This message is the second part to “How to Pray for our Children” to read part one click here.

Key Verse: Psalm 127:3

Behold children are a blessing from God – children are our reward.

What to pray for our children – a few important points:

1. To have the knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:17-18)

May God give our children wisdom, spiritual revelation & knowledge of God. In everything we do, God needs to be the foundation. Children need to know that God loves them, He is omnipresent, all-knowing, that He loves them even though we are not perfect and that He will be there when they call out to him. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

Our children need to know who they are in Christ Jesus – we are all precious to Him. God has prepared things that cannot even be humanly imagined for his children (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). By grace you have been saved and He will lift us up to be seated with Christ in the heavenly places and show exceeding riches (Ephesians 2:5-7). God has empowered us with the Holy Spirit – we need to pray for our children to know Him and use the Holy Spirit in their lives.

 

2. To have the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)

The Holy Spirit is our teacher and so we need to be sensitive to his voice. There are many voices around us – God’s voice, Satan’s, our own voice (self-conscious) we need to pray for sensitive ears that are able to discern those voices. We not only need to hear the voice of God, but we need to be obedient and be led by the Holy Spirit.

 

3. To be obedient to God (1 Samuel 15:22)

God desires obedience over sacrifice. Sacrifice without obedience or love is meaningless. Obedience pleases God and will lead to meaningful sacrifices that are made out of true love. When children have the fear of the Lord they will obey the Word e.g. Honour your father and mother. When our children obey God, they will also obey the parents.

 

4. To have knowledge, understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10)

Knowledge, understanding, wisdom and discernment are all gifts from God. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts, Understanding is the arrangement of the facts and Wisdom is the application of those facts.

For example: Most smokers know that smoking can eventually cause cancer. Yet some smokers think that smoking will not affect them. This is not a lack of knowledge but a lack of understanding. However if the smoker understands the facts and stops smoking, this is wisdom in action – the application of the facts.

Another illustration: We take our children to Sunday School where they learn and memorise scriptures, this is knowledge. When the Holy Spirit quickens the Word (opens their spiritual eyes, illuminates the scriptures) understanding comes to them. When we apply the Word in our lives, this is wisdom.

The Holy Spirit can give us the revelation to understand the scriptures and the wisdom when to use it. Godly wisdom and discernment provides insight into situations to guide how to act. 1 King 3:12 – God gave King Solomon wisdom and an understanding heart. 1 King 3:23-27 – King Solomon used his Godly wisdom to resolve the dispute between the two women over who was the true mother of the baby. (Luke 2:52) Jesus increased in wisdom and stature as he grew up as a child – so our children also need to grow in wisdom (Proverbs 4:7).

 

Continue to pray for your children to know the love of God and to have an intimate relationship with Him.

Your Pastor

 

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.