I will never forget a young boy who came up to me after a men’s prayer meeting. For some time, his grandmother had been fighting cancer, and the news kept getting worse and worse. This child shared that his family had prayed together for many months. And with excitement, he added that they had just gotten word the cancer was gone.
There is no better way for kids to learn to pray. This child’s parents didn’t just speak about bringing requests to God; they modeled it. As a result, the lesson will stay with their son throughout his life.
This example demonstrates a powerful principle: Kids learn best when taught by example. They watch everything Mom and Dad do—and they’re great imitators.
Think about all the positive and negative ways this truth can play out. For example, if we want children to be obedient to the Lord, we are wise to live godly lives in front of them. And if we pray in a fervent, honest way, they are likely to learn that habit as well, and turn to God for guidance, strength, and security. On the other hand, we might think of habits or choices that we hope the kids won’t pick up. That’s why it’s a good idea to take “inventory” of the lessons that our lives are teaching about faith, values, friends, priorities, and finances.
Consider what your children will be like if they follow in your footsteps exactly. Then think about which areas of your life might need adjustment. Pray for discernment—and the strength to make any necessary changes. Remember, your offspring will likely reflect your life, so be sure that you are a reflection of God to them.
Was his grandma receiving medical attention?
LikeLike
Yes, she had received some medical treatment over the period of many months. Towards the end, however, she was told that there was little if anything else doctors’ could do.
Yet they continued with prayer.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
LikeLike
I’d be thanking the doctors.
LikeLike
Even though they capitulated? Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating anything contrary to science and medicine. However, the Doctors, at some point in her treatment, did give up sending her home to family with the understanding there was little or nothing further they could do.
The post states that they had been praying for her for months. Indicating some time frame from when Dr.’s gave up their charge and perhaps prayer was fully substituted. I am certain, however, there was at least some prayer fully along the way.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and yours, my friend.
LikeLike
So let me get this straight: This person sought medical assistance. They went through treatment and the family kept praying to an invisible deity in the sky. The doctors admitted they didn’t know what else to do. The cancer went into remission (which happens quite a bit when treated) and suddenly this deity gets the credit because these prayers supposedly changed its mind and granted healing?
Yeah…I think it might have more to do with the treatment this person received by medical professionals.
LikeLike
I do not doubt your conclusion of which is based more so on science than faith. But what about instances where science (i.e. medical profession) has been rendered useless in regards to healing? For example: I come from a very Christian family.
albeit I do not normally speak on my own testimony and experience I feel it useful in this case.
In 1954 I was one of the millions struck with Polio. In 1954 there was no cure for Polio and many died or were rendered crippled as a result. Here we have an example where the medical profession was helpless against this disease; at least until 1957 when a preventative was founded. As a Polio survivor I can tell you first hand that, other than a slight Sacroiliac deformity (off 7/16 of an inch) I am cured by what can only be through faith and prayer. I was healed prior to the 1957 preventative medication’s introduction. In 1958, at the age of 8 years of age, I was playing little league baseball and other sports. I could walk without braces. Although I recall quite adamantly the pain associated with this disease I am virtually without defect or deformity.
Now, you say “yeah, I think it might have more to do with treatment this person received by medical professionals.” How then do you respond to my case and “faith and prayer?”
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and yours always.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
LikeLike
First off, I’m glad you survived.
However, again this can easily be explained without a supernatural deity. It’s a well known fact that not everyone who got the disease was killed. Many survived:
Though most people recovered quickly from polio, some suffered temporary or permanent paralysis and even death. Many polio survivors were disabled for life. They were a visible, painful reminder to society of the enormous toll this disease took on young lives.
http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/history-polio-poliomyelitis
LikeLike
I wish to thank you for your concern and well wishes, Cranium. I was fortunate in having not only survived but coming through it virtually unharmed by comparison to others.
I appreciate you having to copy they thoughts and words of a web site in order to advance your position. I understand it because you were not living at that period of time. Thus it is nearly impossible for you to fully understand the countless thousands who died or were severally crippled by the disease. In fact, today it is nearly impossible to find medical records on people from so long ago who fell prey to the disease of Polio. it was that long ago.
The article you quoted is not accurate fully and through it (you and they) state more statistic than substance. It down plays the significance and impact this disease had on society. I know. I was there. In fact, a young girl across the alley from our home was struck also with Polio. To this day she is strapped to crutches and suffers paralysis in both her legs. My best friends sister died from the disease. It was no picnic for anyone who had it or had a family member who contracted it.
So my question to you is still this. How do you contribute my coming from it in general good health when others came from it with paralysis or died as a result of it? Myself? I contribute it too faith and prayer by my family. There is power in prayer, Cranium. God tells us “He will never forsake us.” It is through faith we are saved – and in this world there are many things of which we need saved from……
Once again, Cranium, I pray the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob blesses you and yours always.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
LikeLike
“I appreciate you having to copy they thoughts and words of a web site in order to advance your position.”
I just offered evidence of my position.
“I understand it because you were not living at that period of time.”
It’s not needed to live in that time period to understand what medical professionals say about it or to understand statistics.
“The article you quoted is not accurate fully and through it (you and they) state more statistic than substance.”
Actually, it is. It’s from a College of Physicians. I know you want to believe a deity stepped in and saved your life, but in reality, people did survive Polio. It wasn’t that uncommon and a deity isn’t needed to explain a recovery.
“To this day she is strapped to crutches and suffers paralysis in both her legs. My best friends sister died from the disease. It was no picnic for anyone who had it or had a family member who contracted it.”
That’s horrible. I’m sorry for her.
I’m also glad medical science found a way to prevent it from happening to even more people.
“How do you contribute my coming from it in general good health when others came from it with paralysis or died as a result of it? ”
Read the medical link. The explanation is plain as day.
“Myself? I contribute it too faith and prayer by my family. There is power in prayer, Cranium. God tells us “He will never forsake us.”
Millions of starving children would disagree with you. Millions of people dying from disease per year would also probably disagree with you.
“It is through faith we are saved – and in this world there are many things of which we need saved from……”
Maybe. In this case, a natural explanation is available and far more likely than divine intervention.
“Once again, Cranium, I pray the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob blesses you and yours always.”
Thank you. I don’t think it exists, but thank you for your kind wishes all the same. 🙂
I extend my well-wishes to you as well.
LikeLike
Love this post Michael, thank you for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
I wish to thank you for saying so, Mel. That means a great deal to me. You are welcome. I am pleased in sharing with others.
God bless.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
LikeLike