OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH, 2026 TOPIC: THE INTENTIONAL PARENT III AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE MEMORISE: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Matthew 7:17 BIBLE READING: PSALM 34:1-3 (KJV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. MESSAGE: Over the past two days, I have discussed how important it is for parents to train their children in God's way and some of the things they must consciously do to achieve this. A poorly trained child often grows up to become a nuisance to society. However, when children are brought up in a godly manner, they grow up to become adults whom their parents can be proud of and good models for other people to emulate. As I round off this series today, I would like to mention again that parents should teach their children God's word, ways, and principles at all times. It is not enough to teach and guide them occasionally; parents must train their children at all times. For example, parents must teach their children when they are in the house, away from home, and when they sit, stand, or lie down (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). I will discuss one other thing that parents must do at all times as part of their lifestyle, and this is showing gratitude. In today's Bible reading, David said that he would bless the Lord at all times, and His praise shall continually be on his lips. This is one of the things that parents must do non-stop; they should continually praise the Lord. Some Christian homes are filled with grumbling, complaining, and all manner of negative talk. Raising children in such an atmosphere will condition them to have a negative mindset when they grow up to become adults. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) says that we should always give thanks to God in everything, regardless of whatever situation we find ourselves in. Parents should let gratitude flow from their lips continually so that their children can pick up that trait from them. Many of the problems in society today stem from the fact that there are too many ungrateful adults who have grown up with a sense of entitlement. In Genesis 22:1-18, when Abraham was taking Isaac up Mount Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice to God, Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the sacrifice was. This shows that Isaac knew that no one should go to worship God empty-handed. He had learnt the art of worship and thanksgiving from his father and must have seen his father practice it many times. Giving thanks always is a very important thing that every parent must do to train up their children in the way of the Lord. Parents who are not grateful and thankful should not expect their children to be. KEY POINT: Ungrateful parents usually raise ungrateful children. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 11-13 HYMNAL: 18 PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY, THE KING OF CREATION 1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation! Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near, join me in glad adoration. 2 Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning; sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining! Have you not seen all that is needful has been sent by his gracious ordaining? 3 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriends you. 4 Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him. Let the Amen sound from his people again; gladly forever adore him. Prayer Points on today's Open Heavens Tuesday, 17th March, 2026 *THE INTENTIONAL PARENT III* ✓I will bless Your name at all times, Your praise shall continually be on my lips. I will magnify and exalt Your name forever. ✓Father, thank You for giving me children that will bring glory to Your name, and joy to me. Thank You because You will help me not to fail in my role to train them in Your fear. ✓Father, please help me to consciously train the children You have given me, so that they will not become nuisance to the society, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, please help me to bring up my children in a godly manner, let them grow up to become adults whom I will be proud of and good models for other people to emulate, in Jesus' name ✓Father, please help me to teach the children around me, Your word, ways and principles at all times, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, please help all parents not to fail in teaching their children, the value of gratitude to God and man at all times, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, please help me and all parents to be filled with the heart of gratitude for all You have done, all You are doing, and You will do, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, please help me to receive all You have given me as a privilege with much gratitude, and not with a sense of entitlement, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, please help me as a parent never to appear empty handed before You at all times, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, help me to be grateful for all You have done, and to teach my children the way of gratitude, in Jesus' name. ✓Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. Thank You for the salvation of his soul and for the positive impact on his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name. ✓Father, bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name. ✓Father, please let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ✓Your Personal petitions. ( Philippians 4:6) ✓..In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16) #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.