Gleanings from the Pastor's Perspective:

The Pastor’s Perspective
Vol. 32 Num. 36
“Praying that our children would grow to be men and women of integrity”
First Published: October 19, 1999

Last week, I shared with you some prayer suggestions gleaned from the program of the recent PCA Women in the Church Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia. Praying for the covenant children of the Church is, of course, something that should be a priority for us all. One of our ruling elders often challenges us with the words: “If we don’t pray for our children, who will?” Indeed.

Since I know that many of you gather weekly to pray together for your children and many of you pray individually on a daily basis, I offer the following prayer suggestions to you as an incentive to and aid for specific intercessory prayer on behalf of our children. As we pray, let us pray for our children:
1. That they will know Christ early in life. “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them."” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (II Timothy 3:14-15)
2. That they will have a hatred for sin. “Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”(Psalm 97:10)
3. That they will be caught when guilty. “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:71)
4. That they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, physical. “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:5) “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)
5. That they will have a responsible attitude in their interpersonal relationships. “O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:1-5) “Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit.” (Daniel 6:3)
6. That they will respect those in authority over them. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” (Exodus 20:12)
7. That they will desire Godly friendships. “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, . . . Throw in your lot with us, . . . My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path . . . .” (Proverbs 1:10-19) “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Psalm 1:1)
8. That they will wait for the mate of God’s choosing. “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (II Corinthians 6:14-17)
9. That they will remain sexually pure until marriage. “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (I Corinthians 6:18-20)
10. That they will submit to God and resist Satan. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
11. That they will be single-hearted in following Jesus. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
12. That they will be hedged in by God’s faithfulness and loving kindness. (Hosea 2:6)

Your friend,


Ligon Duncan