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praying for my kids

This week I spent with some of our partners in ministry celebrating what God has done in the past and what He is going to do in the coming days.  During a message Sunday night, Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, said something that hit my heart in a big way.  I want to share that and my conviction with you.

First, I remind you want God did in our home back in August.  We began having family devotions.  This grew out of the 40 days of Prayer for the Children that www.childrenscup.org does each year.  I know that Dave & Jean Ohlerking along with their son Dan has some great rewards coming from heaven for their work with kids around the world.  But they influenced my family by helping us hear from God almost every day.  For that I am so grateful.

Sunday night God reminded me that I have this churning inside of me for my kids to walk with God and to impact the world for Him.  But a question struck me and honestly blew me away.  Would I be OK if God calls my kids to be missionaries?  Would it be OK if they move to Africa or Japan or some other places thousands of miles from us?  Yeah, my kids are real young.  Yet my heart sank.  I have been praying for my kids, but I have not been laying my kids at God's feet for Him to do whatever He wants with them.

Friends, this is huge.  How many times do we hold back because we are uncomfortable?  How often do we miss being who God wants or being where God is working because we are not comfortable?  If I miss something, that is one thing.  Get this.  I don't want my kids to miss anything.  My heart cries for them to experience a move of God and to experience God in greater ways than I have.  Do you get that.

I have to start praying.  Julie has to start praying.  "God, use our kids.  They are yours.  However you desire and whatever you want, our kids belong to you."  Not an easy prayer, but I am starting to pray it.  Will you join me in praying for your kids?

Here are some God thoughts that come to mind:

Luke 18:16 (NLT) --- Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

Deuteronomy 11:19 (NLT) --- Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB) --- Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

3 John 1:4 (NLT) --- I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

I long to see my children lead people to God.  He gave us kids and grand kids.  They bring us lots of joy and even some pain, from time to time.  But what are we doing to lead our kids to know God and to go where He calls them to go?  Are we being examples?  Did our kids see Jesus in and through our lives?

It is time to start praying for our kids.

Comments

Jean Ohlerking said…
Most missionaries we know felt the first inkling of a calling when they were kids. i love talking to kids about serving the Lord full-time. They are so open and ready to accept the assignment. Yes, pray for your kids. Be the living example of all God has called you to be. Teach them to memorize the Word that will enable them throughout their lives. Thanks for writing this post. It's a great challenge.
November 11, 2009 at 9:32:00 PM EST
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