Lately, Kira and I have been reminding each other that parenting is one of the most challenging jobs in the world. I’m so glad that our church has a LIFE Group meeting twice a month, dedicated to parents learning from and supporting one another as they study the Bible together. What a blessing. Here is what I know…
Raising kids is a huge responsibility. It shapes not just our family but generations to come. As much as we try to figure it all out on our own, the reality is that none of us can do this job alone. We need the Lord’s help, guidance, strength, and mercy every day.
Hannah’s story, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1, reminds us that raising kids begins on our knees. I read the entire chapter before writing this article, and I encourage you to take the time to read it as well. It’s just 28 verses. Way before Samuel was born, Hannah poured her heart out to God in prayer. She was so emotional about it that Eli thought that she was drunk on wine. She prayed not just for a child, but that if she were to be blessed with one, she would dedicate it to the Lord. Her example teaches us that parenting is not about control but about surrendering to the Lord. We don’t own our children; they are a gift from the Lord. He entrusted them to us for a time, so that we could guide them toward Him who truly holds their future.
Every parent knows the weight of worry and the pressure of raising godly children in an ungodly world. That is why we must do what Hannah did. PRAY! Prayer acknowledges that we have limits and God is limitless. It humbles us when we pray for our children.
Pray for your kids. Pray that the Lord will guard their hearts, direct their steps, and shape their character. Pray that they will make good decisions and that they will rely on their faith to help them.
Raising kids in the Lord begins not with perfect parenting strategies (there’s no such thing). Raising kids begins with prayerful dependence. The more quality time we spend on our knees in prayer, the stronger we stand as parents.
PARENTING CHALLENGE APPLICATION:
This week, set aside five minutes each day to specifically pray for your children by name. Pray for their hearts, their friends, their future, and their faith. Let your children hear you pray for them out loud. It doesn’t need to be a long or fancy prayer; it just needs to be sincere. As Hannah’s story shows us, prayer is one of the most powerful parenting tools we have.
Blessings!
Alex Mills