Before I wrote my book called- A Shattered Life Restored, I had always dreamed of having a son; I even gave him a name-David. I would many times be rubbing my hand over my stomach and declaring things over his life, praying against what plans the devil could potentially plot against his life when he comes.
How many of us parents think that far ahead to pray for our children even before they enter the womb? God will hold us accountable for the child/children he gives to us, as all have a purpose that should bring glory to his name and edify his people. No one is here just to exist.
So what are our spiritual roles as parents? Well I have concluded that they fall into three major categories:
Praying for them
Teaching them the ways of the Lord
Lead by example
When do we as parents begin to pray for our children?
Conception is a great place to start, but if we have been reading the bible and saw how the devil wanted to kill our saviour when he heard about his coming and his purpose, we would follow Simeon and Anna's examples, who were praying for Jesus' safe arrival long before he came into the world. (Read Luke 2:25-38)
In my newest book- A Shattered Life Restored Meg understood this and was seen all throughout the book praying and declaring the promises of God over her unborn child's life.
Meg experienced a lot of warfare for her son's life as well and prayer had to be a strong part of her life.
As parents, we sometimes don't know the miracle we are carrying and need to be prayerful over that child before he/she enters the world. It is our responsibility to be praying for the will of God to manifest in their life and for God to build a hedge of protection around them even in the womb. The devil can strike your child even from the womb.
If the devil went after our saviour knowing His purpose for coming into the world, do you think he isn't coming after your children too? As I said before we all have an important role in being born. God never created people to just exists. Don't speak negative words to your children out of anger-you are bring curses on them.
When do we begin to teach them the ways of the Lord?
We are commanded in Proverbs 22:6 (King James Version) to: 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'
This tells us that we should start at the same time we send them off to preschool or kindergarten. Jesus, though He was God in the flesh, showed us the importance of this with one reference in ( Luke 2:41-52 KJV) where He was always seen in the temple listening and asking questions at a young age-growing in wisdom and the favour of God.
Why is it important for us as parents to do this?
It isn't so you can shield them from the enticements of the world, but to equip them for ministry so they can be a light to others, standing strong in the will of God. It is also to prepare them if and when they fall to know where to turn and to know what to do.
In A Shattered Life Restored Meg's son, David, like many of our children, even though taught in the ways of the Lord, in his teenage years, through curiosity fell away from God. His parents went on fasting and prayer for his deliverance and after they had a talk with him, it was knowing what they had taught him in the word that reminded him of God's promise in 1 John 1:9
We as parents have to be prepared that there will be times when we won't be around to tell them what to do or stand in prayers for them, and they will have to rely on what you taught them.
God will hold us accountable as well if we see our children doing wrong and don't reprimand them or try to guide them from walking down the wrong path.
How do you lead by example?
Everything you do should demonstrate that you are living for Christ. When you go to pray, call them to pray with you even if they are unable to do so at a young age, let them listen. When you get upset and say thing you regret, if they see you in that moment call them when you apologize to whomever you offend. Whether its someone real or the invisible God. Show them from your day to day activities in spending time in the presence of God or fellowshipping with others. Best to lead by example.
Are you fulfilling your spiritual role in the lives of your children?
Would you like to read the first five chapters from this book?