Offering prayer in public on behalf of minor children during a kindergarten graduation is considered, today. Christ is our only mediator provided by the Father, and no one else may fill his role or take his place. Adults must be careful to present prayer as a sacred practice and not simply another secular activity. The intercession and prayers of those who follow Jesus Christ only become acceptable to divinity when the heart, mind, and spirit of the Lord are being acknowledged and communicated. Then, ones words express the gratitude, hope, humility, sacred intent, joy, love, praise and righteousness of the Savior and those endowed with his Spirit, rather than merely the desires, needs and thoughts from an individual seeking to minister by prayer. For an assembly, the framework for effective prayer must be agreement, and shared spirit. Because the prayer is to carry all assembled into the divine presence, it also pertains to examination and judgment. Thus, the children should first have been prepared at home through parental instruction, and the sacred practice within their own family. While adults will often have correct knowledge regarding the carnal, emotional, intellectual, material and other needs of children, they are not to presume themselves expert regarding all the detailed spiritual needs of those who come under their protection. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “ceila” (Level 1 with 97 points a member since March 24, 2015) attacked using the following:
I need kindergarten graduation closing prayer to read tomorrow afternoon. please help!?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. (1st Samuel 3: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Family and Beliefs of Children? (08/29/2014); Stories Repeated in the Bible? (08/30/2014); Why the Gospel for Our Children (05/13/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013); Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012); Why Did The Judges Fight? (10/19/2012)
“ceila”, where you only want to put on an act, or public performance (we say, ceremony) a poem from a greeting card will do. Where you truly want to intercede, and speak to divinity on behalf of the children, their parents, the staff of the institution, and others, your prayer must come from your spirit. Consider again the following:
(1.) Psalm 54: 1-3 King James Version (KJV): Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
(2.) Matthew 6: 5-14 (KJV): And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
(3.) Matthew 5: 16 (KJV): Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Here, again, there is far more that must be plainly said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Truth spoken in love is the primary need (like here). Leading a group in prayer is not the same as offering a prayer as their representative and spokesperson. A brief heartfelt prayer is better than a long-winded speech that attempts to include everything from a laundry list of needs and “things to do.” As their final instruction, the children may be sent forth with words of blessing, or a passage from the Scriptures, no more than 3 or 4 verses as with Numbers 6: 24-26 (KJV): The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment