A Prayer for Your Child to Be Bold for the Gospel

　　By Victoria Riollano

　　"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12

　　I couldn’t believe she took so many flyers. With only a few weeks left before Easter, Tiffany, a fifth grader at our church, grabbed half of the marketing materials from the church lobby. As the pastor’s wife, I wasn’t sure whether to be excited or encourage her to not take so many. Yet, I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to stay silent. Days later, I got an unexpected message saying that this same girl was met with disdain by her school principal. While other students were fighting about their place in the lunch line, playing games at the gym, or stressing over a spelling test, little Tiffany was passing out flyers to anyone who walked past her at school. And to that, the principal’s response was, “Absolutely not.” Days later, I learned that Tiffany didn’t choose to be frustrated but activated. Since she couldn’t pass them out at school, she took them all over the neighborhood, personally inviting her neighbors to church. She had even invited everyone in her dentist’s office to church!

　　The truth is this moment was met with immediate conviction on my end. My Easter invites hadn’t even left my car. They were tattered, slightly stained from random coffee spills, and sprinkled onto my car floor. While I was considering one person to invite, she had canvassed her entire neighborhood. Tiffany was bold about the gospel in a way that I hadn’t been. She was on a mission to spread the Word, even when she faced opposition! I can’t help but wonder if I could ever have such boldness. I believe her faith and desire to know Jesus is what we should all have.

　　This mission to spread the gospel is not bound by age! Those who are young and old can proclaim what God has done for them. Even more so, Jesus makes it clear that we should draw children toward him and not away. In Mark 10:13-16, many are bringing their children to Jesus when the disciples become rather irritated. For them, the children are bothersome to Jesus and a distraction. Yet, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” The command to teach our children about God is not a new one. In Deuteronomy 11:19, the Lord makes it clear that the Israelites should teach their children His commands at home, in the streets, and even before their children go to sleep. In other words, God is very serious about children knowing who He is.

　　My prayer today is that we will not hinder children from knowing the Lord. Instead, let us pray that their boldness will arise. But let us also remember we cannot pray for our children to be bold in their faith if we aren’t bold enough to teach them! May we draw closer to Him and share His Word as often we get the chance. I pray that we will never be ashamed of the gospel but encouraged to tell the world, like little Tiffany. It is when we openly share our faith that they will be empowered to do the same.

　　Let’s pray:

　　Lord, I thank you for who you are in my life today. I thank you for the testimonies I have seen of your goodness. I do not take the peace, healing, and provision you have given me over the years for granted. Lord, help me to remember what you have done and teach me how to share it with people of all ages. I pray for spiritual boldness to speak and proclaim my testimony and the truth of the gospel. Lord, help me never to shy away from sharing or be ashamed of the gospel. Show me, Lord, the times when I haven’t been bold. Teach me how to proudly tell people who you are and encourage the children around me to do the same.

　　Father, I pray for the children in my sphere of influence. Will you help them to be bold, Lord? As they go to school and in their community and face opposition, help them to lean on you. God, teach them how to articulate their words so that people can understand them. Lord, help them to speak with grace and truth. Show them how to witness in a way that people would want to know you more. I pray that no weapon formed against them shall prosper as they share your Good News. I pray that their faith will arise and that you will show them who you are at a young age. Give them the courage to bring your truth and light into this dark world. Father, show us how to equip them to spread the Gospel. We thank you that this generation of children will know you from a young age and ask that you show us how to draw them closer to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.