By Charles Ighele 

After Adam fell and gave planet earth to the devil, the devil then became the god of this world. Putting his systems of doing things on planet earth, he enthroned his own people in all the mountains (politics, business, family, religion, media, education and entertainment). Parents owe enormous responsibilities to their children both material and immaterial. Among the material responsibilities parents owe their children are providing food, clothing, shelter, and others. The immaterial responsibilities include giving godly advice, counseling and interceding (praying).

When children are off to school or to other places they come in contact with different people of divergent views, philosophies, behaviour and mindsets about things. They see different things that they don’t see at home. They hear things that they have not heard on the home front. They get advice from their friends in school telling them to smoke, go to club, drink alcohol and have boyfriends or girlfriends. Some are even under pressure from friends to join secret cults in the higher institutions. And because they are still young at heart they might bow to the pressures mounted on them by their friends.

As parents, among the immaterial responsibilities you owe your children is prayer. When your children are not with you or when you are not with your children, you owe them a duty to pray for them ceaselessly. I often hear parents say things like “my son cannot do this,” “my daughter cannot do that.” “I know my son/daughter very well.” And I have always stated to parents clearly that they do not know their children. Your child who was an introvert before going to school might have changed due to pressure from his friends in school.

The Bible admonished us to pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17, this ceaseless prayer should be made for both children who are well-behaved and those who misbehave. Keep interceding for your children at all times. It is part of your responsibilities as a parent. Love you!

• Bishop Charles Ighele is the General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission, Lagos.