One of the most humbling realities of the Christian life is that God searches us out and calls us to Himself by the power of His Spirit. When a young Asa sought the Lord against the overwhelming odds of the invading Ethiopians, God gave him an enormous victory. This prompted a revival in Judah as Asa implemented one godly reform after another.
Sadly, when the Northern tribes invaded a few years later, he seemed to have forgotten this entire experience. He took money out of the treasury and bribed the ungodly Syrians to break their treaty with Israel, so Israel would have to withdraw from Judah. He was rebuked by the prophet Hanani who used a positive approach:
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. — 2 Chronicles 16:9
Rather than receiving this stinging rebuke, Asa rebelled and would not seek God, even as his health began to decline.
God is actively looking for people whose heart is loyal to Him so he can be “strong on their behalf.” Proverbs 1:20 declares similarly, “Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.” (NKJV) Like the eyes of the Lord that run to and from throughout the whole earth, wisdom is out in the streets on a daily basis, urging people to follow her. Her absolute desire is to freely give to any who will follow her. Unlike colleges that demand an arm and a leg for tuition, wisdom freely gives of herself. What a deal!
This is the same wisdom who was there when Christ spoke the world into existence. She was at his side when the oceans broke out of the womb. Before there were depths or foundations, she was at God’s side as a master craftsman. (Proverbs 8) This is the same wisdom that is available to us today. This is almost beyond comprehension.
How do we receive this wisdom? James 1:5 states that we only have to ask, and that is exactly what we are going to do for the month of July. As we pray and fast together, we are going to approach the throne of grace and ask that God will anoint young homeschoolers with wisdom far beyond their years. We are also going to pray that we parents have wisdom in both raising and releasing our children for God’s glory.
Please join us on July 13th—or a day that works better for you—as we ask for God to impart wisdom at this critical point of human history. We will be praying the following requests:
1. Pray that God will give both parents and children a real heart and desire for gaining wisdom.
- Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, –Proverbs 7:4
- How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. –Proverbs 16:16
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. –James 1:5
2. Pray that we will walk in a genuine and biblical fear of the Lord in order to obtain wisdom.
- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. –Proverbs 9:10
- The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility. –Proverbs 15:33
- The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. –Is. 11:2
3. Pray that the Lord will give homeschooling parents the wisdom in how best to engage their children in a meaningful way, so we can communicate the why of what we do and pray their children will have the wisdom to receive it.
- “The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. –Is. 50:4
- My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. –Psalms 49:3
- I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. –Proverbs 4:11
- A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. –Proverbs 13:1
4. Pray that God will give our children wisdom as they look to their futures, whether that be in decisions concerning how to wait, college, vocation, or marriage.
- And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. –1 Kings 4:29
- Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. –1 Chronicles 22:12
5. Pray that our tongues will speak wisdom and not foolishness, both as parents and as students.
- Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. –Proverbs 10:13
- The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. –Proverbs 10:31
- The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. –Proverbs 18:4
6. Pray that we will understand the power and potential of wisdom at work in our lives; success is not about size, titles, positions, or wealth but about having wisdom.
- Wisdom is better than strength …–Ecc. 9:16
- Wisdom is better than the weapons of war …–Ecc. 9:18
- Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; –Proverbs 24:3
- Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: –Proverbs 30:24
- A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. –Proverbs 21:22
7. Pray that God will give our children wisdom in not only “what to do” but also in how and when to do it.
- Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. –Ecc. 8:5
- And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.–1 Kings 3:7
- Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. –Exodus 33:13
8. Pray that God will give our children wisdom in how to properly conduct themselves, especially in demonstrating self-control during times of stress, tension, and difficulty.
- A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. –Proverbs 29:11
- Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. –Proverbs 17:28
9. Pray that our children will have much access and take advantage of the wisdom around them through their parents, other people, nature, and great cultural inputs.
- Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. –Proverbs 13:20
- An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. –Proverbs 18:15
- Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.–Proverbs 8:33
- A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. –Proverbs 13:1
- Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. –Proverbs 6:6
10. Pray that our children will be open to rebuke, correction, and reproof that they might grow in wisdom.
- It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. –Ecc. 7:5
- Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. –Ecc. 4:13
- And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. –Luke 2:40
-300x147.jpg)
