Lesson 17: Pray for Friends and Children
3 John 1-4 (ESV) - www.bible.com/bible/59/3jn.1

God’s Words:
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

My words:
Dearest Jesus, my Best Friend and Brother, I praise You for drawing me into Your eternal Family with Your unconditional love, and for being the One Who stays closer than a brother to me. I thank You for the wonderful friends in the Family of God you’ve given me to enjoy and encourage! Bless each one with good physical, emotional and spiritual health, and with success as they work in Your harvest field. Please keep their children healthy and strong, to grow up to be choice servants of Yours.

I pray for my own children – both my physical children and the spiritual children in our Family You’ve given me to nurture. I couldn’t be happier than when I hear these children are continuing in Your Way of Truth! Protect them from the snares of the evil one, and continue to lead and guide them along the paths of Truth. Open my eyes to opportunities to encourage and cheer them on, and remind me to pray diligently and specifically for each one. Bring strong Christians into their lives to influence them toward You and to love them with Your love.

I lean on Your promise in Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” You will probably call me Home before most of my children are called into Your presence, but I know my prayers for them will live on after I have left this earth. Guard the legacy I leave them to ensure it glorifies You alone. Use me as an instrument in Your hands to reflect You, as the moon reflects the sun, during the days I have left. You are the Potter; I am the clay. In Your matchless Name I lift my friends and children up to You, amen.

*How can/do you encourage your friends and children to continue in the Truth?