Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature, and fully assured.
Colossians 4:12
A measure of Kingdom maturity is prayer. If you consider yourself mature in the faith, the first thing to check is your prayer life. One of the most dangerous things in this world is when a child believes they are an adult.
My son is now 10 years old and, in his mind, he is right 100% of the time. Always. All the Time. 100% right. Never wrong. Scenarios like the following play out constantly in our home:
“Justus, I told you to turn off the TV and go brush your teeth.” – Dad
“No you didn’t! You never said that.” – Justus
“I said it 3 times. All your sisters have already gone upstairs, changed, and brushed their teeth – they heard me.” – Dad
“No you never said that! Oh my gosh! You are the worst!” – Justus
It is funny that we see how ridiculous it is when Daddy and Justus have these moments. It is abundantly clear that Justus is wrong in this situation – others have proven that direction was given. Yet he is 100% adamant that he is right. As I was thinking about this, I felt the Lord prompt me – “Gabriel, you are Justus and God is Daddy.” So many times, in life I find myself just like Justus!
“Father God, you never told me that.” – Gabriel
“Son, I told you 3 times.” – God
“No, nope, never, you are wrong!” – Gabriel
Thinking we are mature does not make us mature. Being a person in consistent and constant prayer, that is a level of maturity. Prayer means we are engaged in His presence.
One of the main points of Kingdom Parenting that I have emphasized over the year is that Kingdom Parenting happens all the time. It happens in the small things, and it is in the little things that we begin to build trust. One of the greatest benefits of being a Kingdom Parent is that there are always moments. God moments. I brush my kids’ teeth, tuck them in, pray with them every night. Most times, nothing happens – but every now and then there is a moment. “Daddy, what does it mean to believe in Jesus?”
We never know when these moments can happen, but God moments requires us to be full of the Holy Spirit to respond not just as a parent, but as Kingdom Parents.
Siang Yang challenged the pastoral team to pray for everyone by name every day, and we are going to try. But I also put that challenge on the church. Pray for people by name every day.
If you are a parent – start with your children.
If you are married – pray for your spouse.
If you work – add your favourite co-worker.
If you are single – pray for your parents.
The point is, Kingdom Parenting requires prayer. The world desperately needs Kingdom Parents, it desperately needs Jesus, and it desperately needs prayer.