In times like these, many people ask hard questions about our nation. We look at painful events and wonder: What kind of family raised them? What school shaped them? What values guided them? These questions point us to one truth: children need guidance, prayer, and godly training.

Psalm 144:12–15 (NLT), reminds us that the future of any nation depends greatly on its children. If we want peace, strength, and progress in society, we must pay close attention to how we raise our children.

Children are not just young people growing up in our homes. They are tomorrow’s leaders, builders, teachers, parents, and nation-shapers. The way we train children today will affect the kind of society we see tomorrow.

That is why parenting is not a casual duty. It is a serious responsibility. We owe that duty first to God and then to society. God has placed children in our care, and He expects us to guide them well.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us to train up a child in the way he should go. This means parents must be intentional. A train needs tracks to move in the right direction. In the same way, children need clear direction, godly teaching, and strong examples.

The words we speak at home matter. The habits we model matter. The values we praise matter. Proverbs 31:1 shows us that a parent’s instruction can shape a life.

So we must ask ourselves honest questions: What are our children hearing from us every day? Are we teaching truth, discipline, love, purity, sacrifice, and righteousness? Are we helping children know God and follow His ways?

Whatever enters the mind of a child will show up later in that child’s life. If we fill our children with truth, wisdom, and love, we will help them grow in the right direction.

The home is the first school of every child.

Parents must lead with wisdom and care. Still, schools and government also have an important role. Leaders at every level must support good education and healthy environments for children.

When children do not receive proper education, they can become unskilled, unproductive, and easy to mislead. Evil influences often target children who lack direction. That is why we must build strong homes, strong schools, and strong moral values.

Our nation cannot afford to give up on children. In fact, our greatest hope for a peaceful and prosperous future lies in them.

If we want a better nation, we must start with children, prepare them to lead from an early age, build sound character in them, teach them to love sacrificially and show them how to live in righteousness.

Parents should also help children discover and develop their gifts.

Leaders must not stand back. Teachers must not lose heart. Churches must not stay silent. Everyone has a part to play in raising children well.

As important as training and education are, prayer remains essential.

If the enemy fights against children, then we must fight back through prayer. Our warfare must begin in the spirit. We must stand in the gap for children and trust God to preserve their future.

An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Bolu Oluyomi, on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Watch this sermon here