Praying for our children

At our church we have compiled a list of twelve prayer pointers for parents to pray for their chldren. Each one of these becomes a matter of prayer focus for our weekly midweek church prayer meeting. Jon Bloom at Desiring God posted a few more prayers (a friend shared with him) to include in our intercession for our children I think you will find them helpful.

Recently a good friend shared with me these verses that he and his wife have prayed for their two daughters (now teens) since they were babies. I find them very helpful and have included them in my prayer folder for my children. I thought I'd pass them along to you as well. (Thanks, Chris!)

That Jesus will call them and no one will hinder them from coming.

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15)

That they will respond in faith to Jesus' faithful, persistent call.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

That they will experience sanctification through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and will increasingly desire to fulfill the greatest commandments.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39)

That they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

That their thoughts will be pure.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

That their hearts will be stirred to give generously to the Lord's work.

All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord. (Exodus 35:29)

That when the time is right, they will GO!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

50 Ways to Coach Your Children

I read Steve Farrar's Point Man several years ago and benefitted from it greatly as a dad. He has a more recent book called Anchor Man which I have not read yet but Colin Adams has and highlights one section from the book where Steve gives 50 Ways to Coach Your Children that are very helpful.

1. Coach them how to pray.
2. Coach them that the most important book in all the world is the Bible - and that they should read it every day.
3. Coach them in how to buy a car by taking them with you the next time you buy one.
4. Coach them how to use the library.
5. Coach them in how to stand up to a bully and defend themselves.
6. Coach your sons that men protect women.
7. Coach them about money - at least 10 percent to God, 10 percent to savings, live off the rest (and while they are living under your roof, they can take 10 percent for spending money and bank the other 70 percent).
8. Coach them to never make a major purchase without thinking about if for at least 24 hours.
9. Coach them to dribble with their left hand.
10. Coach them ahead of time how to handle pornography.
11. Coach your daughters that there are two kinds of beauty - outside and inside - and that inside is more important to you and God.
12. Coach them to respect and obey authority - parents, teachers, police officers etc.
13. Coach them to be kind to kids at school whom other kids make fun of.
14. Coach them not to cheat on homework or tests.
15. Coach them to immediately return the money when they have been given too much change.
16. Coach them to do a job right - the first time.
17. Coach them to open a door for their mother.
18. Coach them to share their victories, joys, sorrows, defeats and hurt with you. You do that, by the way, by listening.
19. Coach them to do what’s right when no one else is around, because Jesus is always around. And Jesus will reward them because they have character.
20. Coach them not to lie - before they get into the habit.
21. Coach them that some things are more important than sports- like Sunday worship.
22. Coach them to change their oil every 3000 miles - and get your daughter a cell phone when she starts driving (trust me on this…you’ll have a a better quality of life).
23. Coach them to say no to movies that their friends, even their Christian friends, say yes to.
24. Coach your son to be a gentleman.
25. Coach your daughter to be a lady.
26.Coach your son to tie a tie and polish his shoes - before he’s thirty.
27. Coach them that when you say no you mean no.
28. Coach them that it’s pretty great to kiss your wife.
29. Coach them that their very best friend ever will always be Jesus.
30. Coach them to call home if they’l be late - and to keep the battery charged on the cell phone.
31. Coach them to stand to alone.
32. Coach them that they aren’t followers - they are leaders.
33. Coach them that its better to be respected than popular.
34. Coach them that motherhood is the most important job in the world and definitely more important than a career.
35. Coach them that it’s a father’s job to provide for his family.
36. Coach them that God wants men to lead in the home and in the church.
37. Coach them to never give personal information to someone they don’t know on the phone.
38. Coach them that even if they do not make it to the NBA, they are going to have to do something else for the next forty years.
39. Coach them that good daddies hug and kiss but they also spank, and they make sure to hug and kiss after they spank.
40. Coach them to know what to look for in a husband.
41. Coach them to know what to look for in a wife.
42. Coach your daughter that both God and you think she is very, very, valuable - and she won’t act cheap.
43. Coach your son to keep his hands off his date.
44. Coach them how to handle a checking account by letting them have one when they are in high school.
45. Coach them to love people and use things - instead of the other way around.
46. Coach them to measure twice - and saw once.
47. Coach them that Daddy will never leave Mommy.
48. Coach them that the narrow way is always the best way.
49. Coach them that there is nothing they could ever do that would make you stop loving them.
50. Coach them that there is nothing they could ever do that would make God stop loving them.

Blog blessing Saturday

Seeing that I will be unable to post tomorrow, I am going to share the blessings from the blog one day early this week

1. "Faith by Hearing" is collecting an incredible amount of good audio content (and categorizing it for you).
2. Ever wanted to see Dr. Al Mohler's library (you will never guess how many books he has). See in it in a video (runs 50+ minutes) for the upcoming Together for the Gospel Conference. I hope to attend this conference next year. I am hoping some of you will join me.
3. One of the pastors of parenting at Covenant Life Church (where C. J. Mahaney and Josh Harris pastor) gave this talk last week on proactive parenting. Here are some follow-up questions for parents to discuss with each other and here are some for you to discuss with your children growing toward adulthood.
4. Abraham urges parents to tell your kids Bible stories like life depended on it.
5. A great quote when "bad" things happen to you and you want to blame God.
6. John Piper writes a stirring piece on the partial birth abortion ban by the Supreme Court. His brief quote (which is included in Justice Kennedy's paper) by a nurse observing the PBA procedure is absolutely heart-wrenching.
   
7. Read this letter that exposes a missionary's heart.
8. Some great deals here on books (and low shipping at that!). But the sale ends soon!