Mother
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much” (James 5:17).
One day in the year 387-
– the great church father that played a decisive role in the development of spiritual thinking of the West was baptised.
For his mother Monika-
– it was an answer to a lifetime of prayer.
Augustine was born in the year 387 in North Africa.
His father was not a believer but his mother was a devout Christian.
Her son, however, had an unruly streak in him.
He was undisciplined, more interested in sports than schoolwork and loved the ladies, so much so that he became a father at the age of 18.
Far from learning to be more responsible, he carried on sowing his wild oats.
Meanwhile, his mother worried herself sick about her son, to no avail.
However, she kept praying for him.
Later on he went to Milan in an effort to escape his mother’s watchful eye, but she was too smart for him.
She too came to live in Milan.
There she met the ancient and wise Father Ambrose and told him all about her wayward son.
The words he spoke to her are worth remembering for parents who are concerned about their children’s lifestyles.
“It is not possible for a son for whom so many prayers are said, to remain lost!”
At that time Augustine, already a highly educated and well-read man was sitting in a friend’s garden reading when he heard a child singing, “Take and read.”
He took the Bible and opened it to Romans 13 where he read the passage.
He was so moved by what he read, that at that very moment he became converted.
Ambrose baptised him as well as his son while a mother was comforted at last (God does answer prayers) gratefully stood by.
Her lifelong prayers for her son paid off and saved one of the greatest leaders of the early church for posterity,
Parents, take heart.
Pray without ceasing.
God hears even if it is in his own time.
“Lord, I realise that praying for my child is as important as giving him his daily bread. May I as a parent never forsake my duty. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”