Daily Devotions
A Tough Prayer for Children
Reading for November 23rd: Acts 27-28
Weekly reading for November 22-28: John 16-21
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15
As parents, we worry about our children living in this world. A multitude of evil forces are out there, and they seem to multiply by the day. Our kids face a world that is increasingly hostile to their faith. They are confronted by rejection, ridicule, and scorn from peers, friends, teachers, and even family in some cases.
What is our prayer? How many of us, as parents, pray like Jesus: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world"? This is a bold prayer... a prayer few of us would pray.
We should protect our children from negative influences, but we cannot completely insulate them from evil. It simply is not possible as long as we're living in this world.
When our children face challenges to their faith, let us not despair. Jesus' prayer tells us that struggle is necessary to accomplish God's purposes. We were put in this world for a purpose, which is to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. It is to follow the path to the cross.
Our kids don't need a pain-free, problem-free life. What they need are our prayers to protect them from the evil one.
Father, we do not ask for an easy life, simply for your protection from evil.
