As I said yesterday, many times as we pray for our youth, we will sense a sorrow that causes our hearts to weep. But we must assess why we are crying. Are we broken because our children are not doing whatever WE want them to do OR because they are turning their backs on God and His Word and Will? In Week 3 titled “Wanting What God Wants” Mr Banks challenges us to make sure we are praying for God’s will over our children’s lives, not just whatever we think would be best. He talks about the mother of the sons of Zebedee when she went to Jesus and prayed for her boys to have a high place of honor in His new Kingdom. (see Mt 20:21) Surprisingly, Jesus responds with, “You don’t know what you are asking”. (see Mt 20:22) You see, we always think we know what is best, but the reality is, we do not see things the ways God sees them. While we see the right here, right now…often forgetting the past and thinking we know what the future holds…we tend to want things based on this temporary moment. God’s plans are much more expansive. Not only does God know exactly what has happened in the past, and what has happened in our hearts given the past, but He also knows every detail of the future too. This well meaning mother wanted James and John to be powerful men of God— and that is wonderful— but their position and what it would cost them, she did not understand.
When we pray for our own children, or that of others, we must pay attention to the reasons for those prayers. While it seems good and right to pray for our children to be successful, Mr Banks warns, “If my kids are successful heathen who look good from the world’s point of view but will be separated from God for eternity, what kind of future is that?” (p 36) We cannot only look at the surface, but lift our children up for the health of their spirit, soul and body. What we should want most for them is what God wants most for them. Do we know what that is? Leave a comment and we will continue tomorrow…
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
<>< Peace, Diane
