When the angel appeared to Zacharias in Luke 1, he began with some of the most hope-filled words conceivable: “Your prayer is heard” (Luke 1:13). If you have prayed for something specific for years and years, as Elizabeth and Zacharias had, aren’t you glad that your prayers aren’t just floating around in oblivion? They are heard by a God who has the power to answer them.
The angel also gave them a blessing for their son that helps us know what to pray over the children in our lives.
First, the angel promised that Elizabeth and Zacharias would have “joy and gladness” and that “many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord (vs.14-15).” Imagine what would happen if every third grader in your AWANA group, every baby that you rock in the church nursery, every Compassion child that you sponsor, every foster child that enters your home and especially every one of your own children or grandchildren grew up to be truly great in the sight of the Lord? If we pray just one thing over the children in our lives, it should be this.
Second, the angel said that this child would, “turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (vs. 16).” Every child is a born with a divine purpose. We can partner with them by praying that God would prepare them, provide for them and give them spiritual success as they fulfill their calling.
Third, the angel said that this child would, “turn the hears of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (v.17).” Each new generation needs a new group of spiritual leaders who will bring peace to chaotic situations, disciple others and get people ready to meet their Maker when their time comes. We can pray that the children in our lives are these kind of people.
Praying the Word of God over the children in our lives is powerful and effective. It allows us to be a part of what God wants to do in and through them, even before they are born. It is a blessing to us and to them.
(For those who have missed any of the previous lessons, you can go to https://comethirstyministry.com/blog/ and view all previous postings.)
Week Thirty-Five
Day 1: Mark 16:1-20 (Women at the Resurrection)
Day 2: Luke 1:1-25 (Elizabeth)
Day 3: Luke 1:26-56 (Mary and Elizabeth)
Day 4: Luke 1:57-80 (Elizabeth)
Day 5: Luke 2:1-20 (Mary)