PRAYING FOR A BABY BOOM

Where have all the children gone?

In 2024, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recorded the lowest birth rate in American history: 1.6 children per woman. This is well below the replacement rate of 2.1 (that is the rate needed to maintain a stable population). Alarms have been going off, even among our political leaders, as this trend is leading us toward an economic and societal collapse in the not too distant future.

Why is this happening? According to a Pew research study, it’s because more and more Americans are choosing not to have children. Here are their top three reasons:

• They want to focus on other things, such as their career or interests

• They have concerns about the state of the world

• They feel they can’t afford to raise a child

This is not surprising. Even so, this kind of reasoning is not appropriate for those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. According to Scripture, here are three reasons why we, as Christians, should actively choose to have children (assuming they are married and physically able)…even if it requires a significant sacrifice on our part.

REASON #1: This is God’s first commandment for the human race.

When God created man in His image, He created them male and female and He blessed them and said: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen. 1:28) The desire to pursue other career goals and interests is not necessarily a problem for a believer as this is part of our subduing the earth. But even before we attend to the business of this world, we are commanded to be fruitful and multiply. There is no point in building houses and pursuing dreams that will merely die with us. In fact, it’s the presence of our own children and grandchildren that actually drives our passion for making the world a better place. This is especially true for those of us who are about to exit this world.

REASON #2: Children are a Blessing from the Lord.

The wise King Solomon declared: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” (Psalm 127:3-5)

Yes, of course, we should be concerned about the state of this cursed world. But children are not a curse. They are a blessing from the Lord and the absence of them only makes the world more miserable. The birth of a child is one of the greatest pleasures of life, and even the weakest and most infirm come to life in the mere presence of a little child. (Just bring a little one into a nursing home and watch the place light up!)

REASON #3: The Kingdom of heaven belongs to little children.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

The truest riches and eternally satisfying rewards are not our material possessions. The true riches are spiritual blessings that have been given to us in Christ: the forgiveness of sins, peace with God, the hope of eternal life, the love and joy of the Holy Spirit. According to Jesus, the little children show us the way to these eternal treasures. And since the Son of God welcomes little children into His presence, who are we to forbid them entrance into this world?

Children are a gift from God, and they are to be welcomed and received with great joy. That’s why I have been praying for a baby boom…and I hope you’ll join me.