Daily Truth: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation..” Romans 10:10
Praying for the salvation of our children should be the first promise that we claim in praying Scriptures for our children.
In three of the four gospels, Christ uses the phrase, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:14)
The Lord himself was concerned about the salvation of our children.
Let’s put it in context.
Christ, with His disciples, crosses the Sea of Galilee to Judea. There a multitude of people were following Him.
Some needed physical healing others spiritual.
Then the pharisees come and try to trick Christ with a question. Christ answers their question using scripture.
Then mother’s bring their children to Christ in order for Him to bless them.
Now the disciples try to push the children aside. After all the children were probably dirty from the dust of the day. Christ had just had a very busy morning healing the sick, rebuking the pharisees, etc. Why would Christ even want to bother with the children?
But Christ wants to bothered with the children and He rebukes the disciples.
He then tells the disciples that unless you have the faith of a child you cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mark 10:13-15)
Christ was so concerned about the salvation of our children that He had the Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record it in their books.
You see, the praying for the salvation of our children at a young age is vital.
I realize that not everyone has the privilege of being saved at a young age nor will they necessarily get to see the salvation of their children at a young age.
When I was in junior high, I really struggled with the fact that I was saved at the age of 4. I didn’t have an amazing testimony to tell like some of the older folks in our church did. I mean really, how bad of a sinner could a 4 year old be? At least that was my thought.
The devil really used that thought process to question my salvation.
However, my wonderful pastor’s wife used the passage illustrated above to help me understand that God wants the salvation of our children no matter what age. She reminded me that my testimony was the fact that God spared me of all the scars that sin can leave on a life when they are without Christ.
I will never forget that.
In Jodie Berndt’s book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, she gives to vital points in praying Scripture for the salvation of our children.
1. When we pray for the salvation of our children, we are joining God in the work He is doing in their lives.
In other words, we can’t save our children no matter what we do. It is God alone that brings salvation to our children. However, God wants us to pray for the salvation of our children. When we do that we are partnering with God.
A perfect example of this is Timothy. Paul writes that Timothy was taught from a young age the scriptures that brought him salvation. Who did that? His mother and grandmother. They became partners with God for Timothy. (II Timothy 3:15)
2. “Praying for the salvation of our children is asking God to give them the only gift that lasts forever.”
We cannot take anything to Heaven except for the souls we helped bring to Christ. I desire nothing more than to have all my children one day in Heaven with me.
In praying for the salvation of my children, that is exactly what I am asking of God – to allow me to see my children in Heaven with me.
God answered that prayer for me this year.
This past year the Lord allowed me to see my two boys accept Christ as their Savior. I cannot express the joy that brings when you hear the simple prayer of your children asking Jesus into their little lives.
Their prayers are so simple, yet so filled with insurmountable faith.
Then to see the excitement on their faces when they just have to tell EVERYBODY!!!!
Now all my children will be in Heaven with me one day. My work is far from done, though.
The salvation of our children is by far the item at the top of our prayer list.
Here are two passages to use to pray for the salvation of our children.
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ladies, remember to stand back, get out of God’s way, and pray that God will save their little hearts.
Until next week,
Rebekah