I see many single parents turn to the church for help. They know they need help in working through a crisis. They understand they need support through prayer partners in the church. However, in today’s world a lot of people simply don’t know how to seek God. Church is foreign to them and they are clueless as to what goes on in that building called the church.
One single mom’s success story
“My children have been in a DC4K (DivorceCare for Kids) program at a church in Ohio. I have to tell you, enrolling my kids in this program is one of the best things I’ve ever done.
My girls’ self-esteem has soared, and they are starting to work through everything that has happened in their lives.
A year ago, I was filled with desperation and despair from a hopeless and abusive marriage. God sent many angels into my life. Recently I began teaching a class called ‘Boundaries.’ I never dreamed I’d be doing something like this. God has been so good to my family.”
God values single parents
Not all single parents are strong enough to search out programs or help for themselves and their kids. Many stumble around for months and even years searching for something that will ease the pain and frustration of parenting alone.
Other single parents will look for someone to fill in the gaps. They start dating and get married too soon. A high number of second marriages fail simply because the people involved haven’t worked through all the issues that brought them to parenting alone.
God values the single parent and their children. He doesn’t want them to fritter their lives away, as it says in Proverbs 15:9, “A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line” (MSG).
God wants and expects those of us called to ministry to assist these families.
What you can do
- Surround the single parent with people in your church that understand parenting alone.
- Provide a prayer team or prayer support group that will commit to praying for particular single parent families. There is power in prayer!
- Involve the single parent and their kids in church.
- Ask the single parent to participate in holiday and special events. While they don’t have a lot of time, just being there to hide the Easter eggs allows them to contribute.
- Provide opportunities for the single parent to contribute to something that will help another person such as bringing in their children’s outgrown clothes or bringing a box of cereal for the food pantry.
- Provide support groups for the parent and the children.
Don’t miss this opportunity to advance the Kingdom
One of the most important things you can do is introduce the single parent to a lifestyle that is surrendered to Christ. Many don’t really know why Christ died on the cross. Make it personal. Untold numbers of single parents have come to know Christ as Savior during this crisis time in their lives.
Also look for ways to introduce their children to Jesus. Do it now while they are young and receptive to a God who will always be there for them and never forsake them.
This article originally appeared here.
