Week of Prayer for the Children by Vesta J. Farnsworth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 13, 1913

Week of Prayer for the Children

By Vesta J. Farnsworth

In these closing hours of probation, and during this week of prayer, the children must not be neglected nor forgotten. In every time of danger the first thought is. Are all the children safe? How is it, parents, church elders, and Sabbath-school officers, with those God has placed in your care? If Jesus should come now, are they ready? Are they getting ready? Has all been done that you can do to save them?

This week of prayer affords excellent opportunity for personal effort in behalf of children as well as for others. Let not one be passed by. Plan a time and place for the children’s meetings, and select the best help to conduct them. Let the hearts of fathers and mothers be turned to their children, that whole families may be blessed together.

Where regular meetings cannot be held, let parents study these lessons with their children on the appointed days, and then all seek the Lord together. The hour of family worship might be the best time. Blessings will surely fall where this is done. Let this be a time for seeking the lost piece of silver, the prodigal son or daughter.

“The lost coin represents those who are lost in trespasses and sins, but who have no sense of their condition. They are estranged from God, but they know it not. Their souls are in peril, but they are unconscious and unconcerned. In this parable Christ teaches that even those who are indifferent to the claims of God are the objects of his pitying love. They are to be sought for, that they may be brought back to God. . . .”

“The woman in the parable searches diligently for her lost coin. She lights the candle and sweeps the house. She removes everything that might obstruct her search. Though only one piece is lost, she will not cease her efforts until that piece is found. So in the family, if one member is lost to God, every means should be used for his recovery. On the part of all the others, let there be diligent, careful self-examination. Let the life-practise be investigated. See if there is not some mistake, some error in management, by which that soul is confirmed in impenitence.

“If there is in the family one child who is unconscious of his sinful state, parents should not rest. Let the candle be lighted. Search the Word of God, and by its light let everything in the home be diligently examined, to see why this child is lost.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 193-195.

For those who labor for and instruct the children, these encouraging words are spoken:—

“In our work for the children the object should be not merely to educate and entertain them, but to work for their conversion. We should ask the blessing of God on the seed sown, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit will take hold of even the little ones. If we exercise faith in God, we shall be enabled to lead them to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

“This is a work of the greatest consequence to the younger members of the Lord’s family. In these meetings, even children who are favored with Christian instruction at home can learn much that will be a great help to them. If the children are taught in the simplicity of Christ, . . . they will bring forth from the treasure-house of the heart precious lessons.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI, page 105.

The lessons are simply suggestive. Let the week be one of earnest prayer and effort for the salvation of others.

VESTA J. FARNSWORTH.