Day 6 (Friday 13 August) - No Substitute!

by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer

Today, parents are more disconnected and less involved in their children's lives than any other generation. Many parents have entrusted the care of their children to "surrogate parents" - parents or parent-in-laws, day-care centres, babysitters or worse, television and video games which have begun to influence the children's moral and social values.

God Himself gave parents - not Sunday School teachers, schools, youth ministry leaders or anyone else - to nurture and admonish their children in the ways of the Lord. There's no short cut in parenting. Parents need to be responsible for the role God has entrusted to them and not to abdicate that high calling.

Reflection: Deut 11:16-21. Let us search our hearts where we have not fulfilled this command and have abdicated our role in instructing children in the ways of the Lord. Confess to the Lord.

Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for homemakers and pray for strength and grace that they will be empowered to fulfil different roles, His calling and destiny.

■ Working parents that they will encounter God afresh and to know the perfect will of God for their lives. Despite busy schedules, parents will give priority to God. Imparting strong values and priorities to govern every home so that children will be brought up by strong discipline.

■ Parents to seek the will of God for the plans for their children, to prepare, guide and release them to serve His purpose.

■ Uphold kindergartens, day care centres, Sunday School teachers to teach and impart godly values and principles to the children.