April 28

Lord, teach my child to resolve misunderstandings according to Your word.  And if any division has already begun, if any relationship is already strained or severed, Lord, I pray that You will drive out the wedge of division and bring healing.  Give him/her a heart of forgiveness and reconciliation.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The best way to teach our children about forgiveness is to model it!  Whewww, CONVICTION!!While a lot of us would like to rip out every scripture pertaining to forgiveness of our enemies; the bottom line is God forgives us, so we must forgive others. 

When someone wrongs our children, we want them held accountable.  OK, I'm just going to speak for myself; I want to deal with them according to my not-so-lovingkindness!  Nevertheless, as we grow and mature in Christ, we ought to resolve misunderstandings according to God's word.  If it means he/she must humble themselves and apologize for the sake of the relationship; it's not important to be right so much as it is important to be righteous.  Our children should be able to "extend the olive branch", because of the branch (cross) that Jesus died upon.  The great thing about forgiveness and reconciliation is that it's more for the forgiver than the one forgiven.  Once we seek resolution for a situation and forgive regarding the matter; we are free to heal. 

Heavenly Father, it's important that we operate in forgiveness.  We know that just as Your forgive us, so we ought also, to forgive others.  Let us show and teach our children early, that the sooner he/she can forgive and move on; the sooner the healing process can begin.  Lord, show my child(ren) that it may also be necessary to end some relationships in lieu of trying to continue them...especially if the relationship is doing more harm than good!  The bible says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  Our prayer is that our children will live peaceably so that goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!

April 22

"Our business ain't every body's business"!  The problem with that, is oftentimes our business is discussed/argued among young, impressionable ears who remember everything.  By the time most children are ten years old, they can tell you everything about everybody in the family and more than likely have an opinion about them (albeit, the opinion is based on bias). 

It is our responsibility to make sure our child(ren) always respect their elders...especially family members.  If we see a crack or know of any unresolved issues; we cannot allow it to fester, we must address it immediately.   There is a wealth of knowledge, history and pride within our families and we do our children a terrible disservice when we don't nurture relationships with extended family members.  We never know when they'll need us or when we'll need them.  What ever happened to "am I my brother's keeper?"  Carrying a grudge or harboring unresolved issues could be blocking your blessing.

Lord, I pray for my child and his/her relationship with all family members. Protect and preserve them from any unresolved or permanent breach. Fill his/her heart with Your love and give him/her an abundance of compassion and forgiveness that will overflow to each member of the family.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)  In Jesus name, Amen!

April 20

When you cover your family relationships in prayer, whether it be with children, parents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, husband or wife, there will be far fewer instances of strained or severed relationships.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

A few years back we studied a book at church titled "The 11th Commandment: Experiencing the One Anothers of Scripture" by Don McMinn.  The book delves into what the author penned as the eleventh commandment, along with some additional 'one anothers'.  Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).   The Full Life Study Bible, Study Notes says:

The Christian is commanded to love, in a greater and special way, all true Christians, whether or not they are members of one's own church or followers of one's particular theological persuasion.  (1) Believers must distinguish true Christians from those whose profession is false by examining their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ and their loyalty to God's holy word.  (2) Any person who possesses a living faith in Jesus Christ and remains loyal to God's inspired and inerrant Word as he or she sincerely understands it, while standing against the prevailing popular spirit of our day is my brother or sister in Christ and one who deserves my special love and support.
 

Loving true Christians, in theory, is not hard because we should all be on one accord.  And even if we're not, we have prayer, forgiveness, grace and mercy to get us back on track.  The true challenge comes, as Ms. Omartian mentioned, in those familial relationships.  Oftentimes, those closest to us are the ones that hurt us the most.  The very people that know us intricately, are the same ones that can betray us intensely.  Those that have known us all our lives are quick to remind us of our past, but Paul reminds us to forget those things which are behind us and press toward the prize that is in Christ Jesus.  When we cover our family relationships in prayer, loving those closest to us may be a little easier.

Lord, help us to love one another as You have commanded.  Let us seek the good in others, even when we're not necessarily afforded the same.  Teach us how to pray for those that despitefully use us and forgive so that we are forgiven.  If there are any strained or severed relationships in our lives, we pray that You open the door for reconciliation and healing and help us to walk through it!  Help us be obedient to Your command that we love one another, not just in word but also in deed.  In Jesus name, Amen!