Do You Desire To Bring Your Child Into The Kingdom?

It's hard enough to be a Christian parent in this world. How do we combat the forces of evil while at the same time raise our children to desire to walk in God's light? By seeking His face, His Word and inspiration from each other as we stumble through this parenting process together. You will find all the instruction, encouragement and resources you need right here at The Greatest Mission Trip You'll Ever Take to help you be the most effective witness to your child that God would have you be. Look around and come back often. Let's learn together.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Inspiring Families - Praying Blessings To The Third Generation

I was on my way to the sanctuary one busy Sunday morning, hoping to secure our usual seats (you know how everybody is about their seats) when I heard my name called out. Carmie Spenn managed to maneuver her way through the crowd, digging a piece of paper out of her Bible. On it was a very short explanation of how her and her husband Ted used to pray over their boys at night. Let me tell you, the story is long on meaning.

In typical humility, Carmie began her note: “I was just going to share with you a little blessing that we would pray over each of our sons all the while they were growing up and were home.”

She continued with their prayer. “’May Jesus bless you and keep you with long life, good health, and a heart that loves and serves the Lord.’ We would lay our hands on them and speak these words out loud every night that they were with us, whether they were asleep or awake.”

Can you see these two parents gently sitting on or standing over their sons’ beds, praying this blessing upon their children? Ted and Carmie didn’t just pray for their children, they prayed over them, night after night, the same prayer, probably for 18-20 years. Wouldn’t a child get tired of hearing the same thing every night for eighteen or twenty years?

“Later when Jacob had moved into his dorm room at college I found those words taped to the head of his bed. To this day they are also on a card in Jon’s Bible.” The sweet sound those words must have been in those boys’ ears. And how much they must have learned as they felt the warmth of their parent’s hand pressed against them.

It gets even more wonderful. Carmie shares, “Jacob is doing the same thing for his children today [Jon is not married].” Passing the legacy down, blessing the third generation of those who love God and keep His commandments. Obedience demonstrated in a nightly moment carried out with diligence, consistency and a godly love. How rich this family is!

Do you have a blessing you pray over your children, or that was prayed over you as a child? Please, share it with us.

4 comments:

Denyse said...

What an encouragement! Stumbled upon this blog through "Best Posts" site, and now I'm a fan. I'll be checking back regularly!

Deb Burton said...

Denyse, I'm humbled by your comment and thankful to be of encouragement to you. I love that you're here!

Brenda Salzano said...

my two children are grown now, but every night, I prayed with my children. I started when they were old enough to kneel and put their hands together. Now, they follow the voice of God in their own lives, and I continue my prayers for them. I lift them up to the Father and say, "God, these are your children. I do not know what is best for them, but you know. I want the best for them, but most important is not their physical comfort but their close relationship with you."
My children lost their dad to a drunk driver when they were 8 yrs, and 9 months. Son, and my daughter. The Lord was with us every day, and always. Thank you Deb for touching lives.

Deb Burton said...

Salzanos, your comment has touched my heart. What a testimony you've just offered. Thank you so much for sharing what praying over and with your children meant to you and your family. God bless.