A Prayer for our Children and Grandchildren

3 John 2: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Every year in May, a typical part of our church calendar includes Mother’s Day and Baby Day. (This year it’s April 28.) If there was ever a prayer that a mother or grandmother would pray for their child (grandchild), it would be that which is printed above. In an effort to nurture them so they realize all the aspects that prayer includes, since moms tend to be very strong influences in children’s lives, I thought I would expose you to 7 emotional skills every child needs. These are addressed more, at length, in the book by Pam Galbraith & Rachel C. Hoyer, by the same title. Many of the things Satan uses to work against individuals lays in the area of emotions. So these can go far in helping our kids and grandkids grow up into being responsible, stable young adults. And as we all know, our influence of our kids doesn’t end when they leave home. While it may take time and effort in planting these seeds in your child’s heart, seed-planting is about all we can do. The soil that the child(ren) furnish in making it mature and grow is ultimately between them and God.
The first emotional skill every child needs is RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY. The kind of parenting style God can use best is that of authoritative, rather than authoritarian. I believe authoritarian parenting style comes most natural to us as parents. But our respect for authority must be proper as well, for our offspring pick up our character traits. The second e.s.e.c.needs is DELAYED GRATIFICATION. This one coincides with the fruit of the Spirit, self-control. We cannot always have everything we want right NOW. This one will effect their spending (future), their eating, their use of words, anger, sexuality. Effects a lot doesn’t it? And then it effects how they ‘wait on God,’ for various things in their life, and realizing the importance of that. The third e.s.e.c.needs is SELF-AWARENESS. It is paying attention to the things we feel or think. It’s a conscious awareness of what is going on inside us. The fourth e.s.e.c.needs is EMPATHY. This one will deal with their compassionate side. It deals with learning to handle our personal distress and caring about what others face as well and reaching out to them. The fifth e.s.e.c.needs is SOCIAL AWARENESS. This need result in their giving appreciation (gratitude), teaching the value of reconciliation (I’m sorry), apologizing and forgiving, and other social graces. The sixth emotional skill every child needs is MOTIVATION AND PERSISTENCE. Strong-willed children don’t need too much encouragement here, but going to work when you don’t feel up to par is often necessary. I think you get what I mean. That motivation for fulfilling out responsibilities is vital for them to succeed in life and be a strong testimony for God. And the last emotional skill every child needs is HOPE. They need to learn how to live each day to its fullest….how to respond to discouragement, overcoming depression and cynicism, etc. The thing that will enable them to utilize these to the max is if you teach them INTIMACY WITH GOD. Experiencing the reality of Christ’s Presence is the undergirding foundation that will allow them to blossom into all God has in His mind for them to become. When we show them how to respond to God’s grace, He will build them into the responsible, stable, life-loving young adults He want them to be. So enjoy planting the seeds and watch God work right before your very eyes.