Parents and children

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Rosemary and I were at a conference recently where we were told that 85% of Canadian children do not know Christ.  Compare that to the parable of "The Lost Sheep" where the shepherd left the 99 to search for the one that was lost - it's like leaving 15 to search for the 85!  Perhaps even more discouraging is that the majority of children who ARE in the church will leave it in their teens and twentys.  As parents we worry and pray every day that our children will walk with God their entire lives.  But the world exerts an in credible pull on them to reject the faith.  You may be in the midst of this struggle, or like us trying to prevent it.  Or you may not have children of your own, but you see this going on around you.  Please offer this prayer today for parents and children.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

God, we pray today for parents who are enduring the onslaught of discouragement over the choices of their children. 

Give them hope that your promises are never defeated, and that you can make a way through dark places when there seems to be no light. 

Give them, today, sound wisdom to know specifically how love for their child needs to be expressed. 

Then give them the same tomorrow, and then the day after. 

Give them endurance to hope beyond hope. Give them courage, and surprising joy. 

We pray also for the children who are wandering from the ways of wisdom. 

We pray today that they will return. 

Lead them home, coaxing their desires, compelling their dreams, and frustrating their rebellions. 

And when they do make even the smallest step homeward we will welcome them and celebrate the victory. 

God, you are a perfect father, THE Father. We know you share this desire with us. 

Bring our sons and daughters home! We hear your promises and we hold on to them as we hold on to you, and at the same time release our children into your care. 

In Jesus' name. Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.