‘Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. ‘ 2 Chronicles 20:3(NLT)
‘“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ‘ John 15:5(NLT)
‘And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ’. 1 Corinthians 11(NLT)
Children need the prayers of their parents. Why does it so often take a crisis, like the one that faced ancient Judah, for us to come before the Lord? “Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the LORD.”
We must not allow ourselves to be deterred or discouraged in this process. Here are two suggestions to help you pray for your children with both effectiveness and power.
- Acknowledge that your children belong first to God, then to you. Acknowledge that His love for them is even greater than your love for them. Acknowledge that He can and does influence them more than you do. Acknowledge your own dependence upon Him to fulfill the calling He’s given you as a parent (see John 15:5).
- Be an example of Christian integrity for your children. Don’t be their excuse for not living as they ought. Be available to pray with, and not just for, your children. Be trustworthy as a model of Christlikeness.
Recall what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Your divine calling is to be what you desire them to be.
from Marriage and Family Life Reading Plan