PRAYERS AND PROMISES FOR GOD'S PRECIOUS GIFTS: CHILDREN

Raising kids will be challenging. Sometimes you wonder who is raising whom?

Certainly! Here are a couple of humorous anecdotes related to raising kids: The Art of Negotiation: A parent was trying to get their toddler to put on their shoes. After several minutes of negotiation, the toddler finally agreed. As the parent triumphantly held up one shoe, the toddler looked at them and said, “Now we talk about the other shoe.” The Snack Negotiator: Parent: “No more snacks. You’ve had enough.” Kid: “But I’m starving!” Parent: “You just had dinner.” Kid: “That was like five minutes ago!” The Art of Selective Hearing: Parent: “Please pick up your toys.” Kid: completely ignores request Parent (louder): “I said, pick up your toys!” Kid: “Oh, I thought you were singing.”

Remember, parenting is an adventure filled with laughter, chaos, and unexpected moments. 😄

1 Samuel 1:8–12 CSB

8 “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband, Elkanah, would ask. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 9 On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. 10 Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 11 Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.” 12 While she continued praying in the Lord’s presence, Eli watched her mouth.

Start before God

1. Practice Prayer

In the story, Elkanah and Hannah went to worship before the Lord early in the morning. They prayed to God.Key Point: Regular prayer is essential for our relationship with God.

Prayer connects you to God. You need His presence and guidance when raising little imagers of Christ. Why because they like all of us

you’ll need it.

Your marriage needs it. There were all sorts of issues in this marriage. 2 wives. What’s the old saying, what are 2 wives? 1 wife too many.

There’s loss, there’s competitiveness, there’s animosity, there’s favoritism.

One thing Elkanah gets right, the husband and wife commitment is more important than the children.

Raising kids mainly means being a Beyond Thunder-dome Referee. Listen, when kids are little, they may be cute, but watch them closely, especially boys, it is as near as letting a suped up bob-cat loose in a chicken coop at times. Much of your time will be keeping the kids from killing themselves or each other.

I found a screw that one of my kids had drilled into the neutral side of an outlet.

Another time, a kid found the the powered side with a penny. Fortunately, no one’s hair turned into a frizzy perm. We had just painted the wall so we were able to cover the geometric black trapezoid going up to the ceiling.

No matter what others say about pr

1 Samuel 1:19 (CSB)

19 The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to worship before the Lord. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her.

2. Establish patterns of worship.

Elkanah and Hannah had a habit of going to the temple to worship.Key Point: Consistent worship helps us grow spiritually.

Modeling has greater impact than mere acknowledging

Habits have a greater impact on us and kids than simply words. Saying church worship, Bible, and prayer are important will have little to no impact if you don’t get up on Sunday or if travel softball or baseball take priority.

Kid’s know the difference between, we are going to the once in a lifetime opportunity of National Championship versus hey we won’t be in church, Sunday school for the next four months because this particular team plays every Sunday. Kids KNOW you are not choosing God’s team.

I want my kids to be happy. That sounds virtuous. It sounds good.

Chesterton wrote:

Idolatry exists wherever the thing which originally gave us happiness becomes at last more important than happiness itself.

But when we put a virtue above the practice of holiness, it becomes a vice.

1 Samuel 1:21–23 CSB

21 When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice and his vow offering to the Lord, 22 Hannah did not go and explained to her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the Lord’s presence and to stay there permanently.” 23 Her husband, Elkanah, replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the Lord confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

3. Protect from harmful influences.

Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to God’s service from a young age.Key Point: Parents should guide their children toward God and protect them from harmful influences.

Nate Bargatze shares that his whole family is Christian and that his parents became Christian in the 80s which is the most Christian that you could be.

He recounts the story of being invited to a sleepover and late at night the boys announced they would watch Friday the 13th.

At which point, he stood in front of the TV and the group of boys to declare, “I don’t think I’m allowed to watch this.” He thought a bunch of other boys would jump up in solidarity. No one did. The mom, he thinks in concern for him pulled him aside and said, “Nate, perhaps this is something we dont’ tell your parents about.

He thought, well thanks for that information NOW. It never occured to me. I didn’t know that was an option to lie to my parents. Then he said, “I don’t think that will work seeing how, I’ve already called them and they are on their way to rescue me.”

I remember the age of “Adult beverages,” adult discussion topics. Society used to have a sense that even if something was appropriate in life, children were not ready to emotionally, mentally, or physically adapt, understand, comprehend, or act appropriately if exposed to that information or stimulus. The temptation and danger would be too great.

The desire to experiment or misunderstand the appropriate place of such a thought or idea would overcome them and cause immense suffering. The culture used to cooperate with parents on boundaries, now it needs to be studied more.

Now parents are told, “Children KNOW BEST!” and parents better listen to them in everything they want or feel and act on it.

There’s a reason we don’t give 5 year olds car keys. There’s a reason teens have to go through drivers ed and log so many hours with an experienced driver. The same with spiritual and moral navigation.

I’d go so far to say that just because someone is an adult or has an advanced degree, it doesn’t mean they always know what’s best. It needs to be examined and bound by Scripture and the Wisdom of God.

Certainly! Dr. James Dobson reported the findings of an interesting study done on school children in his film series “Focus on the Family.” A group of educators decided to remove the chain-like fences from around the school playgrounds because they believed the fences promoted feelings of confinement and restraint. However, the curious thing they noticed was that as soon as the fences were removed, the children huddled in the center of the playground to play. The conclusion drawn from this study is that children need boundaries123. It’s a fascinating insight into how boundaries can impact children’s behavior and sense of security.

Boundaries With Kids: Why They Matter Setting boundaries with kids is crucial because they help children develop important life skills. Here are three key results that kids with boundaries learn:

A Sense of Self: Children need to understand that their thoughts, feelings, and choices are theirs. This self-awareness allows them to take responsibility for their lives. Over-compliant children, who only aim to please their parents, may struggle in adult relationships. Encourage your kids to have their own minds while also obeying house rules1.

Self-Control: Children are naturally impulsive. Teaching them boundaries helps them control their impulses and focus on tasks like homework and chores. This self-discipline will benefit them throughout their lives1.

Building Great Relationships: Boundaries help children learn how to make friends with the right kinds of kids and say no to harmful influences. They learn appropriate play behavior and respect others’ space1.

How to Set Healthy Boundaries with Kids Follow these steps to establish healthy boundaries:

Love: Convey unconditional love to your children. Boundaries are more effective when set in an atmosphere of warmth and love rather than anger or detachment.

Truth: Be honest with your kids about the reasons behind the boundaries you set. Explain why certain limits exist and how they contribute to their growth and well-being1.

Remember, boundaries provide a framework for children to navigate life successfully. By teaching them healthy limits, you equip them to handle reality and make mature choices as they grow

Social Media is something parents need to get on and focus on:

Decades after social media allows invented ideas and images to seep into children minds and hearts, we see the SCIENCE and DATA now reveal the encouragement is not good. These kids already have lots of insecurities

How do you get your teenager to respect boundaries and stay away from trouble, well, the best start is when they are young. Give them responsibilities and boundaries. And as they get older trust them to be age appropriately responsible.

1 Samuel 1:24–28 CSB

24 When she had weaned him, she took him with her to Shiloh, as well as a three-year-old bull, half a bushel of flour, and a clay jar of wine. Though the boy was still young, she took him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Please, my lord,” she said, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked him for, 28 I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” Then he worshiped the Lord there.

4. Keep your Promises. (v.26-28)

Hannah made a promise to God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. She didn’t go back on her word to the Lord. Samuel saw that. She also kept her promise to her husband. Key Point: Keeping our promises to God and others is important in building trust.

When you fail, own up to it and do better. Don’t be frivolous with your promises.

5. Point your kids to the Lord. (v. 28)

Hannah raised Samuel to love and serve God.

Studies have shown that families that focus on being a regular part of a local church by serving, families that listen to Christian music throughout the week, and share meals together praying in thanksgiving have more connection, overall peace, and more clarity about their faith in Jesus.

You can’t force someone to come to Christ, but you can point to Him clearly.

Key Point: Parents should teach their children about God and encourage them to follow Him.

Take Aways:

1. Patterns of Prayers as a Family:

As a family, you can establish patterns of prayer by praying together before meals, bedtime, and during difficult times. Encourage your children to express their thoughts and feelings to God.

Example: “Dear God, thank you for this food. Help us to be grateful and kind.”

2. Determining Age-Appropriate Content:

Consider your child’s maturity level and what aligns with your family’s values. Avoid exposing them to harmful or inappropriate material.

Example: Choose movies, books, and conversations that are suitable for their age and understanding.

3. Prioritizing Spiritual Life Amid Busyness:

Set aside intentional time for family devotions, Bible reading, and discussions about faith.

Example: Schedule family prayer time or attend church services together, even when life gets busy.