Prayer Prompt #31: Promises for Parents (Part 2)

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Psalm 37:25-26 (KJV)

The Psalmist testifies of the unchanging character of God which lasts for us and for our children. Scripture affirms the Psalmist's observation: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

God's loving kindness will outlast my earthly existence; it will continue to my children. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end” (Lamentations 3:22). Thank God for this security! “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Psalm 90:2). I can be confident that what He has been for me, He will be for them -- and I pray even more so!

Truly, He has “been our dwelling place throughout ALL generations.” (Psalm 90:1).  What a great reassurance this is -- the God I love and serve will be the same to my children: Savior, Healer, Defender, Friend, Comforter, Provider . . . we rightly call Him the Rock of Ages. Hallelujah!

Dear Jesus, the world my children grow up in will be different than the world I grew up in, as my world is different than the world of my parents’ generation.  Yet I have confidence in this: no matter the times, no matter the society, no matter the state of the world, You are utterly unchanging. Your love is unstoppable.  Time only serves to carry forward the redemptive plan you had from the beginning. I praise You that my children will blessed to know that, throughout the generations, the LORD never forsakes the righteous. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #30: Promises for Parents (Part 1)

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Proverbs 20:7 (NIV)

Quiz time!

The most effective thing I can do to secure a blessed future for my children is . . .

a) Feed them only organic, non-GMO produce and responsibly raised meat and dairy so they have excellent health

b) Sound financial planning so there is a “nest egg” that can help them transition into adulthood without monetary strain

c) Give them a happy childhood free from want and worry so they are not overly burdened

d) Ensure they have a robust, well-rounded resume so they are accepted to an excellent college

There are so many things we as parents do for our children, and many of them are good and admirable efforts to help them find their way in the world.  But “none of the above” carries the promise of a blessed future.

So what is the most effective thing I can do to secure blessing for my children? Walk with God. Live a blameless life before Him. Obey His Word, the Bible. Scripture affirms this core truth over and over again: God will bless the children of godly parents.  

Dear Jesus, how I love this simple promise - that You will bless my children when I live a blameless life before You!  You have given me a double motivation to walk with You -- both for my sake and for my children’s sake. I am overwhelmed by Your goodness and generosity and give You thanks for Your promise of future blessing.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #29: Calling Forth Character (The Power of Words, Part 3)

Last week we discussed destructive words and prayed that we would be on guard against speaking these over our children.

This week we will pray to build and rebuild: to correct our wrong patterns of speech and adopt constructive speech when we communicate with our children.

Moms, it was a verbal command that raised Lazarus from the dead.  Our words can bring parts of our children’s hearts or hopes that were once dead back to life.  Your words have power. Remember that.

So when my child needs correction, I ought to think about the words I’ll use before they tumble out of my mouth.  Rather than tearing down my child with, “you are mean” (a negative judgment who he is), I can use words to draw out the godly character that he is called to embody: “God made you to be compassionate" (wherein there is hope and motivation to change). With my words I adorn his neck with truth (Proverbs 6:20-22).

Yes, it’s true that little Johnny may not be acting compassionately now as he whallops his little brother over the head with a toy truck.  But that’s not the character to which God has called him; it’s sin acting out of an immature heart.  So I don’t accept that the current behavior will define who he is, and instead I replace it with truth of who he is meant to become.

No, our children may not be all these godly things today - and neither am I - but I know that God is doing a work in them and in me and He is not finished.  I choose to share His perspective, and He sees what we are becoming rather than doom us to remain as we are today.   

Dear Jesus, fill my heart up with Truth so it will bubble out whenever I speak to my children (Luke 6:45).  Teach me to speak as You did - seeing the godly qualities you desire for my children and calling them forth even as you called forth a dead man from a tomb.  Give me the faith to believe that no dormant character trait cannot be resurrected by your power. Give me the faith to believe that the sword of your Spirit, which is the Word of God, can snuff out the traits that are contrary to your character. Help me speak truth over my children in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #28: What Does My Child Think about Himself? (The Power of Words, Part 2)

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Words are powerful weapons. Even the weakest, unarmed person can cut another to the ground with nothing more than the power of the tongue. We have probably all experienced the deep pain of someone else’s hurtful words, whether careless or deliberate.

Some of the most hurtful words are those that purport to define another person. “You’re lazy.” “She’s prettier that you are.”  “Why are you so annoying?” “You’ll never get it right.” These words often take root in the heart and color a person’s perception of him or herself.  Jame 3:8 tells us plainly that, lest we allow God to tame our tongues, they will be “a restless evil, full of deadly poison”. Yikes!

So, mamas, we need to be careful of the words we speak to our children because they will believe that those words are true.  Proverbs 23:7 (above) warns us that a person will become what he thinks in his heart. Therefore we need to keep watch over our mouths and prevent careless words from accidentally poisoning our children’s hearts and minds and robbing them of perceiving themselves as their Maker perceives them.

And if you mess up (as we all have)? Repent and ask forgiveness, then fix the problem (more on this next week).

Dear Jesus, the power of speech is so evident from the very beginning of Scripture: the Father spoke and the world was created.  As my words will weigh heavily on my child’s heart, help me to “set a guard over my mouth” and “keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3) so that destructive speech will not be laid upon him. Help me tame my tongue and not speak words rashly or carelessly, but rather be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer Prompt #27: Are You Speaking Life or Death over Your Children? (The Power of Words, Part 1)

The tongue has the power of life and death . . .

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

As parents, we have been given a special authority over our children, but with that authority comes great responsibility because we carry so much power to influence their lives -- for better, or for worse.

Let’s take just one example: our words. Our tiny little words have the power to build up or to tear down, to heal or to destroy. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) puts it this way: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death.  With my words, I can give life to my child’s defeated soul. Or, with my words, I can wound my child’s sensitive spirit.

I’ve seen my child’s face crumple and his eyes cast down after rash words spoken out of my frustration or anger.  And I’ve seen a warm glow spread from heart to smile and make my child’s face radiant when I affirm the character that God is forming in him.

But I wish there were more examples of the latter. So let’s pray . . .

Dear Jesus, make me a mother who opens my mouth with wisdom and even gives instruction to my children with kindness (Proverbs 31:26). May my conversation with my children always be full of grace (Colossians 4:6) rather than harshness. I too have been the victim of hurtful words and know their destructive power - so please prevent that I would hurt those I love with those kinds of words.  Instead make my words encouraging and affirming so they will build and strengthen my child to become everything You have designed him to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.