BONUS: Marked by an Undivided Heart

“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” —Psalm 86:11

We’re called to teach our kids to love Jesus when they wake up, when they go to bed, on the way to baseball, on vacation, coming home from preschool, getting dressed for prom, when someone was mean to them, and everywhere in between. We’re training them to live for Jesus in all circumstances.

As parents, it often means we’re less concerned with academic potential and more interested in our child’s heart for the lonely kid at lunch. It’s relentlessly praying that our kids’ inclinations to pursue popularity won’t dilute the truth of their calling and identity in Christ. It’s a mindset shift to the eternal when everyone around them seems focused on the temporal.

But, even with the best of intentions, our hearts become so easily divided this side of heaven. It happens when our commitment to Jesus starts to be overshadowed by our desire for comfort, convenience, entitlement, and entertainment.

As we pray this week for undivided hearts, we’re praying that our kids understand at an early age the importance of an unwavering commitment to Jesus. It’s praying that they have a God-given resolve to follow his word and his calling on their lives, whatever the cost.

Lord, teach us to appreciate that the small things of earth will someday be the big things in heaven. Teach [name] the significance of an undivided heart, marked by a commitment to following you—even when it’s the harder path. Give our family a new spirit of determination to seek you and rely on your faithfulness.

God’s word speaks: Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26–27; Jeremiah 17:10; Psalm 51:10