I heard the story of a praying mother who had a wayward son. She preached to him several times but he did not yield. Eventually, she died. The young man had a fatal accident. After his life was gone, he saw himself descending into the darkest part of hell. He was terrified at the sight of what he saw.
Suddenly, an angel came to his rescue. He was privileged to see his late mother praying for him. What God showed him was one of those prayer sessions his mother had while on earth not when she translated into glory. On account of his late mother's prayer while on earth, he was rescued from eternal damnation and restored back to life and he gave his life to Christ.
That reminds me of what Leonard Ravenhill said, "Preaching affects time but prayer affects eternity". No prayer is lost. We may not see result now but in God's wisdom, he answer in his own way and at his own time.
After all is said and done, I want to let you know there is a power that makes all you've learnt to work. That power is released in the place of prayer as we interceed for our children daily. You can know all principles and practice it religiously but If grace is not released, you may appear as one who knows nothing
I have seen pious men whose lives are worth emulating yet they raised children whose lives are the exact opposite of what they represent. Sometimes, we fail to realize that we are in warfare. In warfare, principles are not enough, you need a stronger fire power to conquer.
Satan doesn't care about how good you are, he may launch an attack on your children that will soil your good reputation. He can make them 'blind' to your exemplary life and deaf to your instructions and you'll wonder what is happening. That's how wicked our enemy is.
As a parent, you must be addicted to the prayer room where the fire power needed to make principles work is released. Get on your knees and start interceeding for your seeds. The matter of rasing a godly generation is more than meet the eye. Some demons are on assignment to corrupt our seeds but we must shield them in prayer.
Your constant prayer will make them hear your voice of instruction when they are about straying. Their resolve to say no to vices will be strengthened as you pray. Your prayer can wrought unspeakable things in their lives. Don't outsource your prayer assignment to any pastor or preacher.
Employ yourself as the Intercessor-In-Chief of your children.
If you have a wayward child, I have good news for you. If you can pray, you can have that child restored. Even if you are at fault in some areas, the mercy of God can speak for you. Don't stop praying.