Let's start out with a game. Without cheating (meaning you can't phone a friend especially if that friend is named Google,) who can guess what song these opening lyrics belong to? Ready? Here we go:
Clue #1
"The times are tough now, just getting tougher
This old world is rough, it's just getting rougher"
Has anyone got it yet? Ok, we will do two more clues.
Clue #2
The song album was released in 1984 (one of the best musical decades EVER!)
Did that help? Ok, final clue.
Clue #3
The artist was born in New Jersey which means he was "Born in the USA."
And the answer is (silent drum roll in your head, please)..."Cover Me" by Bruce Springsteen.
This song, written over 30 years ago, is still pretty spot on. The times ARE tough and they are just getting TOUGHER. What are we to do to protect our children when every day brings new headlines of the terror of ISIS or the last 24-hour death toll in St. Louis, or another missing child, another child left in a hot car, another church shooting, theater shooting, highway shooting? And the list goes on.
There is one type of parenting that seems to be more and more prevalent these days. It's not even really a "method." I say it's a type of parenting because parents are doing it. The catch generally is they aren't even aware that they are. There's even a name for this type of parent. They are called "helicopter parents."
Here is the official definition: "a parent who takes an overprotective or excessive interest in the life of their child or children." The repercussions are "an over-indulged generation lacking in resilience." I will discuss this in more detail in another post as I want to use this post to primarily focus on the single, greatest, and most important thing you can do aside from introducing your child to Jesus. What is that? The answer is praying for your child. Instead of being a "hover" parent, be a "cover parent." Cover your child in prayers. Every. Single. Day.
What does the Bible say about prayer?
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
Matthew 21:22 "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."
And for parents who tend to give into worry (like me), remember what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." If we turn to the Lord and trust in Him for the small things, why wouldn't we trust Him with the big things - like our children?
I believe that next to His grace, our children are the greatest, most beautiful gifts He gives us. I am far from perfect in every aspect of my life including my role as a mom. But I want my children to know that I pray for them. All the time. About everything from test scores to their health. From their friends they choose to their future spouse they may not have even met yet. From a good day at school to safe travels wherever they may be going. I pray that not only do they live their faith but that they also share their faith. I pray for the struggles they are going through and for the ones they don't even realize they have.
My children, all of them, be they bio, bonus, or unofficially "adopted," know they are loved - immensely and immeasurably. But I want them to also know they are prayed for. They are "covered" until the day the Lord calls me home.
I will try to post some links for prayers parents can pray for their children. These are just to help you if you need it but remember, praying is just having a conversation with the Lord. They don't have to be fancy. Just talk to Him. That's all He asks.
Now for some follow-up on my first post, "TD 7" -
How are you doing on giving God your first fruits of the day? I admit - it can be hard. I have discovered the way I can do it is to just get up earlier than everyone else. It's quiet and well, once others are up, my day gets rolling in my other roles - wife, mother, employee. That being said, I firmly believe the "snooze" button was invented by Satan!
On another note pertaining to "TD 7" -
We traveled to our son's AFROTC Field Training graduation on August 11th. I found out at that time, that on Training Day 7, the day I wrote my post because I was really missing him and thinking about him and therefore turning to the Lord with my feelings, our son was so dehydrated he had to have two bags of IV fluids. But the Lord looked after him and he was able to continue on in his field training. He was even bumped up a few points in his ranking for his warrior spirit in battling through the dehydration that was so bad every limb was cramping including his fingers in angles not natural to the human body. I know it wasn't a coincidence that I wrote about "TD 7" on the same day this was happening as there are no coincidences with God! I thank the Lord for bringing him through it and am continually amazed at all the ways God communicates with us.
Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you safe!
Tracy
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/8-great-bible-verses-to-pray-over-your-child/
https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/31-biblical-virtues-to-pray-for-your-children/
