Prayers For Our Children

CHILDREN

As many of you know, most of our children will be starting school this week. Our children going to school can have all sorts of effects on not only our children, but our parents, and our teachers. This morning I want to spend some time in scripture and prayer for our children, parents, and teachers. Each have a unique responsibility. Each need our prayers, and all have important rolls to play.

As I think about children this morning I am reminded of Mk. 10 where parents were bringing children to Jesus, to be touched by Him (receive blessing)

Mark 10:13–16 NASB95

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

Jesus cares for little children. I would say children have a special place in the heart of Jesus. Note that said don’t hinder them. Don’t keep them from coming to me. Did you know we can be a hindrance to little children coming to Jesus. Maybe our lack of commitment and devotion, maybe our hypocritical lifestyle, our lack of passion and zeal, or our constant complaining. Little children are listening, they are observant. Jesus turns the tables on the disciples and says you better be like a child. passion zeal, innocence, the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. In Mattew he point to the child as being humble - unassuming goal and prayer this morning.

Note that Jesus blessed these children. That is our goal and prayer this morning, We want to ask God’s blessing to be upon them. That he would protect them from doctrines of satan and harm and that he would put good positive influences in their lives. people who would inspire them and help along their path in life.

Matthew 18:1–6 NASB95

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

But again there is a warning here. You better not cause one of these children to stumble. Parents who are unfaithful to each other and to God, that will cause little ones to stumble. Each of us should be careful how we live and make sure we are not the cause of stumbling for these children.

children need to be taught and convinced of the things of God. Paul reminded Timothy that he learned these things from childhood.

2 Timothy 3:14–16 NASB95

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

But in order for children to learn these things they must have parents who are dedicated to teaching them the sacred scriptures. Without it the children will be lost and wandering in a dark and dangerous world

Parents

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NASB95

“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

We have less time a day with our children why they are at school that is why it is so much more important for us to talk with them each day about spiritual things. parents we have a great responsibility in raising our kids.

Ephesians 6:1–4 NASB95

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:20–21 NASB95

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Proverbs 22:6 NASB95

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 13:24 NASB95

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 29:15 NASB95

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Hebrews 12:7–11 NASB95

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

This can be a stressful time for some parents

Matthew 6:33–34 NASB95

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Teachers

Deuteronomy 32:2 NASB95

“Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb.

Titus 2:7–8 NASB95

in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Proverbs 11:25 NASB95

The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB95

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Galatians 5:22–23 NASB95

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

All of us

Proverbs 3:5–10 NASB95

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.