This is certainly something that I have been thinking about lately. Thank you so much for this thread. This thread should blow up because there are so many of us who have things going on in our lives and need some to pray or encourage us in some way.
I have been praying for me and many of my friends who have adult children that don't serve the Lord. It's been hard, and I pray so much...my knees are rough.
Lately though...my son has been calling me asking questions again about the Lord. He told me that he and some friends been having conversations about the Lord and he remembers some scriptures, but he can't remember some things so he calls me. I gave him a bible this past week so he will have it to reference to. This is encouraging...
I believe with all of my heart that my son and daughter will repent and come back to the Lord before its too late. I can't say it doesn't bother me because it does, but I do trust the Lord in their life.
My heart and prayers are right there with you.
God is so protective of our children, even more so than 'we' are. Our sons and daughters have so many angels assigned to them and God gave His guarantee with these words:
Psalm 23:
He leadeth me (our children) in the paths of Righteousness for His namesake.
Isaiah 43:1-21 --- I love this! This just speaks volumes about our children.
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.
12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.
13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
14 Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
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There is no strange god among our children.... none.
This is for all of the children...we dedicate all of them unto the Lord.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.