“When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.”- Genesis 7:1 NLT
Our car rides to school weren’t far. I mean we only lived about 5 blocks away. Yet my old man insisted that he drive us there each morning and somehow always found just the right amount of time to pray for everything and everybody: for me and my siblings, for my uncles and cousins, for the sick and the poor, for our teachers and their families, for the church and the unsaved. He’d ask for our protection from dangers seen and unseen and for favor with our teachers. Sometimes he’d even pray for our friends (the ones he didn’t like so much).
My dad was consistent, committed, and calculated.
I didn’t know this then but my dad prayed with the purpose of impacting the future. His prayers weren’t just for that day but were intended to shape the rest of our lives. I imagine it was the same case for Noah. During a time where the world was full of corruption and violence Noah (alone) found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Like my siblings and I; Shem, Ham, & Japheth were not deserving of God’s grace. They probably should have drowned in those floodwaters with the others.
I picture the moments of criticism, ridicule, & even doubt that Noah must have encountered (maybe even from his own family) but he loved God and was obedient to His instructions. It was this obedience that brought unmerited protection and blessings for his sons and their families. I’m sure my dad experienced seasons of discouragement too. I’m certain he had moments where he wondered if his prayers even made a difference. Our rebellion as teenagers undoubtedly caused him heartache and grief but it never stopped him from praying, worshipping, and believing that God’s promises were true!
I believe Noah was the product of a praying parent too. He was, after all, the great grandson of Enoch who, like himself, walked in close fellowship with God. Enoch’s prayers undeniably shaped the course of Noah’s life and consequently the lives of all generations to follow. Because of Noah’s relationship with God his sons and their families were not only spared but also blessed in abundance.
I am so grateful for those car ride prayers and the intercession my old man made on my behalf. His petitions for my life are still being answered today!Can you imagine the impact we would have on the future of our
families & the generations ahead if we too tapped into our praying parent power?
Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer. Teach me how to pray and stand in the gap for my family. Place in me a thirst that can only be satisfied by You so that I, like Noah, can help lead my family to your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 NLT
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