Lost Fathers

Good afternoon everyone!

I have had such a refreshing 24 hours! I have been so burdened to be praying and contending for the people of the world and for my church. So please know, if you attend my church, that you are being covered in prayer.

I love prayer, getting close to the Father and really seeing His heart. Along with this, being burdened to humble myself and depend on God. I have found myself wanting nothing more than to get on my knees and spend periods of time. Today, I have just been reinvigorated to have a heart of prayer. Thank you Lord for turning me around! PTL! (For those that do not know acronyms, PTL means Praise the Lord!)

But aside from this, I do want to address something that has bothered me a little bit and its just going to come out. In my meeting this afternoon, we prayed for a single mother and her child. We also prayed for her father, but also mentioned how he is nowhere to be found. As I read this, my heart grieved.

Earlier today, I read from Colossians (I've picked the book up again) and 2 verses stuck out very blatantly to me. They both are commands to men and their roles. The first is Colossians 3:19, which in the NIV reads, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." The second verse is Colossians 3:21, "Fathers, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged."

As I reflect on these two verses, I just see a high importance on the role a man plays in the life of the people around him. First, God commands us to love our wives. The wife is a person who has committed to a life-long walk with this man. This is a person who was designed to be unashamed with her spouse and viewed as of utmost importance. When we love them, we are not harsh with them, for we will treat them dignity and respect. But loving a woman is not an easy task. That might be why God commands it of us - because it is worth it!

Secondly, fathers are not to embitter their children. First, a father has to be around his children in order to play a role like this on their child's life. Children needs their dads - so much research shows this, and fathers do have a responsibility to their children to love them in the best way they can.

But our society is showing something else. As I mentioned earlier, we prayed for a mom and her daughter where the father is absent, and it just grieves my heart. This is not how God meant it to be and it is not how it should be! This is becoming WAY to common in our area and it is so sad.

Fathers, do you not realize what a significant role in your child's lives? You have to turn from thinking about yourself to thinking about your children. They need you. I am not a father, but I know it is not easy. But that should never be a reason to give up! If that was the way it was with God and He gave up on us, what would we do?

Men, let's change what we're doing to this society and this next generation. Your presence means so much more than you can even imagine in the lives of your children. Be there for them, pay attention to them, and love your wife. I plead with you to change the way we've let our society become.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

Heavenly Father, we need you. God, I plead and petition you now to do a work in your children in this world. Lord, we live in a broken and hurting world, and gradually and more gradually we see a generation growing up with a male father figure. Lord, you can change this. Lord, I know that the way children are fathered is how they view you - and I want nothing less for the generation to see you as a loving, nurturing, caring, strong Father. Lord, do not let them be dismayed, but encouraged to know the deep love you have for them. Lord, I pray for all the single mothers and ask that you would give them wisdom, love, and immense strength in the task they have in raising their children. Guide these women Lord to depend on you and love you more. God, I pray for the dads and ask you to fill these men with joy and love for their wives and their children. Lord, would these men be filled with encourage to pour that on their children and love them. God would you give them immense love for their wives. Thank you so much Lord for the gift of fathers in our lives, only to reflect the true nature of You, our Heavenly Father. Lead us men Lord, to take a stance that glorifies you as well Jesus in all our ways. Help us to set our priorities, with you first, our spouses second, and our children third. Guide us after your heart Lord and fill us with your Holy Spirit. I ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.