Country artist Chris Stapletons deeply personal song, Daddy Doesnt Pray Anymore, was inspired by his own fathers prayers for him. The poignant lyrics reveal the reason his fathers prayers ended: not disillusionment or weariness, but his own death. Stapleton imagines that now, instead of speaking with Jesus in prayer, his dad is walking and talking face-to-face with Jesus.
Stapletons recollection of his fathers prayers for him brings to mind a biblical fathers prayer for his son. As King Davids life ebbed away, he made preparations for his son Solomon to take over as the next king of Israel.
After assembling the nation together to anoint Solomon, David led the people in prayer, as hed done many times before. As David recounted Gods faithfulness to Israel, he prayed for the people to remain loyal to Him. Then he included a personal prayer specifically for his son, asking God to give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees (1 Chronicles 29:19).
We too have the remarkable privilege to faithfully pray for the people God has placed in our lives. Our example of faithfulness can make an indelible impact that will remain even after were gone. Just as God continued to work out the answers to Davids prayers for Solomon and Israel after he was gone, so too the impact of our prayers outlives us.