I got to thinking about this one day after a conversation with an old friend. This couple had lost custody of their children for good. It has been a hard decision to live with. I can only imagine. I think a loving parent’s worst nightmare is to lose their children whether it be to death or to someone else’s custody.
What can you do once the papers are signed and you have no more rights?
I’ll tell you. You can do one of the most important things anyone could do for another person period. It’s probably the only thing you can do for your child now, but don’t be discouraged that it is all you can do. It’s real, it moves mountains, it makes the difference in the lives of others – so do it for your child. What is it?
Prayer.
The rest of this post is for all parents and for anyone else who holds someone close to their heart. One of most meaningful things ever said to me was by my Grandma when she told me that she and my Grandpa prayed for me (as well as other family members) every single day.
Pray for your child. Pray for their present and their future. If you know Jesus as your Savior and are praying according to his revealed will in the bible then you can know that He hears you and that He cares! James 5:16 says “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” I am emphasizing the last part of that verse.
I John 5: 13-15 assures us as Christians that, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” [Emphasis mine.]
Below are three things you might need to consider before you go to God expecting Him to answer your prayers.
1. Examine yourself. Do you know God personally?
The bible says in I Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” [Emphasis mine.]
2. Be sure you are not trying to hide sin from God.
Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
James 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” [iniquity is another word for sin]
Isaiah 30:9 “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:”
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
The law of God was given to mankind to show us all that on our own we are spiritually and eternally helpless people in God’s eyes. Romans 3:23 confirms our status, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Whether you’ve broken many of God’s commands or even just ONE you and I are as guilty in God’s eyes as if we have disobeyed God in every single area. Sin isn’t just a matter of doing wrong – it’s a matter of not doing what is right and it is an issue of the heart and mind too. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
The good news!
Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
God knows we cannot obey God’s commands 100% and that is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to fulfill the law Himself in human form. He took on flesh, born of a woman and lived a perfect life so that He could die as our perfect sin substitute. It was the only way God would accept us. God Himself (Emmanuel) had to shed his blood and die – He is the perfect Lamb of God. He rose three days later conquering sin and death.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
See more about how to be saved at the end of this post.
3. Christian, are you praying according to God’s will or your own?
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (I John 5:14-15)
Do you wonder what God’s will is? You will find it in His word. Be sure you are reading your bible daily so you get to know God better and understand what His will is. Remember, God’s will is the same for everyone, but his plan for our lives can vary.
How do I pray for my child? What should I ask God for regarding him or her?
Part 2 will be encouragement from scripture as to how you can specifically
pray for your children according to God’s will.
A final note to the parent who cannot raise their own child.
They may not be “your” children physically, legally. You can’t watch them grow up. But none of that can change the fact that they are made of you (dad) or were carried in your womb (mom). They will always be “your” children from that perspective. It’s a done deal that can never be undone. But you can make a huge difference in their lives through your faith and trust in God as you pray for God’s perfect will and favor to be over your child.
On a similar note but from a different perspective I want to share this:
A Letter to Baby L’s Momma written by Baby L’s temporary foster mother.
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A message about salvation.
If you don’t know Jesus you don’t know God. They are the same person. Jesus is the only hope this world has. Please take a few minutes to read through the booklet below and consider receiving Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today! You will never regret it. It is truly the most important decision you will ever make.
You may care to read Part Two: 5 Things I pray for my Children.
