Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, "O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born."
—Judges 13:8
Manoah’s story also teaches us that God loves to answer a parent’s cry. The angel had nothing new to communicate beyond what he had previously said to the woman. Yet, God sent the angel because He will not ignore the parent who seeks to fully know His will. The fact of the angel having come once encouraged Manoah to hope he might come a second time. Those who have already had communications with God concerning teaching their children, will be those who desire more instruction.
The answer to Manoah’s prayer contained no new revelation. It simply pointed back to the instruction previously given: “Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware…all that I commanded her let her observe” (Judges 13:13-14). In answer to our prayer, it may be that no new truth will be revealed, perhaps even no new thought impressed. However, the answer to the prayer may be something better. The Holy Spirit may lead us back to what the Lord has already spoken, to study more carefully the principles laid down in Holy Scripture for the training of our children. It is then tat we will realize as never before how our children are the Lord’s, and they must be kept holy for Him. We will more deeply understand how parents are God’s ministers, in whose holy life the children are to be blessed.
Excerpt taken from Raising your Children for Christ by Andrew Murray. This excerpt can be found in Chapter 16. Public Domain.