Day 1 – The Next Generation

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.” Psalm 127:3-5 (MSG)

I was just over 8 months pregnant with my eldest when the realization of me being a mom hit me hard. I was at work when a mom came in with a busy toddler around the age of 2. I did not pay them much attention until the little girl wanted something and, in a very demanding little voice said: “Mommy!” I froze at the sudden thought that this little person growing inside me is going to call ME Mommy! Though I enjoyed being pregnant and reading as much as I possibly could about the little person’s progressive growth inside me, I hardly gave thought to how my life is going to change to be called “Mommy!”

Today, almost 21 years later, I fully understand what God meant in Psalm 127. The children God blessed me with are truly the best gift I have ever received and a generous legacy. I thank God for the prayers I prayed during their childhood. The road was not easy and sometimes I prayed because of them (chuckles)! No, I prayed for them. For their present and future, hearts and minds, friends and people coming into their lives.

I believe it is our privilege (not duty) to pray for our children – our next generation. Please do not feel exempt from this devotional if you do not have children of your own. Take this opportunity to pray for all the children of this world, enveloping them in prayer and love whilst saturating their future with God’s Word. I feel led to pray for all children, not just my own – because ALL the children of this world need our sincere prayers.

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You that we are Your children and that You love us more than we can love our own. “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him” 1 John 3:1 Thank You for the great opportunity to be a parent and the children as precious gifts you entrusted me with. I am grateful that I can pray for them and know that You love them more than I ever could. Today I ask Father, to show each and everyone reading the devotional the gifts that children are and the legacy of the next generation to lay a foundation for the next 29 days. You are a good Father and I love You. Amen.

We would love to pray with you at prayer@womenoftheword.co.za

Online shop www.womenoftheword.co.za/shop