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A few weeks ago, I went to the local health department to receive my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. I had a hard time fighting back tears when I handed the nurse my papers. “Do a lot of people cry?” I asked.
“You have no idea,” she said. “There are older people who sit here and weep. It’s been such a hard and lonely year for them, and they’re just so excited to hug their kids and grandkids again.”
She was right—it’s been an incredibly lonely year, especially for the older population. But in reality, the pandemic exacerbated an issue that was already there. In 2018, the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation conducted a survey and found that more than one-third of adults 45 and older reported feeling lonely. That number increased to 43% for those who were over 60.
If you’re an adult child, chances are that your parents may be among those who are feeling the ache of loneliness right now. There are lots of ways to come alongside them and help them feel less lonely—calling them regularly, sending a note, and dropping off a meal can be tangible expressions of love for sure. But there are times when even our kindest gestures can’t fill the void of loneliness, and the best thing we can do for our parents is to turn to the only one who can.
To help you intercede for your parents when they’re feeling lonely, here are five prayer prompts based on Psalm 25 v 14-18:
Heavenly Father, when my parents feel alone, please grant them...
1. Friendship
“The Lord confides in those who fear him” (Psalm 25 v 14).
Why might your parents be feeling lonely? Perhaps they’re far from loved ones, living alone, sick in a hospital bed, missing old friends, estranged from family, or unable to keep up with conversations like they used to. Pray that God would be a faithful friend to them in the midst of their loneliness.
2. Grace
“Turn to me and be gracious to me” (Psalm 25 v 16).
People may turn away from us, but God graciously turns toward his children. Pray that your mom and dad would grasp the depth of God’s love toward them and receive it with grateful hearts. Thank him for being gracious to you too.
3. Comfort
“For I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25 v 16).
David first spoke these words, but they were fulfilled in King Jesus who was despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. Pray that your parents would find comfort in Christ and draw near to God through him. Ask your heavenly Father to reveal how you might also be a comfort to your parents in their loneliness; pray for strength to love them well.
"What a privilege we have to intercede for our parents before the throne of grace, where lonely hearts can find friendship, comfort, and mercy in Christ."
4. Relief
“Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish” (Psalm 25 v 17).
Loneliness can take a toll on our hearts and minds—causing us to believe Satan’s lies or doubt God’s love for us. Pray that God would free your parents from any anxiety or anguish they may be experiencing and that they would cast their cares upon the Lord.
5. Mercy
“Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins” (Psalm 25 v 18).
Sometimes we bring isolation upon ourselves through the choices we make. Pray that the Spirit would convict your parents of any sinful patterns that may be contributing to their loneliness and prompt them to seek forgiveness from God and others. If your parents have sinned toward you, ask God to give you a posture of humility and mercy toward them so that you’re ready to forgive as Christ has forgiven you.
What a privilege we have to intercede for our parents before the throne of grace, where lonely hearts can find friendship, comfort, and mercy in Christ. When we pray in line with God’s priorities as found in his word, our prayers are powerful—they really do change things! May God meet your parents in their loneliness, and may he bless you all as you seek to honor them through prayer.
This post is adapted from an excerpt of the book 5 Things to Pray for Your Parents by Chelsea Stanley. This little book will help you pray more rich, intentional prayers for your parents using Scripture as your guide.
Chelsea Stanley is a child of God, wife, and mother of three young boys. She is a member of Crossway Community Church in Bristol, Wisconsin where she serves with the women’s ministry team. Chelsea has written for Desiring God, Risen Motherhood, and The Gospel Coalition, and she loves helping adult children apply the truth of the gospel to their parental relationships. Connect with her on Instagram or Facebook.
