Suganthi was turning 28 soon. Every girl in her community was married and had at least 4 children at her age, but Suganthi was still single. Her parents and grandparents were worried. They conveyed their concerns to her. Wherever they went, they kept a lookout for a suitable boy. Although they tried their utmost best, Suganthi was not even slightly interested in anyone of them.
Then one fine day it happened! She met someone whom she liked. No one forced her to like him. It just happened because their hearts met. Soon she was married to this gentleman.
Like in the above story, the desire of every faith-filled Christian parent and grandparent would be for their children and grandchildren to love the Lord Jesus and walk in His ways.
Can we force our children to love God or pray or even believe in Him? The answer is 'NO'.
Every human being is given a free will. God Himself will not force anyone to believe in Him. It will happen when it happens. It will happen when the hearts of our children meet the heart of Jesus. We can't do it but the Holy Spirit can. Before that there are some steps parents can and should take.
Step 1
Parents must model a faithful relationship with Jesus at home. Pray and read the bible in front of your children. Let your life, your speech and actions be motivated out of love. Ephesians 4:29
'Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.'
Your words must build your children up and not tear them down. Reflect Christ at home and outside. Children emulate 90% of what they see and only 10% of what they hear.
Step 2
Bring up your children rooted on the Word of God from birth. Speak to them often about the love of God the Father and Jesus. Tell them how Jesus died to save them from sin, sickness and eternal death. Tell them what is wrong and right according to God's Word. Teach them what is truly Good according to God's Word and what is deceptively 'Good' according to the world. Teach them the whole counsel of the Word and the commandments of Jesus. Do this constantly when you sit and stand and lie down. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Step 3
Surrender your children to the Father. Plead the blood of Christ Jesus upon them daily. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill them and light the spark in them to love the Father and build a lasting relationship with Jesus. Ask Him to hover over them 24/7 and birth the 'New Life of Christ Jesus' in them. You cannot be with your children 24/7 but the Holy Spirit can. Never give up praying for your children no matter what.
Now if you have missed out on either step 1 or 2 or even both, do not fret. The Lord knows. Confess to Him and begin anew. Even now you can begin with step 1. Model a Christ like character at home and outside. Feed continuously on the Word of God. Never miss your quiet time with God. When you soak in God's presence you will reflect Christ to your children. Live a life of non-compromise. Never stop praying for your children. Do not worry if you are the only person praying for them. God listens to the cry of even one faithful person.
You can modify step 2 as follows:- Your children may be grown now and may not like to hear you nag or tell them about God. Yet, you can always share the little little wonders and miracles which our Lord does in your life. Testify to the Lord's goodness in your daily situations, without making them feel guilty. Love them a lot without finding fault. Find an opportune time to point out what is wrong with what they did and talk to them about the consequences without belittling them. Engage in activities they enjoy, with them and find moments to praise and thank God in between. Do it without putting up a show. Give them their space but never stop praying for them.
Finally, the key to receiving answers to our prayer is Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving. Praise and Worship God the Father, thank Him constantly and let Him do the battle for you. He Who formed them in their mother's womb, cares for them and does not want them to perish. Our children belong to Him first and only afterwards to us. He will take care of them. (Isaiah 43:1 & Psalm 139:13)
Psalm 8:2 (NIV) “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving are important elements to invite God's presence into our lives and situations.
It adds depth to our relationship with God and allows us to take the attention off of ourselves, our circumstances and our distractions and surrender completely to Him.
The Psalmist here in Ps 8:2 says, praise builds up a stronghold against our enemies and silences him. It silences the voice of the enemy, which constantly yells in our ear that, 'our children are no good, they are lost and nothing is going to bring them back'. It builds a wall of protection around our situations, our children and our family.
Praise raises a throne for Christ to rule in our lives. 'Yet You are Holy,(referring to God) enthroned on the praises of Israel(here Israel represents us believers).'Psalm 22:3
Our praise serves as a powerful witness to those who do not know the Lord ( 1 Peter 2:9).
God will work miraculously through our praises. In the Old Testament, the ancient walls of Jericho came crashing down, giving victory to God's people, as a result of shouts of praise ( Joshua 6:1-21). As you read the account in Joshua 6 notice they were told by God to walk silently around the walls of Jericho. This is a powerful reminder to us, that we must silence our hearts and minds of all negativity and stop our lips from grumbling and complaining. In the New Testament we read that the prison doors shook open when Paul and Silas praised God ( Acts 16:25-26). Praise breaks the chains of the captives.
Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving will release the warrior angels from the Father to fight the battle for us.
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Read the account of how praise and worship helped King Jehoshaphat to win victory over his enemies.
Dear parents and grandparents, do not be anxious. Philippians 4:6 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.'
As I told you earlier, it will happen when it happens. When the Holy Spirit lights the fire in them, their hearts will meet the heart of Christ Jesus and they will begin to love and serve Him with their whole being. No amount of cajoling, pestering, scolding nor worrying will set their hearts aflame for Christ Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can do it.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. [16] Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us remember and take comfort that our Lord Jesus went through life as a human being. He knows our needs and struggkes of life. He understands us through and through. He now stands at the right hand of God pleading for us and our cause.
As parents and grandparents, let us engage in this warfare to win our children, grandchildren and our loved ones back to the Lord through Praise, Worship & Thanksgiving!
All glory be to God our Father through Christ Jesus His Son. Amen!
Mary Augustine
27/03/18
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