One of the prayers I prayed for my kids when they were young sounded something like this: “Heavenly Father, please teach my children to fear You.”
Fearing God didn’t mean they’d be afraid of Him. It meant they’d develop deep reverence for Him. I figured that proper respect for Him as a holy, all-wise, all-powerful, and loving God would influence every thought, conversation, relationship, priority, and decision. It wouldn’t guarantee an easy life, but it would safeguard them against making regrettable choices, and it would lead to intimacy with the Lord. And isn’t intimacy with God more precious than any earthly treasure we could ever hope to possess?
My kids are now married. Most of my prayers for them have changed with their circumstances. One prayer, however, remains the same – that they’ll walk in the fear of the Lord. I remain convinced that this is foundational to fruitful godly living.
Psalm 25:12-14 says, “Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the Promised Land. Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.” (NLT)
Fearing the Lord is the sure way to experience His blessings—to see His guidance, to flourish in every area of life, and to see the next generation inherit the Promised Land. Friendship with the living God opens the door to His sharing His secrets with us. Can you imagine anything more precious and transformational?
#bgbg2 #FearGod #ChristianDevotions
I love spending time with God. He knows everything, why wouldn’t anyone want to know HIM?
Lord I pray for those who don’t know you or who have never heard of you. I pray that doors will open and people will walk into their lives and share light in their very dark lives. Let their be “Hope Coaches” that send out HOPE to those who have no hope. Father, thank you for being an intimate God. Remove the scales from those whose eyes are blind. Open the ears of those whose ears are deaf. Lord I pray especially for the younger generation and our own children, they need you so desperately. Protect them! Protect their minds and actions from the enemy. Do not let them be led into temptation, deliver them from evil. Protect them from bad company that corrupts good character. Help them to have hearts that love people and love you God. Yes Lord help our children and their children and their children and …. to fear you. We ask this in Jesus precious Holy name, Amen and amen.!
Thanks for this prayer for our kids, Debbie. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of the wisdom–if our kids are wise, they’ll do well. And that’s what our “mother hearts” desire, right? That’s what God desires for them too.