Praying For Your Children

I believe that all parents pray for their children. Perhaps you might have uttered the following:

“Lord, ingatan mo po ang anak ko pag-uwi”

“Sana po maka-graduate ang anak ko.”

“Lord, ilayo mo po siya sa masamang barkada.”

“Sana po di makasira ang computer games sa pag-aaral ng anak ko.”

“Lord, tulungan mong makapasa ang anak ko sa long tests niya ngayon.”

These are prayers from the heart of loving parent. It is a godly thing to pray for your children.

What should we pray for regarding our children? I suggest that parents include the following in their prayers:

1. Pray for your child’s salvation.

The Lord said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt.19:14) Pray for this with confidence for this is God’s will. My wife and I prayed for the salvation of our children even before they were born. Pinagbubuntis pa lang. And I prayed for the chance to share them the Gospel of Christ.

2. Pray that you child may be impressed by God’s Word as you teach them the Bible

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:6-7) Pray that they may adore and love God’s Word. In their younger days, I read and teach my sons passages from the Bible as they grow. I praise God whenever they are awed by what God has done and by who God is (Nature and Character of God) and by the Bible truths that were validated by scientists centuries later. Using God-given authority as parents, every day we ask them to read a passage of the Scriptures. Sana po humanga sila sa Iyong Salita. Sana po hindi nila malimutan ang Iyong Salita.

3. Pray that your child may walk in the truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4). Pray that your child may walk (or live) according to God’s Word.  In our family prayer time, I always pray: “Lord, sana lumaki silang may takot sa iyo at maging godly.” God knows this is our desire as parents and I let my sons know that this is our prayer.

4. Pray that they may grow in the knowledge of God

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18). Pray that your child may grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This is the Lord’s prayer: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3). Clearly this is God’s will. I hope that this might be their goal in life: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10)

5. Pray that they may be wise

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov 2:1-6)

This is our special prayer for our sons: That they may be wise. Even before they were born, we asked God to give them wisdom and understanding. For we know that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10).

6. Pray for great dreams for your child

Every parent wants the best for his child. I also do. I had my share of prayers that God would help my sons win every contest in Math, Chemistry, Physics, Economics and even chess tournaments. Well, the truth is they did not win every time. There were more disappointments than gold medals. Sometimes we had to go to God and ask Him how come we lost.

But I have great dreams for my sons and I prayed that God would grant them success in whatever field of endeavor that God may place them in. I asked God to choose their college courses and careers and that my sons would love what God has chosen for them.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)

So, to fellow fathers [and mothers], talk to the Father about your children. I am sure He would love talking to you about your children.

Btw, I forgot to mention that I have already asked God to prepare my future daughters-in-law. I am sure my 18-year old and 14-year old sons won’t mind that I have been praying for this, too.

Teach us to number our days

Thoughts on Psalm 90

Moses is a witness to God’s wrath against the stubbornness of Israel.

When they left Egypt, Israel had more than 600,000 adult men fit for war. We can estimate that there are also about 600,000 adult females in the wilderness. It could be assumed that there about 1.2 million adult Israelites that traversed the wilderness. When Israel entered the Promised Land, of the original adult Israelites only Joshua and Caleb remained alive. So that means Moses saw about 1.2 million adults were buried in the wilderness in 40 years.

With simple math, we can estimate that about 30,000 adults die every year or 82 perish every day. So Moses wrote with sadness, “All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” The deaths of the people of God and the wrath of God set the sad lyrics of the psalm.

So Moses pleaded God, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This showed Moses’ humility. Lord, open our eyes so that we may learn that our life on earth is not permanent. Life is short and fleeting and yet we choose to spend it in unprofitable ways. Instead of spending our days to obey and to please God, we waste our time contending against God as what the Israelites did against God and against Moses the servant of God.

Moses was actually praying that Israel would consider the shortness of their days and learn from all their troubles and sorrows in the wilderness:

• That they may obey the leading of the Lord who guides them by pillar of cloud by day and by pillar of fire at night;
• That they may be thankful also for the goodness and generosity of God who feeds them daily with manna;
• That they may see the daily miracles of God who made sure that their sandals and clothes last for 40 years!
• That their eyes may be opened to the goodness and character of God and so move them to fear the Lord and follow Him. This is the beginning of wisdom.

Life is short. How much time do we spend on Facebook? Shopping? Watching television? Gym exercises? Doing school work? Attending Bible study or growth group? Praying? Sharing God’s Word? Building up the family?

We can pray the pleading of Moses and ask God to “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  

Let’s use our time for something that matters: “To fear God and to keep His commandments for that is the whole duty of man.”

God deserves all the glory for He is good

God is good.

I thank God for the wonderful things that He has done in our lives. His blessings upon us far exceed what my heart could ever imagine.

God has blessed my two sons with unbelievable intellect. Our eldest son, Nathan, graduated with highest honors from the PSHS Main. This is on top of the awards he received from winning various academic contests (Economics, Chemistry, Physics). No one could imagine the joy that engulfed me and my wife as we witnessed the awarding of medals to Nathan. Nathan also passed the UPCAT and awarded the UP Oblation Scholarship for being one of the top fifty (50) passers of the UPCAT. He also passed the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship. My wife and I are proud of our Nathan. I would say that our son’s wisdom is God-given. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally.” God is indeed generous to Nathan.

God also blessed our youngest son, Paul. He is the valedictorian of the Congress Elementary School (CES). He received about a dozen medals and a trophy for accomplishments such as Champion of Battle of the Brains in Caloocan City, Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Caloocan City, medals in MTAP Math Challenge (Individual and Team categories), Ovaltine Math Quiz Bee runner-up, Journalism, and Hekasi. On top of these, he also passed the entrance exam to the PSHS Main. Many CES teachers and parents congratulated us. My wife and I are thankful to God for entrusting to us these two gifted sons.

We pray that our two sons would use their gifts and talents for the glory of God who gave them all that they have. God deserves all the glory for He is good.

Andrew G. Tenefrancia - A Man of God

1977. The year I obeyed the Gospel of Christ. Manila Science High School Living Circle. It was the ministry that brought the Gospel to Masci in the 70’s. The Living Circle Ministry is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy. I value it most because it changed my life. Through the Masci LC and later the UPLC, I grew in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Also, thru the LC Ministry, I learned to serve the Lord. Pastor Tene supported me and Pastor Egay Espinosa when we revived the V. Mapa LC. He also encouraged me and Pastor Lito Sese while we were serving at the EARIST LC. Ganun din sa Quirino High School LC kasama ko doon sila Ate Irene at Ate Aida. As a result, many students and teachers committed their lives to Christ. My brothers and sisters also came to know the Lord Jesus through the LC Ministry. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that changed lives.

Pastor Tenefrancia also gave us the Grace Bible School or GBS. He was my professor in Counseling. At the GBS, I learned precious truths from the Word of God and deeper insights in Biblical Theology and God’s character and attributes. As a result, I came to adore God in a deeper way and to love Christ more and more. This is Pastor Tenefrancia’s legacy that taught me to love God and His Word.

Personally, Pastor Tenefrancia taught me many Christian principles. He taught me to love the lost. He taught me how to share the Gospel. I remember one summer in University of Baguio. There was an LC Conference. I had my practicum on how to share the Gospel. At first, he shared the Gospel to a student while I watch and listen. After that, he let me share the Gospel to another person while he listens and prays as I share. It was a lesson I treasured most.

Pastor Tenefrancia also encouraged me to finish college. I was taking up BS Math at UP Diliman during the day and also enrolled in subjects at the GBS Evening Bible School. It was tough having 16 units at Diliman during the day and 18 units at the Bible School at night. Pastor Tenefrancia advised me to finish first my BS Math because he said that it is my testimony to my parents. I followed him and it was a wise decision. He also counseled me on love, courtship, and marriage. Siya rin ang nagkasal sa amin ni Eva.

To me, Pastor is like a father. This year, I lost two fathers: my Dad in January and now Pastor Tenefrancia. Pastor is a gentle and wise father. He is humble. Walang yabang sa katawan. He played pingpong, volleyball and basketball with us. He shared his life with us.

Pastor Tenefrancia is a great man of God. Among pastors, naging standard na namin ni Eva si Pastor Tenefrancia. Whenever we attend other Christian churches, madalas sabihin naming malayo sila kay Pastor Tenefrancia. In wisdom, humility, concern, family example, and love for God, Pastor Tenefrancia is a cut above the rest. He is Christ-like in character.

I owe a lot to Pastor. And now, let me thank Ma’am Mary Jean, Valery, Sheri Ann and Charlene for sharing Pastor’s life with us. God bless you po. Thank God for Pastor.

Pidio Nogales
April 21, 2009

Storms

The past few months has brought a series of storms in my life. Sunod-sunod na nagkasakit ang parents ko. Then last Sunday naman ay dinala namin ang panganay namin sa hospital.

Maraming gastos. Maraming worries. Medyo ubos na ang savings. Binubulabog ko na ang langit ng panalangin at panaghoy. But God is silent or maybe I cannot hear His still small voice.

I know God is working for my good while I am in pain. It has been said that our bodies are recuperating when we are asleep. Maybe I need to rest in the Lord and let Him heal everything that are hurting.

I remember in the Book of Esther. Mordecai was hurting because Haman has secured a decree from King Ahasuerus to allow Haman to destroy the Jews. Then one night, the King could not find sleep so he asked the chronicler to read some court manuscripts. The account on how Mordecai exposed an assassination attempt on his life was read. He was told that Mordecai has not been rewarded for this. So the King ordered Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to put on the King's robes on Mordecai and parade him as a man whom the King wishes to honor.

That started the chain of events that led to the salvation of Mordecai's people from extermination. It was deep in the night. There's nothing that could be possibly done at that time. Everyone was asleep. But God did not let the King sleep so that Mordecai's problems could be solved.

I believe God is at work both for the good of His people and for His glory.

Have you visited the Philippines?

My Lakbayan grade is C. I haven't visited many places in my own country. Siguro in the next few years.

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Happiness

Happiness is an elusive goal for most people. I guess one can find it if he can find his purpose in life. It is not amassing wealth nor being comfortable nor luxurious. It is doing what you enjoy most and doing what you are purposed to do.

Like our household items, each is brought into the house for a purpose. For example an electric fan, you can use it as a display item to make your house more beautiful but it is never meant to function like that. The electric fan would be "happier" if you use it the way it is meant to be. Its manual would say it is an excellent fan.

Each denizen (star, human or planet) in the universe is created for a purpose. According to The Manual (The Bible), each is created to glorify God and enjoy His provision and goodness. With that in mind, happiness is not difficult find for it is nestled in seeking God's perfect plans. Read your Manual and know your purpose in life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jer 29:11 (NIV)