398
Child Guidance
or the mother in the father’s absence, should plead fervently with
God to keep them through the day. Come in humility, with a heart
full of tenderness, and with a sense of the temptations and dangers
before yourselves and your children; by faith bind them upon the altar,
entreating for them the care of the Lord. Ministering angels will guard
children who are thus dedicated to God
Prayer Makes a Hedge About Children—In the morning the
Christian’s first thoughts should be upon God. Worldly labor and
self-interest should be secondary. Children should be taught to respect
and reverence the hour of prayer.... It is the duty of Christian parents,
morning and evening, by earnest prayer and persevering faith, to make
a hedge about their children. They should patiently instruct them—
kindly and untiringly teach them how to live in order to please God
[520]
Have Fixed Times for Worship—In every family there should be
a fixed time for morning and evening worship. How appropriate it is
for parents to gather their children about them before the fast is broken,
to thank the heavenly Father for His protection during the night, and
to ask Him for His help and guidance and watch care during the day!
How fitting, also, when evening comes, for parents and children to
gather once more before Him and thank Him for the blessings of the
day that is past
Do Not Be Governed by Circumstances—Family worship
should not be governed by circumstances. You are not to pray oc-
casionally and, when you have a large day’s work to do, neglect it.
In thus doing you lead your children to look upon prayer as of no
special consequence. Prayer means very much to the children of God,
and thank offerings should come up before God morning and evening.
Says the psalmist, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make
a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his
presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with
psalms.
Fathers and mothers, however pressing your business, do not fail
to gather your family around God’s altar. Ask for the guardianship of
8
Testimonies For The Church 1:397, 398
.
9
Ibid
.
10
Testimonies For The Church 7:43
.
11
Manuscript 12, 1898
.