Raising Godly Children | Part II

PRAY OVER THIS

“Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’”

1 Samuel 1:17

 

READ THIS

1 Samuel 1 tells the story of Hannah, a barren woman who wanted more than anything else to have a son. After much prayer, God gave Hannah a son named Samuel, who was considered one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Hannah’s story offers five powerful principles for raising godly children. Yesterday, we considered the first two; Hannah followed God’s priority for her and she was a praying mother.

The third principle of raising godly children is the Principle of Purpose: Hannah’s reason for wanting a child was to dedicate him back to God. She wanted to glorify God through her child. Our prayers for our children should not regard their wealth or power, but how they will glorify God.

The fourth is the Principle of Persistence. Hannah was a woman of prayer, but not just prayer easily uttered and soon forgotten. She continued to pray before and after this child was born. By her example, we learn to never waver in our prayers, no matter how dark the circumstances.

Finally, there’s the Principle of Persuasion. A mother makes the deepest impression on a child; her chief weapon in her arsenal is the influence she has over her children.

CONSIDER THIS

Hannah had the right purpose in mind with her desire for a child. How can we know if our desires are in line with God’s purposes or only our own?

Who have you been given influence over? How are you using this influence for God’s glory?

DO THIS

What is something you have persisted in prayer for or feel the need now to persist in prayer over? Continue or begin today a persistent pattern of prayer for this matter.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers