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Monday, November 8, 2004

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Titus 1:1-9
Psalm 24
Luke 17:1-6

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save the children

"A presbyter must be irreproachable, married only once, the father of children who are believers and are known not to be wild and insubordinate." —Titus 1:6

If you are a parent, you certainly want your children to be "believers," "known not to be wild and insubordinate." Yet some of the most committed Christians have children not under the lordship of Jesus. Why are many Christian parents unable to pass on their faith in Jesus to their own children?

We have compromised with the world. Even the "strictest" parents have exposed their children to hours, even years, of ungodly influences through TV and modern education. We shrug off the effects of this constant bombardment, and then are surprised when our children do things which indicate almost no relationship with Christ.

Another reason for the devil's success in robbing us of our own children is lack of family prayer. Most Christian couples don't pray together frequently. Family prayer is often relegated to meal prayers when the family occasionally gets together for supper. We don't receive because we don't ask (Jas 4:2). We didn't stay together because we didn't pray together. However,  the good news is that there's still time to get your children back to God. Remember St. Monica and her son St. Augustine. God promises: "Those who oppose you I will oppose, and your sons" and daughters "I will save" (Is 49:25).

Prayer:  Father, may my faith be stronger than the devil's discouragement. I believe every one of my children will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Promise:  "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' " —Lk 17:5

Praise:  Louise repented of her child neglect and now prays every day for her children.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Family Prayer on audio AV 59-1 or video V-59.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004