When we're sad over a matter, especially when faced with failure or bereavement, tears are inevitable. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet who lamented over the destruction of Jerusalem due to her sins and iniquities. He wrote in Lamentations 2:19, "Arise, cry out in the night,as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner." He encouraged God's people to pray travailing prayers for their children; that they do not die of hunger.
In our context today, parents' prayers for their children may not be due to the lack of food. It may be due more to the effects of living in an affluent society. Children nowadays have plenty in terms of food and luxuries. Where food is concerned, it could be due to the ill effects of junk food with its attendant problem like obesity and other related health issues. As for luxuries, a whole host of gaming devices has sprouted to target both young and old. Addiction to gaming (online or otherwise) has caused many children to neglect their studies and be zonked out during lessons. Some of these could be potentially evil in nature and needs the ministry of deliverance. Social networking media is another cause for concern if not reign in properly. Parents should restrict the amount of time children spend on the internet, apart from the need to do research on the net.
Children in their teenage years are easily influenced by their peers and what the media portrays. Many teenagers (esp girls) are crazy over Justin Bieber, the Canadian singing sensation. His coming concert in Singapore has been sold out. My daughter wanted to go but we didn't allow her. Whether we like it or not, our children will change in their mindset when they progress on in life. However, when children start to grow wayward and rebel against parents, it signals that work has to be put in to restore the relationship. Many times, prayer cum heart-to-heart talk is needed. Children who go astray from the Lord signifies that the enemy has found a beachhead and planted a stronghold in their lives. In times like these, the support of prayer warriors is crucial as we may not have the ability to carry the burden on our own.
I accompanied my students to Tanjung Balai yesterday as part of the school's programme to develop service learning skills set. The place harks back to Singapore in the 1950s and 60s. It was certainly an eye opener for many of the students as they interacted with the village children, many of whom were already taking care of their younger siblings when they are only about 6 or 7 years of age. They were a contented lot where simple games and sweets would already make them very happy. They were treated to packet food which many of them shared in order to take back the extras for family members. Living in attap/zinc-roofed houses with pigs, dogs, chickens and goats, their only luxury was a TV set. The fathers of the house are fishermen, earning their keep. I was glad to note that a church has adopted the village and volunteers were bringing good cheer to them through Christian songs.
The village children do not have examinations to sit; only the older ones attend school. Their simple lifestyle is but a breath of fresh air to us city dwellers who are accustomed to all the high tech gadgets. They don't have maids to look after them; only their mothers while their fathers are away. The students left Tanjung Balai with a greater appreciation of what they have and not waste the things that they have. As they say, let's live simply so that others may simply live.
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