Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
This passage of scripture recounts for us the prayers that were offered continually by Job on behalf of his children. The Bible tells us that children are the heritage of the Lord, and happy is the man who has his quiver full of them, but we should not therefore conclude that the raising of children would be a easy, for it is often found to be a bitter-sweet experience. As children grow, the propensities of the carnal heart begin to set in, and a very terrible struggle ensues as they try to decipher right from wrong, and as they endeavor to choose good over evil. This tug of war takes place in the minds of all children, and adults, for no one is exempt.
However, there are several proactive steps that as parents we can take in our efforts to save our children from the negative results of indulgence in sin, prominent among which is prayer. Job recognized the need to pray for his children, for very often the youth do not find the time, nor do they have the desire, neither do they see the need of prayer, and so someone has to take the lead, and this responsibility falls to the parents, especially the fathers.
What is very worthy of note in Job's experience is that, according to the passage of scripture, he was not certain that his children had sinned, for apparently he was not present as they went partying with friends and fellow siblings, yet he prayed preemptively to stave off as far as possible, the temptations and sins that are incidental to teenagers and young adults. Christian parents often do not know for certain what their children are doing all the time, and thus like Job, we should pray and pray and pray, for the Bible teaches us that the effectual prayer of a righteous man or woman availeth much.
As we press our petitions to God's throne of grace in sincerity and genuine concern for the salvation of our children, He listens and then sets in motion, heavenly agencies and earthly circumstances and experiences that arouse the attention of the youth in spiritual things and eternal interests, and if they respond to God's gracious overtures to save them, He gives them a greater measure of His Holy spirit so that they may be enabled to live righteously and soberly in this present world. Let's read:
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
But we must pray and pray and pray. Too often as christian parents we allow the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to becloud our minds as to the needs of our children who are naturally prone to do evil, and so it is often the case that they start slipping on the downward path, without anyone taking notice.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that calls not only parents, but also children and young adults to call upon the name of the Lord everyday and in all situations, for the hand of omnipotence is only a prayer away. Let's read:
Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 6 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
May this passage be the theme of our song as we endeavor to train our children for this world and the next. "Good night" and God bless!