Blessings and Charges

As I was completing my study of 1 Chronicles last week the Lord impressed upon me the importance of making our prayers for our children known to them.  I am impressed that we should either pray blessings and charges over them or simply share with them the cries of our hearts as we intercede on their behalf. 

There are at least two notable charges that David gave his son, Solomon:

“May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.   Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” 1 Chronicles 22:12-13

And again:

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

In addition, I imagine Solomon probably grew up hearing the songs of his father, a man after God’s own heart, pleading for understanding, discretion, wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 119).

Above all else, David longed for his son to devote his heart and soul to seeking the Lord God (1 Chron 22:19).  Not only did he pray this for Solomon – he charged Solomon with it repeatedly.

We see the fruits of David’s investment in his son, and the fulfillment of God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 1: 7-10:

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.  Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.  Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

I am impressed the words of his father, David, echoed in his mind and heart as he petitioned God for wisdom and knowledge.  He knew the passion with which his father charged him, and his father’s passion resonated within him.

I have no greater desire in my life than for my children to intimately know Him, passionately love Him, and zealously seek Him all the days of their lives. 

I was concerned nine and seven year olds might be too young to appreciate the magnitude of my prayers for them.  But, with the Lord’s prompting, I shared my current prayer for nine year old with her one afternoon when we were alone.  She loves the Word, she gets so excited about what she is learning.  So my prayer for her has been that that enthusiasm would be protected and the Word she is learning will be firmly planted seeds in her heart that will grow up and nourish her all the days of her life.  As I shared I questioned whether she would fully understand.  She paused for a moment and very thoughtfully gave me a heartfelt “thank you.”  She completely understood what I was saying;  it blessed her and motivated her to press on, as has been evidenced in recent days.

So, no matter how young they are I commit to bless them and charge them regularly. I will share the cries of my heart with them, so that my passion may resonate within their hearts prodding them to Him.