Pastor Eric M. Hine, said "Christian parents who do not regularly and fervently pray for the salvation and sanctification of their children are guilty of neglect in the highest order". It is considered neglect if parents do not adequately care for the temporal physical needs of their children. So why wouldn’t Christian parents recognize it as neglect when they don’t adequately care for their child’s eternal soul?
Ephesians 6:12 informs the believer, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Our real struggles are not flesh and blood struggles; they are spiritual struggles. Spiritual struggles must be fought spiritually. John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, said, “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.”
Specific Reasons Christian Parents Should Diligently Pray for Their Children
1. Children are no more capable of pleasing God on their own than we are. Although we employ human means to aid in child-rearing, real, lasting change is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. If your child does not come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, he or she will have no power to overcome sin (Romans 3:10- 12; 8:7).
2. The salvation of children should be intensely sought so they may avoid the bad habits and struggles that plague many adults. A life transformed by Jesus Christ helps protect against a life full of regrets. Good habits are best formed when young. Prayer, Bible study, the daily fight against sin, and other Christian virtues developed in youth are a powerful defense against the strategies of Satan.
3. Diligent prayer helps us focus on what is truly important in the lives of our children. Living in a sin-stained world often directs our thinking toward earthly goals for our children. Regular, fervent prayer focuses our thoughts on what is truly important. As we focus on the Lord, our goals for our children are more in line with God’s goals for our children. Remember--they belong to God. With that in mind, it becomes clear that we should seek His will through prayer on all matters pertaining to our children’s lives.
5. Our children are under constant attack from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Knowing that our children are under constant attack should generate resolute prayer. Wartime brings a focus that peacetime neglects. Spiritually speaking, we are at war every single day. Letting down our guard or thinking we are safe from assault only makes our defeat more certain.
6. No one can pray for them as we can. No one cares for our children more than we do (save for God). We have an intimate knowledge of our children that others lack. Our regular interaction with them gives us insight concerning their strengths, weaknesses, joys, struggles, and future goals. Although we implore others to pray on behalf of your children, few will actually pray, and none will pray with our intensity. After all, God entrusted their care to us.
God is calling us back to passionate advocacy on behalf of your children and others. Paul exhorts believers in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If only for a moment we could glimpse through the corridors of time and see the results of obedient, fervent prayer through God’s eyes, we most assuredly would fall face down and pray. Knowing our God is sovereign over all things, there is no need to see the future. Demonstrate your trust in Him by earnestly involving yourself in His ordained method for bringing about change in us and in our children – PRAYER!
NB: Subscribe to get our daily prayer topics for the challenge.
Blessings In Christ
Christy
This is very good !
ReplyDeleteThank you. God bless you.
ReplyDelete