"BUILD ME A SON"
General MacArthur and family 1950
General Douglas MacArthur was a father of prayer. He and his wife Jean only had one child.
Arthur MacArthur IV was born 21st February 1938.
General MacArthur's prayer over his son is significant. It was recorded, and his prayer has now stood the test of time.
His deep and wise thoughts are not to be glossed over, but rather purposely considered - even pursued.
He prayed to God:
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who shall know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, 'I have not lived in vain.' ~ AMEN
The prayers of a righteous father are of unspoken, unknown and eternal assistance.
Sons are a heritage from the Lord. children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. (Psalm 127:3-5a)
Today's Soul Snippet:
'A man is immortal until his work on earth is done.' ~ George Whitfield
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