Raising children in today’s world can often feel overwhelming, but as parents, we are not alone in this journey. God wants to partner with us, speaking into the lives of our children and guiding us as we raise them according to His divine plan. When we understand that every child is created with a unique purpose and destiny, it transforms the way we approach parenting.
God’s heart for us is to guide us every step of the way, helping us to raise our children according to His blueprint, not our own. He has entrusted us with their lives, and He desires to reveal to us who they truly are, why He brought them into the world through us, and what their future holds. Here are three ways God wants to speak to you concerning your children: their name, their consecration, and their purpose.
1. God Wants to Reveal Your Child’s Name
In scripture, names are more than just labels; they carry deep significance and often relate to a person’s calling or character. When God gave children to key figures in the Bible, He frequently specified their names. For instance, when the angel appeared to Zechariah, he instructed that the child should be named John (Luke 1:13). Similarly, Mary was told to name her son Jesus (Luke 1:31).
This teaches us that God places great importance on the names of our children because their names are often connected to their identity and purpose. As parents, we should seek God’s guidance in naming our children. Perhaps you have already named your children, but it’s never too late to ask God what He calls them in the Spirit. By doing so, you align with His vision for their lives and ensure that their identity is rooted in His plans.
2. God Wants to Reveal Your Child’s Consecration
Every child has a unique calling, and with that calling often comes specific instructions for their consecration—what they should and shouldn’t do in order to fulfill their God-given purpose. Consecration is about being set apart for God’s special purposes. We see examples of this in the lives of John the Baptist and Samson. In Luke 1:15, John’s consecration was given to his parents: “He is never to take wine or other fermented drink.” Similarly, in Judges 13:4-5, Samson’s mother was told that he was to be a Nazarite, and therefore his hair must never be cut and he must abstain from certain foods.
God’s instructions for our children’s consecration may not be as literal as John or Samson’s, but they are just as important. They might pertain to what media your child is exposed to, what activities they participate in, or the people they surround themselves with. God might reveal to you specific things your child should avoid, like particular environments or habits, in order to protect and nurture their calling. As parents, it is vital to be attuned to the Holy Spirit’s guidance on what is permissible and what is not in your child’s life, as it may differ from what is acceptable for other children.
3. God Wants to Reveal Your Child’s Purpose
Perhaps the most profound thing God wants to reveal to you about your child is their purpose—the reason He brought them into the world. Just as He revealed the purposes of children like John the Baptist, Samson, and Jesus to their parents, He also wants to make clear the purpose of your child. For example, in Luke 1:17, the angel reveals that John’s purpose was “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Samson was purposed to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5).
Knowing your child’s purpose helps you to raise them in alignment with that calling. It shapes the way you train them, the opportunities you provide, and the values you instill in them. It also prepares them for their destiny, allowing them to grow in confidence and wisdom, knowing that they are walking in God’s divine plan for their life.
How to Hear from God Concerning Your Children
God is always speaking, but we must be willing to listen. If we are too busy or distracted, we may miss out on what He is trying to reveal to us about our children. Here are some practical steps to hearing God’s voice concerning your children:
- Develop a Personal Relationship with God:
The foundation of hearing from God concerning your children is having your own relationship with Him. Just as Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as “righteous in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6), we too must live lives that are connected to God and His Word.
2. Be Intentional in Prayer:
Take time to specifically ask God questions about your children. Ask Him to reveal their identity, purpose, and consecration. Journaling your prayers and thoughts can help capture what God is saying. Set aside regular time to pray, listen, and write down what you hear.
On the 30th August, by 12am, I will be hosting an online prayer meeting “Discovering the Prophetic Destiny of your Children”, creating an atmosphere for us to hear from the Lord concerning our children. To be a part of this, please register your interest here.
3. Be Observant and Attuned to the Holy Spirit:
Sometimes God speaks to us through the circumstances or natural inclinations of our children. Pay attention to their strengths, interests, and personalities. This can give insight into what God is calling them to do.
4. Listen in Community:
Just as God used the angel to speak to Zechariah and Mary, He can use other believers to confirm His word to you concerning your children. Be open to the counsel of wise mentors, spiritual leaders, and others who may have a prophetic word for your family.
A Call to Intentional Parenting
Parenting with intention requires that we not only raise our children with love and care but that we do so according to God’s divine plan. We must understand that we are raising future leaders, ministers, creatives, and world-changers. They have been entrusted to us for a reason, and it is our job to nurture their God-given potential.
So, take time to listen. God is speaking to you concerning your children. He wants to tell you their name, their consecration, and their purpose. When you align yourself with His voice, you raise your children not according to your own ideas but according to His perfect plan for their lives. Your children are precious seeds, filled with divine potential, and God wants to help you cultivate that to fruition.
Be intentional. Be prayerful. And most importantly, be open to hearing God’s voice. Your children’s future depends on it.