Psalms 127:3-5 NKJV
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”
INSIGHT
-Children are of great value to God from the moment of conception and even before. Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us of God’s word that says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” God therefore, cherishes each child, unborn and born, because we are all created in His image and likeness. Abortion is therefore condemned for it ignores the value of life in the womb. Children are gifts from God and care is entrusted upon their parents. God expects parents and guardians to value their children, generously love and forgive them, teach them Bible-based spiritual and moral truth, model the highest principles for living, develop their character and individual personalities, and pray for them.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father we thank You for this day that You have made we rejoice and are glad in it. We appreciate You for Your are kind and merciful unto us, our families and our nation. We know that You are doing a new thing for the glory of Your name. We repent all the sins and iniquities that we have committed. We repent on behalf of our families, children and all those who have committed abortion. We repent on behalf of our leaders, churches and nation may You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood. May You bless all our children and keep them safe from every scheme of the enemy. May Your mercy and blessings be upon all those are waiting on You for the fruit of the womb and and fill their quivers. May You be exulted in every family and make every crooked path straight. We praise You and honor You, and it is in Jesus Mighty name we pray believing and trusting. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 54:13
Ephesians 6:4 NIV
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle Paul demystifies the value of proper and godly parenting. His emphasis is on bringing up the children in the training and admonition of the Lord. This does not mean merely scolding one’s children in the sense of admonition leading to discouragement but training in Christlikeness.
PRAYER
We praise You Lord for You are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty. You wrap Yourself in light as with a garment and stretch out the heavens like a tent and lay the beams of Your upper chambers on their waters. You make the clouds Your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind. How great are You Lord Almighty, God of our salvation. We thank You for the gift of children and exalt Your name. How great are You in all the heavens and the earth. May You guide our children in Your way of truth and the fear of the Lord. May You grant us the wisdom to bring up our children in Your training and instructions. We ask for Your help and blessings in all our endeavors. May You provide for all parents school fees, food, shelter, clothing and all their needs. May You deliver all children from the snares of the enemy whose work is to kill, steal and destroy. May Your name be praised and magnified. We honor You Lord and praise Your name, in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Hebrews 12:5-11
John 16:21 NIV
“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”
INSIGHT
-A woman when she is in travail normally has sorrow, because her hour has come, but as soon as she has delivered of her child, she remember her anguish no more, and rejoices in the blessings the Lord has brought forth. Before she goes into labor; she gives birth, before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son (Isaiah 66:7). It is then vital to pray for all pregnant women even as they wait on the Lord for protection and a safe delivery.
PRAYER
Abba Father we thank You and honor You for You are Good and Your mercies endures forever. You created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. You created the sea, the skies, galaxies, the trees, mountains and everything in the heavens and on the earth, for You are Great and greatly to be praised. God You created mankind upright but they have gone in search of many schemes, may You forgive us. We call on You Lord Jesus to protect all pregnant women and grant them Your grace in their pregnancy journey that they may deliver their children safely. May You bless all women who desire their own children that You may open their wombs and grant them the gift of children at their appointed time. May You provide for all their families needs like You provided for Hagar and Ishmael in their distress. May You open all our doors and grant all our hearts desires that our joy may be complete. We bless Your name and honor You and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Isaiah 26:17-19, Hosea 13:13-14
Proverbs 22:6 NIV
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
INSIGHT
–Parents and guardians are assigned the unique role of helping their children discover how God has equipped them and to guide them in the ways of the Lord. Through guidance on the word of God, prayer, worship and fellowship with their children, children are able to know God from an early age. Parents are also entrusted to help their children discover their purpose and path in life and how they can use their gifts in a positive way as adults. Children left to their own ways are not likely to change and when the become adults may choose the wrong path. The story of Ruth and Orpah is a tale of mankind’s enormous potential for accomplishment and the incredibly high stakes involved depending how he uses that potential. Given the choice, Ruth followed Naomi and became the great grand mother of Jesus through Boaz while Orpah returned to Moab and was forgotten (Ruth 1:9-19).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus we thank You and honor You for You are our God and none can be likened to You. You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, our Redeemer and Savior. We thank You for Your everlasting love upon us, our children and families. Dear Lord You have said in Your word that all our children shall be taught by You Lord and great shall be their peace, may You train them in Your ways dear Lord Jesus. May Your name be exulted even through them. May Your purposes for which You formed them be accomplish for the glory and honor of Your name. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: 1 Samuel 1:21-28, Isaiah 54:13
Matthew 18:1-5 NKJV
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
INSIGHT
–The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus already chosen one of them as the greatest, or as if they wanted Jesus to decide among them. Jesus explains the value of humility in the kingdom of heaven by demonstration of a little child who is innocent and meek, and not concerned about the social status. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Applying the such humility therefore allows one the chance to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and to inherit it.
SUMMARY
Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalms 127:3-5). A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come, but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world (John 16:21). Parents are start their children on the way they should go guided by the Lord and when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). Fathers are cautioned from exasperating their children but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank Your everlasting love upon us and our children. We humbly ask You to forgive us all our sins, iniquities and transgressions and wash us with Your precious blood. May You and protect our children and guide them in the way they should go. May You help all parents to offer parental care and guidance that only come from You. May Your mercy reach all those who are waiting on You for spouses and children, for Your glory Lord. May You bless our nation and reign over everyone, and everything that only Your will may prevail. May You bless us and keep us dear Lord Jesus. May You shine Your face towards us and be gracious unto us. May You show Your countenance unto us and give us peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Further reading: Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 18:10