Protecting our Promise, our Children

Submitted by Sharon Gray-Brewster

While watching a classic movie of the birth of Jesus with the family, my son burst into tears during a scene where Herod declared all of the babies be killed, out of his own fear that the King of the Jews had been born. My son cried at the idea of such cruelty, but his tears reminded me that whenever there’s a deliverer or need for deliverance such decrees often take place. Before Jesus' time, I’m reminded of Moses being set off in a basket into the water by his mother, and his sister Miriam watching to be sure he made it safely across after an edict from the Pharaoh to kill all male Hebrew infants. With the recent explosion of violence against children world wide, I wonder God where is the deliverer for this season, for this generation--and intercede for the safety and purpose of children.

Recently, the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, and the stabbing of 22 children in China rocked the emotions and feelings of safety for children and parents across the globe. Our hearts go out to the grieving families and communities impacted by these violent acts. Our prayers and thoughts are with them as well.

In times like these, we ought to pray for: 

1. Our children and their purpose 
2. Deliverance
3. Insight on protecting our children and their divine purpose through prayer

While violence is unpredictable, I heard a preacher recently say at a funeral that death has an appointed time. She used an illustration of a man and his servant who were on vacation, but the servant felt uneasy and decided to leave the trip. Death visited the man and asked where his servant was because he had an appointment with him later. The minister continued to explain we couldn't control when it will be our time, but we can be ready. As parents, we must teach our children to be ready and also to protect them with prayer, guidance and understanding their purpose.

Learn more on praying for your children with tips on praying daily with them as well as what to pray for (i.e. safety, alertness and knowing right from wrong) with scripture references.

Don and Sue Myers explain the greatest shield of protection we can provide for our children is prayer in "A Parent's daily Prayer Guide."
http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/essentials/praying-for-your-children/a-parents-daily-prayer-guide#.UOUCao6LEqc

About the author
Sharon has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She combines her experience as an art director, understanding of healthy child development and therapeutic interventions to offer interactive art and talk therapy to clients. Sharon is a wife and mother who is passionate about family life and early childhood development and education. Sharon is known for her commitment to God, excellence and family; comedic wit and ability to empathize with others. "Love you to life!"