PASSING ON THE BATON, NO. 1 continued

Men, it is a true saying that we are only one generation away from degeneration. It is also true that we are only one generation away from regeneration. There should be no reason why the next generation should not be greater than the present generation. However, if we do not do certain things to facilitate regeneration, the next generation could be lost.

1. PRAYER
Most of important of all, we must pray for the generations to come. Just as seed in the ground requires a daily supply of water in order to germinate, in the same way, without sufficient prayer the next generation will become weak in Christian values.

Paul understood this importance of praying constantly for the new believers. He wrote to the Colossian believers, "For this cause we . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9).

PRAYER BRINGS GOD INTO THE SITUATION

We parents can worry and fret about the spiritual state of our children and grandchildren, but this does not change anything. We must call upon the Lord on their behalf. Praying parents and grandparents are the great backbone and strength of all successful godly parenting. Prayer can change any situation because prayer moves the right hand of God as we pray fervently and in faith.

Thank God for praying parents who are not too busy to pray--parents who will . . .

Pray with fervency (James 5:16-18). Don't be casual about it.

Pray with faith (Mark 11:23, 24 and Luke 17:6).

Pray with thanksgiving, praising God for His divine power to correct and soften the hardest heart (Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Pray continually (Luke 11:8 and Ephesians 6:18). 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." Many times we do not see answers because we do not continue in prayer.

Pray through until the answer is evident (1 Kings 18:42-46). Don't give up.

There is ample evidence throughout the church that moral standards are falling. In some cases it is gradual and in other cases it is happening more rapidly. I am observing that college age and into the twenties is a very vulnerable age. They are influenced by peers and often questionable boundaries.

Prayer is most needed at this time of our history for multiplicity of situations in the world, but Christian parents must be awakened to their absolute and urgent responsibility to pray fervently for their own family. If we fail in this area of prayer we fail to bring God to breathe His Spirit upon our offspring and therefore fail seriously in our parenting.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell