When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. Job 1:5
Many parents feel that their responsibility for their children ends when they leave home. But I do not quit being a parent just because they are not under my roof.
Here are four lessons the Lord taught me that morning from the first chapter of Job.
1. Pray for your children. If your children are unbelieving, plead with God and intercede with Him for their salvation. You’re asking God to set them apart for Himself. Plead with God to remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh that beats for Him. If your children are believing, pray for them to grow in their faith.
2. Pray for each of your children. Job interceded for each of his children because each child is unique. Our children have different strengths and weaknesses, different struggles and temptations. So pray for each of them according to their own needs.
3. Pray for each of your children regularly. Job rose early in the morning. He daily interceded and offered burnt offerings for each of his children.
4. Pray for each of your children regularly, because they’re sinners in need of grace. Too many parents idolize their children and are unable to see them for the sinners they really are. Our culture is so blinded in this way that when their children get in trouble, the parents often blame others: teachers, coaches, other children. Job understood human depravity and he understood his children’s potential to sin. This is why Job continually interceded before God for his children.
Prayer is essential to parenting.
No comments:
Post a Comment