Pray for your children

I awoke this morning with a heavy heart as I was thinking about the students in our church! I was thinking about the young man from Clay High School who took his life yesterday. I could not help but wonder what would bring a young man who had so much life to look forward to, to this point where he decided that it just wasn’t worth it.
I have been thinking a lot about our students. When they make it to High School sometimes it is hard for us to think of them as children, but they are! I know that they are capable of doing and thinking like an adult, but this transitional time in their lives sometimes proves to be overwhelming! I have the privilege to work with and minister to the greatest generation to ever live One characteristic of this generation is that they are searching...they are looking for significance, trying to figure out where they fit into the grand scheme of things. They are looking at us, checking us out trying to see if our relationship with Christ is real. They watch us to see how we deal with situations and circumstances. How are you doing as your child’s parent?
Many of our students are going through life and they are not being covered by one of the greatest tools that our Lord has given to us! Most go through life with out someone praying for them daily! We as parents need to live our lives in constant prayer for our children! They need to know that they are being prayed for. We need to let them know how much they mean to us! We need to take time to pray for our children’s friends! I don’t have to tell you how quickly our children grow up. In reality we have a limited time to shape their future. I want you to know that I think this is the most important thing that we do as parents!
Sometimes it is easy for us to get caught up in the routine of life and we get so busy providing for and getting through that we miss some of the most important aspects of parenting. As believers we have a responsibility to “train up a child”! This training includes their spiritual development. As your Student’s pastor I want to come along side and shore up the principles that you are already teaching. You may say Brother Jeff, it is to late for us! We have missed the opportunity! I want to tell you that it is not to late! Admit the mistakes you have made to your children and from this day forward make your child’s spiritual development first and foremost!
Pray for your children! Lift them before the Lord now! Involve them in the work of the Lord! Encourage them to be involved in missions and causes that Honor our Lord. Ensure that they are a part of Bible Study! Have a family Bible study! And pray!