May 1

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:16-17 (NIV)

The world and all its enticements are very attractive to our children.  If we're open and honest, there are some things that are attractive to us as well.  "The greater our weakness and trials for Christ, the more grace God will give to accomplish his will.  What he gives is always sufficient for us to live our daily lives, to work for him, and to endure our suffering and thorns in the flesh" (Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes). 

Getting our children to realize that the desires of the world pass away, but the wages of sin is death, should be a priority.  There is a saying that "only what's done for Christ will last" and we need to make sure that our children have this etched in their brains.  The real reward lies in doing the will of God...the reward of eternal life.

Dear Lord, we pray that our children will not fret "because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong, for like the grass they will soon wither".  They will trust in the Lord and do good; they will delight in You and You will give them the desires of their hearts.  We pray that all their ways are committed to You...our children shall do the will of God.  In Jesus name, Amen!