This is an important topic for every season. However, the reality of the days we are living in right now, are bringing a brand new emphasis and urgency to this very important topic.
The children of this generation, will face challenges non before them have had to face. The shifts in culture and law are ushering in a new reality, wherein we cannot simply trust everything that is presented to us from our society, culture, or even our governments. The days of standing tall in the face of severe adversity may be a new reality sooner than we think. The ability to stand tall and stand for Christ, can be hard for anyone, especially without the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. It is for this important reason that we must be praying for our Children to be baptised in the Holy Spirit. There is no “arrival” on this journey. The journey begins the moment the child is born. The only thing that changes, is the level of understanding. God’s calling and gifts are on them from day one.
What can we do as a church, and more importantly as parents and family members of children, to help them experience the fullness of God? I believe more than anything else, we need to foster and treasure the presence of the living Spirit of God in our homes.
What are some ways I can do that as a parent? What can help me to experience the fullness of the presence of the living God in my own life?
Here are three questions to ask yourself:
Do I hunger and thirst for a fresh experience and touch from God?
Am I striving to lead a holy life?
Am I living my personal relationship with Christ out loud?
This is not an extensive list, but a good starting point as you explore your own desire and need for more of God’s Spirit in your life. Believing and seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit for yourself, should be your first step in leading your children to that experience. Most children actually tend to be more open and sensitive to the Holy Spirit than adults. Have the expectation and faith that your child will be able to experience an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit than you! It’s a wonderful thing to believe and pray for our children to experience an even greater level of fire from the Spirit than we have. So we should lead them boldly and full of faith.
If you as a parent, family member or ministry leader are already baptised in the Holy Spirit, and have been speaking in tongues (which is a common thing — see Acts 2:4), pray in the Spirt for and over your children. It is vital for our children to grow up hearing and experiencing the presence of God in that way. In 1 Corinthians 14:2 we read: “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God.”. Praying in tongues is meant to edify and encourage us and bring us into closer relationships with God.
Being baptised into the Holy Spirit will bring forth many gifts. Your children could be equipped with any one of the gifts of the Spirit we read about in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. I encourage you to read this passage as well.
In conclusion, I look to the answer that Peter and the Apostles gave the people when they heard the message of Jesus the Messiah. The one who was crucified, raised from the dead and ascended to heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father. They asked: “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” - Acts 2:37-39
We believe for ourselves and for our children that we must:
Repent of our sins,
be baptised in water, for the forgiveness of our sins,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For it is a gift and a promise from God, for you and your children. Amen!
Becca Gilliland
National Children’s Ministry Leader, IJG Deutschland