Young Children Raised in Christian Homes

by Lois Breneman, © 2004, Revised 2009, Heart to Heart

 

We have all heard dramatic testimonies of those who were miraculously changed by the Lord after having lived far from God in various types of deep sin.  We marvel at God's saving grace and their amazing testimony and thank Him for rescuing each one.

 

Some of us who were raised in Christian homes from birth and had asked Jesus into our lives as young children haven't seen as dramatic a change.  Some feel short-changed, because they may think what a boring and lack-luster testimony they have.  However in reading Psalm 119:1-16, we can be very thankful for the Lord's protection in our young lives!  But, of course, the Lord loves us no more or less than those whom He rescued as a teen or adult from an ungodly life.

 

We mothers all want to save our children from heartaches and pain, that might have happened, had they grown up without the teaching from the Word of God.  It is my prayer that all of our children walk with the Lord from an early age, and remain close by His side. 

 

Wrap these scriptures from Psalm 119 around your young children in prayer, as you teach them diligently, while you sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down and rise up - in other words as you train them at all times.  Help them to memorize these verses below to remain with them forever.

 

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with their whole heart.  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.  Thou hast commanded to keep thy precepts diligently.  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements.  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.  Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will direct myself in thy statutes:  I will not forget thy word." -- Psalm 119:1-16 

 

Sometimes, no matter what we do as parents, our children who accepted Christ as a child, may still stray from Him, because of their own choices in life.  If that happens, and it may, never give up praying for that child's return to full fellowship with the Lord. 

 

As parents of a wayward child, it is vital that we always do these three things:

1) Keep the doors of communication open
2) Love your children unconditionally
3) Pray constantly for our children. 
    Never give up praying!  God does answer prayer! 

 

Books about Prodigals:

1) Good News About Prodigals and Those Who Love Them by Tom Bisset

2) Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait by Ruth Bell Graham

3) Rebel with a Cause by Franklin Graham

4) Come Back, Barbara by C. John Miller and Barbara Miller Juliani

5) For more suggestions, do an Internet search on "Books on Prodigals."