Reasons We Love To
This Valentine’s Day, our young sons might receive or hand out superhero cards that say, “I hope you have a web-slinging day, Valentine!” Or a race car picture with the words, “Speeding your way, to say Happy Valentines Day.” For kids, the holiday can be all about the cupcakes and candy hearts.
But the history of Valentines Day is actually quite epic, heroic and tied to the love of God. One legend says that during 268-270AD the Emperor Claudius II, made a decree to outlaw marriage for single men. He thought soldiers who didn’t have wives or children were better warriors. A local Priest, named Valentine, felt this decision was unjust and, as legend goes, he secretly continued to marry young couples.
Valentine was eventually discovered and jailed. Awaiting his death sentence, he was questioned by a Roman man named Asterius, who had a blind daughter. Valentine cared about her and prayed for her to be healed, and she was. Her father was so moved, he became a follower of Jesus as a result. Before Valentine was executed and died, he wrote a final note to Asterius’ daughter and signed it, “from your Valentine.” His story was passed down, and by the Middle Ages, Valentine would become one of the most well-known saints in England and France. Ever since, people have continued to write notes in February and sign them “from your Valentine”, in the spirit of love. *
Inspired by all that history, devotion and tradition, here is February’s prayer challenge topic:
Pray that your son(s) would fall in love with Jesus. That they would understand who the Lord Jesus is, that they would receive Him as their Savior. Pray that they would be passionately devoted to Jesus all their lives.
Our sons will grow up to experience the love of family, friendship and romantic love. But above all these relationships, we pray our sons will forever love God first and foremost. In God’s unconditional love our sons can know the one who forgives, accepts, restores, heals, blesses and gives grace. That is true love.
Here are some scriptures to lead you in your prayer time.
Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”
2 Timothy 3:15New Living Translation (NLT)
“You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”
John 6:68-69, New International Version (NIV)
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Psalm 71:17-18, New Living Translation (NLT)
O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Romans 8: 38
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
*For more reading on the history and origins of Valentines Day see
St. Valentine, the Real Story http://www1.cbn.com/st-valentine-real-story
The Legend of St. Valentine http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day
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