Understanding God’s Purpose
We are studying "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children"
by Stormie Omartian
Our children are in confusion over what their purpose is. To me this is understandable as they have way to much worldly influence and not enough God influence.
Our God is not a God of confusion, just reading His word and giving Him thanks will bring in His perfect peace, but God’s voice is being drowned out.
The definition of ‘purpose’ – the object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal. Determination; resolution. (from The Free Dictionary – online)
Using that definition let’s say your child knows they want to attend a school that will help them become a mechanic. They have a sense of purpose. It’s not all lined out from beginning to end but they have a starting point. Now let’s add God, he will lead them and give them the strength to move forward, even when fear tries to tell them they can’t do it.
Without a leading from God, fear can come in and look for something else to pursue that may cause them to waste years of their lives.
I have seen children with great purpose and direction get to school, walk away from their time with God and things fall apart, their purpose and direction are left at the way side.
Let’s begin to pray and here is what Stormie suggests.
“…take a day every month to fast and pray about that adult child. Ask God to break down any barriers keeping him (her) from receiving a vision for his (her) life a sense of God’s purpose and calling.”
If you child doesn’t seem to have a sense of purpose, lay it at the feet of Jesus and TRUST Him to give them one. Never give up, keep praying and thanking God that He has heard your prayer, your request and even though you don’t see it you know He is moving and working in their hearts, in their lives.
Another important point Stormie makes.
“Don’t beat yourself up if you see your adult child struggling to find his (her) place in the world. And don’t berate him (her) verbally, because it will only alienate him (her) from you and won’t accomplish anything. You can pray, strongly encourage, and get him (her) to talk about himself(herself) and the dreams, hopes, ideas, likes and dislikes he (she) has. Tell him (her) how much you love and admire him (her). Tell him (her) of the good traits and gifts you see in him (her).”
As you pray, ask God to show you what you need to say, what you need to see-why they are unmotivated and then find Scripture to pray over this situation.
And remember, Jeremiah had to wait for an answer to prayer, don’t you think you just might have to wait too? Jeremiah 42:7
Again I stress the importance of not allowing the lies of satan to come in, don’t give up, keep praying and believing for those precious gifts the Lord has bless you with.
Now for those of you whose child has purpose, praise God! You can give thanks and ask Him to keep that purpose alive in them. Pray and thank Him for directing their steps and helping them not to lose their purpose.
Begin to pray Ephesians 1:18 today!
‘I pray that the eyes of (enter your child’s) names here.) may be enlightened, so that they will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints….”
