Deuteronomy 6:4-7 reads ““Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home . . . “
We value our faith, not for what it can give us, but for the One it connects us to. I wanted my kids to connect to the God who is greater than all their fears, greater than all my fears, and the God who still performs miracles.
Have you ever considered fasting a meal a week for your kids? Fasting a meal and praying for their present troubles and those who influence them? Fasting a meal a week and praying for their future ministry and their future spouses?
Musician Wayne Watson wrote a song years ago called, “Somewhere in the World Today.” The lyrics challenged me when #1 Son was 5 years old and accepted the Lord as his Savior. The lyrics went something like this: “Somewhere in the world today, a little girl will go out to play, all dressed up in Mama’s clothes, at least the way that I suppose it goes. Somewhere in the world tonight, before she reaches to turn out the light, she’s praying from a tender heart, simple prayers that’s a work of art. And I don’t even know her name, but I’m praying for her just the same, that the LORD would write His name upon her heart. Because somewhere in the course of this life, my little boy will need a Godly wife. So hold on to Jesus baby, wherever you are. Hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are.”
Many of the books I have read over the years, written by Christian parents, shared that they fasted one meal a week, for their children. How precious for them to realize as young people that their parents gave up a simple something to focus on prayers for them.
On the day Baby Girl was married to #2 Son, I told that young man through tears that glistened with great love, “Welcome to our family . . . We have been praying for you ever since you were a very little boy.”
“Take Mark, and bring him with thee” 2 Timothy 4:11b