Today’s Scripture is found in Proverbs 22:6, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
What a privilege to contribute to the Moms in Prayer International blog. We wanted to share the article with you as I believe many of us can relate.
The task of parenting is both a daunting feat and an eternally purposed opportunity. Doubt, questions and panic quickly flood our hearts with worry. While our hearts know the supremacy and provision of God, our flesh desperately begs the questions of fear. “How will I protect my child from harm in an aggressively harmful world?” “How will I instill values into my children when I consistently fall short of them?” “How can I prepare these innocent little ones for the trials that are ahead?”
The answer to our questions and the response to our fears are found in the presence of Jesus. His glory flies in the face of fear, and His presence overwhelms the seemingly powerful forces that rob us of our peace.
The power of prayer
The power of prayer is our defense. It is our defense against worry, as well as the tool by which our children will walk in all that we desire for them. Scripture tells us that as we abide in Christ, we bear the fruit of peace that we desperately seek. Scripture also reminds us that adults, at times, hinder children from going directly where their hearts lead them: to Jesus.
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
I believe that scripture ties the task of parenting to the mission of teaching our children how to pray, which is the mission of the Children’s Prayer Covenant.
The Prayer Covenant is a ministry that equips parents, churches and educators to teach their children how to pray. In recent years, the ministry developed an illustrated children’s book called The Power of the Prayer Covenant for Children. This book speaks words of truth, love and comfort to the eager and pure hearts of children. It is an invitation for children to experience prayer in life-transforming ways. It invites them into the presence of their heavenly Father, reassuring them of His never-ending love for them and His desire to hear from them daily.
The book and ministry are centered on the simple words of a prayer to be prayed each day for 40 days alongside a prayer partner. We will continue this article tomorrow but let’s close our time together by praying the children’s prayer together,
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me and making me one of your children.
Help me love and obey you.
Help me love others the way you love me.
I am sorry for my sins. Wash me clean.
I will praise you with my whole heart!
Jesus, I want to follow you as my Lord. Change me any way you want.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want to know your plans for me.
Make me a messenger of your grace, truth and justice.
Use me for your glory and to invite others to follow you.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
