Q: As a Christian parent, what can I do to help my children succeed in school?

A: The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:8 that our ability to succeed is based on our knowledge and understanding of God's Word. It says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

The most important responsibility a parent has is to teach his child the Word of God. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go." In doing this, parents are instructing their children how to be able to deal wisely in every area of life, in the secular as well as the spiritual. God's Word will mold their character, shape their discernment and equip them to respond to any situation they face.

Secondly, pray with and for your child. And pray for those in authority over him. When you speak the Word on behalf of your son or daughter, you establish God's will in their life. In making a faith demand, you are calling the circumstances that surround them to conform to the standard God has set.

Philippians 4:6 says to "be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Q: My husband and I would like to have children. But despite our hopes and prayers over the years, we remain childless. Could it be that we are trying to believe for something that may not be God's will?

A: It is never wrong to believe God for something He has already promised. And His promises concerning children are spelled out clearly in His Word. For example, in Psalm 127:3, the scripture says that "children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psalm 113:9 says, "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children." And Exodus 23:26 promises that "none shall lose her young by miscarriage or be barren in your land" (AMP).

God's Word always reveals His will, and as you make these scriptures part of your prayer life, you can pray confidently for a child of your own. For we are assured in 1 John 5:14-15 that "if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."