“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
There is a reason why God has given us children. He tells us in Isaiah 43:6 and 7, “Bring my sons ... and my daughters ... for I have created him for my glory.” God is so thrilled with His Son, the Lord Jesus, that He wants our sons and daughters (and us!) to be like Jesus, to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Whatever goals we may have for our children, this should be at the top of our list.
It doesn’t happen automatically. Only in the power of God will we be able to raise our children for God’s glory. We start by praying for our children. Hannah began praying even before her child Samuel was born — “For this child I prayed” (1 Samuel 1:27). We can pray for them as we feed them in the middle of the night. “Arise, cry out in the night: ... lift up thy hands toward Him for the life of thy young children” (Lamentations 2:19). We “ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). We need to keep praying until they or we are Home: “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray” (1 Samuel 12:23).
It is both a privilege and responsibility to open to them God’s way for their life. Self-will manifests itself naturally. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit requires cultivation on God’s part and ours.