GIFT

A Prayer Ministry for Parents

Meets every 2nd Sunday of the month 

We live in a gift-giving society. People spend a lot of time and money getting gifts for others.  Mostly, the purpose of gift–giving is to show that you love; you are thinking of, you appreciate, or you care about the receiver. Anybody in the world will be happy to receive a gift. Gifts are appreciated.

For God to show His love for us, He gave Jesus for our salvation. The Bible in John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God is a great gift giver. He did not only give us His Son for our salvation, He also provides for our needs (Romans 8:32). To emulate our heavenly Father, we find gift giving a good habit even when we don’t necessarily like doing it.

This program calls us to a special ministry. A ministry of giving a “gift.” Yes, a gift of prayer. Think of what prayer can do. Prayer brings joy to the heart of the one praying even before the answer is given. Prayer soothes the heart. Prayer comforts. Prayer encourages.  Prayer gives hope. Prayer is the believers’ immediate weapon with which to fight the darts of the enemy – the devil. Prayer is powerful and accessible always. Prayer is freeing.

This ministry is intended to unite parents and make a difference in families, church, community, nation and world at large through prayer. By God’s grace we hope to grow.

As we engage in this very important task we should be reminded that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) God means what He says.

Theme Verse:  “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Purpose:

To Love and Glorify God

          “… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your and all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5)

          “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17)

Goal:   To connect and build one another up through prayer, appreciating the wonderful gifts of children God has given to parents. (Psalm 127:3)

Objectives:

•   To appreciate parenthood
•   To pray for our children, children of our church, community, nation and beyond
•   To build one another up through sharing and prayer
•   To encourage parents to see the value of their children in God’s perspective
•   To motivate parents to guide their children in all aspects of life
•   To challenge parents to pursue parenting responsibility

Biblical Examples:

Job: “His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, 'Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.' This was Job’s regular custom.” (Job 1:4-5)

Paul, Lois, and Eunice:

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.  Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.  I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:3-5)

Hannah:

Hannah prayed to God for a baby boy. God gave her Samuel. After she weaned him, she committed him to the Lord for His Service. (1 Samuel 1-2)

What We Do:

•   Short Studies on prayer
•   Exhortations from various people
•   Share experiences: both joys and difficulties of parenting
•   Share praises and prayer requests
•   Pray for or with one another

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

For more information, contact: Kristin Swanson at (847) 362-8155, ext. 17 or Jonathan or Elizabeth Mwania at (847) 816-6891.