Raising G-Rated Kids in an R-Rated World (Part 4)

We have now seen 3 of the 10 principles of effective parenting. The next two are:

Pray with and for your children regularly…“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power” (II Thessalonians 1:11).

Dr. Tony Evans has said, “The most effective thing we can do for our children and families is pray for them.” I was at a retreat one time where the speaker gave 15 specific requests to pray for your children. They are very good. They include praying for:

• Their salvation
• Their mate
• That they would fall in love with God’s Word
• That God would keep them from the evil one
• That there character would be more valuable to them than their credentials
• That they would stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone
• That they would be kept from the love of money
• That they would be kept morally pure
• That they would have the heart of a servant
• That eternity would burn in their hearts
• That they would be broken easily over sin
• That they would love each other
• That they would trust God with their parents and not allow rebellion to set in
• Regardless the hardship, that they may never become bitter against God
• That our boys would be glad to be boys and our girls glad to be girls

Always be honest with your children…“He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit” (Proverbs 12:17).

When it comes to any relationship, honesty is always the best policy. We as parents would never put up with our children lying to us. So why is it that we feel that we can lie to them and that’s okay? There is no quicker way to destroy a relationship than to lose trust and respect due to not being honest.

Love your children’s mother…“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

I love the statement made by Josh McDowell when he wrote, “The greatest thing that a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” Do you realize that most people get their first view of God from how they view their dad? However you view you father is often how you will view God. And guess where kids get their first view of their fathers from? That’s right…from listening to what their moms say about them.