A FRESH START: A Blessing for Your Family

Read 1 Kings 8:54-61.

The prayer of Solomon for blessing at the time of the dedication of the house of God, offers a model for blessing we can speak over our household.  Don’t forget the significance of prayer. The task of raising children for God in this perverse culture is too large for us. But, it is not too hard for God. So, let us call upon Him (v.54–56). What should we pray?

Seek God personally. “May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us,” (v.57‬). We want the presence of God to be manifest in our home. It is not just a set of theoretical facts about God that we want for our children, but a personal faith in God.

Seek God passionately. “that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers.” (v.58‬). Behind doctrine in our children’s heads (which is indispensable), we pray for devotion in their hearts. More than an outward performance of rules, we seek an inward passion for righteousness (which will set the direction of our steps).

Seek God persistently.  “And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require,” (v.59‬). We do not want our children to follow God for a time, but for a lifetime. We need His blessing on them today, and everyday. Each sunrise brings new challenges, and our kids need God’s presence and protection.

Seek God pointedly.  “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.” (v.60-61‬). We seek for our children to glorify God and to testify of God as they are sent as emissaries of God into the world. Again, we are reminded that it is the heart of loyalty to God that will direct our feet in obedience to God.  Pray for their heart!