by Sherelyn Mayberry
Synopsis: We hope and pray that our children will develop physically and spiritually, becoming devoted disciples, marrying godly companions, and raising their children to love God and keep His commandments.
The song, "O Perfect Love" (Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #559), is a prayer for our children that they will be our godly legacy as they mature and marry. Faithful Christian parents desire this for their children who have been raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Lord says our offspring are "like arrows in the hand of a warrior" (Ps. 127:4). Our hopes for them soar into the future as they are joined as one with their choice of a marriage partner. We wish the best for them as they make wise decisions, making our hearts glad as they grow in love for the Lord and their new spouse. This desire for our married children will be possible as they walk in the footsteps of the Lord together, so they may not slip (Ps. 17:5). Accomplishing this goal will be predicated on not departing from the Lord while treasuring God's word to feed their souls. Receiving His word to direct their steps, they will not let sin have dominion over their lives (Ps. 119:133). Our fervent prayer for them is that they will experience "the love which knows no ending"—now and in eternity.
Our hope for our children is that they will follow the example of the perfect love and life in Christ. He left us a pattern of being willing to suffer, and not threaten or revile in kind (1 Pet. 2:21-23). The love of a servant's heart was evidenced in Jesus' washing the disciples' feet (John 13:12-15). Performing menial tasks will show our children's love for their spouse. Humility of heart will lead each to be of one mind, not being selfish or conceited, or looking out simply for his own interests, but esteeming the other better than himself (Phil. 2:1-8). We long for their home to be filled with kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Like Christ, we pray our children will put on love, which is the bond that causes their marriage to mature and grow closer through the years (Col. 3:12-14).
To their marriage, we pray the Lord will add joy and peace. As our children live in fellowship with God the Father and Christ the Son, they experience a fuller joy through walking in the light of the Word (1 John 1:1-4). May the Lord sustain them through the cares and struggles of life; we hope they will lean on the Lord through all sorrows (1 Pet. 5:7). We ask the Lord to grant them peace during times of trouble and tribulation in the world—may they constantly look to Jesus' example of overcoming the world and be of good cheer (John 14:27; 16:33). As they walk hand in hand with the Lord and are justified by faith, we are reassured of their peace, and hope in their salvation (Rom. 5:1, 2).
In his final farewell to the Corinthians, Paul says, "Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you" (1 Cor. 13:11). We can pray these thoughts for our married children as they seek to be perfected in the Lord. They can encourage each other as they walk united in Christ, at peace with each other and with God. Such devoted discipleship will lead to a joyous godly life in the present and future, in time and eternity.
Author Bio: Sherelyn is the wife of Mark Mayberry, who labors with the Adoue Street congregation in Alvin, TX as an evangelist and elder. She can be reached at sherelynmayberry@live.com.
