Teaching children to know Jesus, love Jesus & to be Kingdom Ready…

Human trafficking. I don’t remember where I was. I don’t remember who told me. I just remember as a small girl, hearing about a young boy who was taken over 500 miles from his family, his home and his friends. He was a victim of human trafficking. Handsome, intelligent and seemingly blemish free. He was carefully selected. However, sometime after his abduction, his assignment changed. At first a captive, through Divine Providence Daniel became a prime minister.

Have you had moments when you were gripped by the fear that something might happen to you? I’m not talking about being afraid to die. I’m talking about being afraid that you will not be there for your children. Daniel is an example of what the Holy Spirit will do with our children as we make prayer a priority in our families. The story of Daniel motivates me to become a praying parent.

As an infant, I believe Daniel watched his mother and father pray three times a day in front of a window in their home. As a toddler, Daniel joined in the family prayer times. I can imagine there were times Daniel’s parents, or even Daniel himself did not feel like praying. Yet, this family realized feelings don’t determine the completion of necessities. Daniel’s parents didn’t know the temptations that their son would encounter throughout his life. However, they knew the importance of prayer. They knew in order to have victory in a spiritual war they could not rely on carnal weapons.

The time came sooner than anyone expected. Daniel was without his parents. What would become of Daniel in this foreign land? Would he abandon the teachings of his parents? On the contrary. Something supernatural took place when Daniel arrived in Babylon.  Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…Daniel 1:8. Prayer doesn’t always change circumstances. We see this in the tragic story of Daniel’s abduction.  However, sincere prayer changes the heart and mind of the one petitioning God to be more like Him. And this is what every Christian parent wants for themselves and for their child. To have the heart and mind of God. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. 2 Philippians 2:5 Throughout Daniel’s life we see a

This week I would like to encourage you to spend more time praying for your child and praying with your child. The great news is becoming a praying parent is a work that the Holy Spirit wants to complete in you. Our job is to accept the Spirit’s promptings to pray. Declining these prompts are a slippery slope that leads to a stagnant or even nonexistent prayer life. Even when we don’t feel like it. Pray

Knowing Jesus:

We are trying something new with our kids. We are trying to consistently pray near a window three times a day like Daniel. In the morning prayer we ask God for whatever is on our hearts. The afternoon prayer we pray for others and the evening prayer we express praise. We allow the kids to choose the window we are going to pray in front of which excites our kids. I will follow up with our community and let you know things are going.

Community Question:

How are you encouraging your children to know God through prayer?