For Our Children

I haven't read Jonathan Edwards' resolutions but I now am resolved to do so!! I do not know if there is one there for praying for our children, but this has been much on my mind lately and is another duty I am resolving to give more attention. After Tim's message last week, about passing on the faith to the coming generation, I am convinced of the great need to pray for them. I find it interesting that Jesus, during his final moments with his disciples in the upper room, prayed for the next generation:

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. I in them and you in me that they may become perfectly one so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20-23)

My children need prayer. My friends' children need prayer. My children's children and my friends' grandchildren need prayer. The next generation church needs prayer. I want to be like Robin's mother, and like my mother: a woman of prayer. This is the most I can do for the coming generation. Then after that, I pray for God to give me opportunities to dazzle them with stories of His work, His truth, His amazing grace.

A friend of mine shared this prayer by Amy Carmichael:

For our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand pluck them,
Holy Father, save our children.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may abide,
Lead them home at eventide.

I'm looking for prayer partners on our children's behalf; for the future church, for the glory of God. Will you join me? I'd love to hear from you.