02/09/2024
This morning we will consider the role of mothers, and the clergy, as it relates to raising children in prayer and faith. We know that this is a pastor’s primary calling, and this is confirmed by reading what Pastor E.M. Bounds wrote on the subject "The work of the ministry is to change unbelieving sinners into praying, believing saints." But Bounds goes on to say that "By faith we are saved, and by faith we stay saved. Prayer introduces us to a life of faith.", and often that introduction begins in a mother’s arms. Our Bible verses today drive this fact home by pointing out that faith is indeed a gift born of grace, and that the disciples prayed with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14 ESV
I, like many children born into Christian families, can't recall a time in my life that was lacking in prayer... My mother made certain of that. As a child I remember praying before meals, prayers at bedtime, and prayers when life was hard. These began long before I understood the depth of their importance and meaning. Later I watched as she prayed over my infant siblings knowing that she had done the same for me.
When we went to church and the pastor preached sermons that were often beyond my ability to understand, my mother would reinforce the Sunday homily by reading bible stories to me from a glossy book full of colorful pictures and simple wording designed for the maturity level of children. I was so fortunate to be raised by a mother who cared this much.
Pastors have a God given responsibility to change unbelieving sinners into praying and believing saints but, through the generations, mothers, who have assumed a similar role within the family, have brought praying, and believing, children to church for that final consecration and baptism. Funny, but the habit that mothers of my childhood wore often looked a whole lot like an apron, a smock, or a house dress... believing mothers throughout time have prepared their children for a life of faith.
Pastors owe the mothers in their congregations a great deal of gratitude. The love of God often begins at home in the arms of a mother. Praying children are a warm hug and a bedtime prayer away from a life of deep and abiding faith.
So, when children kneel down on Sunday and pray for Jesus to forgive them, or publicly accept Him as their savior, the odds are very good that a Christian mother or grandmother is crying tears of thanksgiving and joy from the pews. Her efforts not only raise her children to adulthood, but they extend that care, and those prayers, far into the spiritual world of a life beyond. Prayer does indeed foster faith, and with many children that prayer begins while being held to the bosom of their mother, and will see them into eternity one day.
Later in life when hardships come and our children, now men and women, struggle through the difficulties of life. Pastors work to bolster the seed of faith that mothers planted many years prior... Yet even in those seasons of continuing pastoral care, the prayers of the mothers that rocked them as babies are prayed for them still, and God hears each one.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:1-4 ESV
Prayer:
Father thank you for that first prayer that was prayed over us, and for the one who prayed it. Thank you for our pastors, and for our mothers and fathers who have knelt with us as we learned how to talk with you. Father bless the folded hands that pray with children and adults alike, but thank you especially for the mothers who prepare their children for a life and eternity with you by offering up countless loving tears and prayers. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who loves the children, and calls them the greatest in your kingdom. Wonderful are you who hears the voices of mother’s praying from nurseries and bedsides around the world, and loving are you who listens to the little children themselves as they speak to you from their innocence. Father, bless those whose prayers continue throughout life for their offspring, and who intercede for them day and night. Hear their concern Abba for the souls of their innocent ones, and honor the intercession of your Son Jesus as He lifts the children up before your throne. Blessed are you, and greatly to be praised as we give you all the glory for the grace and mercy our children receive.
Amen
“ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Matthew 18:5-6 ESV
Rich Forbes