The Mother Hen

Praying for Your Kids Monday--Gentleness

When I was younger I used to equate gentleness weakness. Thankfully, as I've gotten older, met more people and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my life I've seen that gentleness is actually a sign of great strength.

God has blessed me with a very gentle husband. He's thoughtful in his words, tender in his teaching and cautious of others' feelings. As I watch him with Samuel and Emily I am grateful they have such a godly example of gentleness (as well as many other wonderful virtues that Jeff has). What's interesting though is while his gentle spirit is how I am quick to describe him I have never thought of him as weak, actually quite the opposite as though his gentleness gives him a quiet strength. I wasn't surprised then as I began researching for tonight to find the following passage:

The Greek translation of gentleness is prah-ot’-ace. The Greek language is a precise and expressive language. When the Greeks developed a word, they not only gave it a careful definition, but they almost always illustrated it. A tamed horse has yielded or submitted it’s strength; the strength of the animal is no longer wasted wildly, but has been focused in order to fulfill a purpose.

Gentleness then is power under control, submitted strength.

I believe gentleness is one of those virtues that tells the world we are followers of Christ. In ourselves we are unable to reign in strength and power and have gentle spirits. Paul tells us in Colossians to clothe ourselves in gentleness and we learn in Galatians that gentleness is a direct result of having the Spirit living in us and "Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives." (5:24-25; The Message)

So let us pray for our children to clothe themselves in gentleness and point others to Christ through their gentle words and actions. Lord, I pray for _________ to have a gentle spirit. I pray You will put people in his life that will be an example of power under control and that he will see submitted strength as a virtue and not a weakness. I pray You will draw ________ to You and pour Your Spirit out on him. It is in the gentle and powerful name of Christ I pray, Amen.