James 5;16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Men, the only way to have our hearts turned towards our children to the degree that God looks for can only happen through prayer.
If our hearts are not concerned for our children,
if we do not care much about the choices they make in life,
if we do not earnestly endeavor to come alongside them to encourage them in the right direction,
if we are indifferent towards their need of help (whatever that may be),
if we allow them to do whatever they want, go wherever they wish, watch and read whatever they want, and keep whatever company they desire,
if we try to do the right thing, but because of constant resistance we give up for the sake of peace,
if we find our hearts growing cold and indifferent towards them,
if we have given up earnestly praying for them—
WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE POWER OF EARNEST PRAYER!
Before we can expect the right changes to take place in our children’s hearts and lives, we need to first have our own hearts softened and turned toward them. Our own hardness of heart towards them, because of their rebellion etc., can be the biggest hindrance to our children’s hearts being turned back to God’s ways.
I am not staying we should not be resistant towards sin (their sin and our own). However, what I am saying is that our children must FEEL and know more than ever our tender love toward them. Unfortunately, I often find that our severity and abhorrence towards their sin can be the biggest barrier to their healing and restoration. I believe we must never allow hardness to overtake our loving hearts. For this we must pray earnestly.
Our own attitude towards sin must never hinder our love for the sinner.
James 5:15 states: “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell