pray for the children, lead them, too

Philippians 2:3-4  NLT

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

There is nothing greater than doing what God called me to do.  I am blessed to be a parent.  I love our three kids, and so often pride wells up in me as I see them living out their faith.  One more huge and blessed piece of being a pastor is watching the kids in our church run to Jesus.

The example we set as parents, as family as Christians makes a big difference in the lives of many.  In fact, all who see us are pointed in some direction.  I pray often that I will do all I can and that our church stands strong being an example of God’s love and His grace!

Malachi 4:6 
 NIV

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.

God uses our actions.  He literally, as the verse says, God helps families grow closer together.  Move away from God, our families suffer.  Move closer to God and follow Jesus, our families get stronger.

3 John 1:4  NLT

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

That verse is something that I am going to share several times in the coming weeks as we look at great families. 

I simply draw your attention to a book that made me more aware of our responsibility as a parent and as a pastor.  It is Mark Batterson’s book Praying Circles Around Your Children.  The book talked about praying specific prayers, letting your kids know you are praying for them and being committed to prayer as a way of life!