OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY JULY 24TH 2025

TOPIC: ANOINT AND PRAY OVER YOUR CHILDREN

MEMORISE:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” - (Joel 2:28)

READ: 1 SAMUEL 16:12-13 (KJV)

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

MESSAGE:

Parents cannot raise their children all by themselves. This is because many other factors are involved in a child's destiny that parents cannot control. Some of these factors include the environment where their children are growing up, the people they interact with, their genetic makeup, and even spiritual forces that surround their entire family and the children in particular. This is why, beyond all the things that parents do physically to raise their children, they must also pray for them regularly and seek God's help to raise them correctly. Parents must also anoint and pray over their children regularly to protect them from evil forces.

In the short time that I have spent on the earth, I have seen the enemy work all manners of evil in the lives of children. Many times, some parents heap blames on their children for lacking focus, being unserious, or being lazy when they do not succeed, especially in their academics. They get frustrated that they are spending so much money on them without good results. They may not know that there might be forces of darkness that are hindering the child's progress. It is possible for a student to study very hard and just blank out in the examination hall. There was a case at the University of Lagos some years ago where, right in the examination hall, a young man just began to urinate non-stop. There was some pandemonium, and those around him began to call an ambulance. However, he told them that this was not the case for the doctor and that they should call his pastor instead. His pastor prayed for him, and he was healed.

The anointing sets a child apart for greatness. Although David was destined to be the king of Israel, that destiny did not find expression until he was anointed. After he was anointed, the Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:13). In the very next chapter, he killed the Philistine giant, Goliath, and became a national figure (1 Samuel 17:48-51). If you are a parent, speak God's counsel over your children and anoint them regularly. Let them know that they belong to God and that anyone who touches them touches the apple of God's eye (Zechariah 2:8). I pray that God will protect every child from the attacks of the enemy, in Jesus' name.

KEY POINT:
Anointing and praying over children regularly protects them from the devil's plans and sets them apart for greatness.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 35-37

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 16 - 'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

1 ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.

3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.

4 I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.