the load of others. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ~ Galatians 6:2
- embrace how they were made with their own unique gifts and challenges. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ~ Psalm 139:13-14
- to have endurance. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” ~ Hebrews 12:1-2
- to let go over self-centeredness and see the value in what others are thinking and experiencing. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” ~ Philippians 2:3-4
- to hope in the Lord alone. “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” ~ Psalm 62:5
I hope these prayers help you as you walk through life with your sensory processing child. We all face our own unique challenges in life, and through Christ alone can we find freedom, help and strength to face our hardships and overcome.
If You Are Looking for Some More Great Christian Parenting Resources…
* Affiliate links provided for your convenience. Anything you purchase through these links helps to support Meaningful Mama and the free resources I provide. Thank you for choosing to support us.
- How to Pray for Your Children
- The Axis Ministries Parenting Course
- The Power of a Praying Parent
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart
- Bringing Up Boys
- Bringing Up Girls
- Gospel-Centered Family
A Week Series on Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder is obviously complex. There’s no one shoe that fits all solution. That said, there are commonalities found in SPD kids, and we want to provide you with some resources this week.
Here’s what the week is going to look like:
Monday (today) – An Introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder
Tuesday – Sensory Processing and the Heavy Work Activities Solution
Wednesday – Sensory Processing Tools for Children
Thursday – Taking Your Sensory Processing Child to Disneyland
Friday – DIY Mouse Ears for Children with SPD and Autism
Saturday – How to Pray for Your Child with Sensory Processing
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