THE SEEDS OF FAITH EVENTUALLY BLOSSOM!

By Noel Serrano

There is no greater assurance and there is no substitute for steadfast prayer from loving parents who lived on their knees, interceding with intensity , for their children. My late mother, Felicita M. Serrano , my late Aunts Nieves Bosch and Hilda Bosch, spent many hours on their knees pleading and crying out to the Lord for their children. They placed a high priority in raising their children in the admonition of the Lord. They were constantly vigilant in instilling in all their children, the seeds of faith and a love and trust in Almighty God. I can still hear the echoes of these two sisters, crying out to the Lord in the early morning Prayer vigils,"Lord save our children!...Save them, Lord!" This was there way of life and they would place a high priority in the salvation of their offspring. There was no compromise nor deviation from this "Prime Directive" They were well-versed in the clear examples of biblical parents who lived a life of faithful prayers for their children. They clearly understood the example of Abraham when he prayed for Ishmael. Genesis 17:18 reveals Abraham interceding and declaring to God "If only Ishmael would live under your blessing" God answered his prayer and said: " And as for Ishmael, I have heard your prayer and I will surely bless him" Our parents were also aware of the examples of Job, when a period of fasting had run its course, job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning , he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts". This was Job's regular custom. Job 1:5 I n their lifetime, these sisters saw many of their children backslide and many would spend their life outside of the direction of the Lord. This did not distract them. They kept pressing on and became more determined to intercede for their family with continued zest. Waiting for God to answer prayer is often the most difficult component in the lives of men and women of prayer. It requires patience, trust and a complete resignation to ones will. These women of faith pressed on through the years, praying, not only for their children but also their children's children. Many years have passed on since these wonderful ladies have all gone to their reward, but their prayers still echo and reverberate. We are now seeing the results of those prayers, even now. The Grandson of Felicita M. Serrano recently had a major encounter with the Lord. The Lord has saved him and his home. My son, NWS, recently contacted me and informed me that God had placed a new ministry in his heart and he has totally surrendered to God' Will. We see these answered prayers in the life of Jeffrey Torres, a nephew of Nieves Bosch. The Lord made himself real to Jeffrey and now he loves the Lord with full devotion and is also active in ministry. Patrice Mohammed, a niece of Felicita M. Serrano, now sings for the Lord and is very active in her church. Rev Carlo Serrano, a grandson of Felicita Serrano, now inspires  many youths to come to the Cross of Jesus. These are second generation "flowers" that have bloomed due to the answered prayers of strong women of faith that never wavered in their trust for desired salvation of their offspring. God has blessed the many nephews and nieces of Hilda Bosch. This is not a coincidence and it is not a whim of nature. The salvation of our children come from a loving and merciful God who hears the cries of the righteous. The outcome of these prayers may come many years later and may arrive, long after the prayer warriors have departed to Glory but there is no doubt that prayers will reach their desired destination and ultimately sprout the fruits of the blessings! When this happens, let us never proceed from a false assumption that this was attributed by our children, as if it was their idea. We must look back to our parents and grandparents, who laid out a strong rockbed of prayer and intense intercession for the future generation. we must be like them. We must continously pray for our children and the new generation that is to come. There is no greater feeling of joy and happiness than to see ones offspring, on fire for the Lord.