Archive for June, 2018

The Influence of A Praying Grandfather

 

What a source of joy and blessing when teen age grandchildren recognize the gift of love and prayer that a  grandfather has sown into their lives. Let It strengthens the family when a father, grandfather and men pray in the home. Oh, the great influence of a praying Grandfather.  Fervent prayers for children and grandchildren regarding their destiny and for their protection will bring forth much fruit.

Grandfather McGinnis’ Influence

Deacon Shurman McGinnis( picture below) has given his grandchildren, Shanelle and Shurman ,a solid sense of direction  by demonstrating to them  a consistent and fervent prayer life. When a father, grandfather or a parent teaches a child to pray and to make prayer a part of the foundation of their lives, they give them the ultimate gift, benefit and blessing. A praying grandfather demonstrates to his grandson or granddaughter how to go before the Lord and how to have a friendship with the Lord. He teaches the grandchild to seek the Lord  for guidance and direction  and to find strength and courage to face the circumstances they must face as youth. The Word states “When I called , you answered me: you made me bold and stouthearted”. Ps 138:3

Accordingly,  teach  your children or grandchildren to pray a prayer when they wake up in the morning,  to pray in the car on the way to school and  to allow them to pray over family situations and decisions  , that are age appropriate for ,  such as where do we go on vacation  etc.

We see the benefits of prayer in a letter Deacon McGinnis received from his granddaughter Shanelle.  His granddaughter was given a school assignment to write a letter to a wise person in her life.  She thought instantly of her grandfather. Shanell states that “When ever I ever have any questions about a scripture or if I need help finding something in the Bibe, I can always count on you to help me”.

Letters from Teen Grandchildren

She  further wrote in her letter to  “Granddaddy”  how his prayers had given her wisdom. She explained:

Dear Grandaddy,

You always tell me of how proud you are of me for praying , and singing at church. But did you ever think of my close relationship with God may be because of your prayers? Yes, I always feel God’s presence when I hear you pray. I like how you try to teach people more about God when you welcome the visitors at your church too. This makes me want to do more for God.  The Bible says in Proverbs 22:17, “Pay attention and listen to the saying of the wise: apply your heart to what we teach.” Also in Proverb 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight”. So I thank God for the things He has shown me through you. I also thank God  for  the work He has done through me. I pray that God will continue to use us because  like Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed”.

So I just want to say thank you Granddaddy for your commitment to prayer. I also want to thank you for showing me different ways to show my love to God too. I love you.

Sincerely, Shanelle

 

Deacon’s  Shurman‘s   grandson Shurman, his namesake,  wrote to his Grandfather:

Hey Grandaddy,

I am writing this letter because I want to thank you for being a really wise and strong man in my life. You are  like the rock of our family and whenever you bring us together you always make sure we take time to pray and honor  God.

…  You have trained me to always pray. I watch how you pray before we eat and before we get on the road and anytime something good or bad happens you always pray. So I know how important it is to pray.  I also see that you pray  to Him a lot because you trust Him and even though things may not always go my way I am learning to trust God.

… Granddaddy I am so proud to carry your name and I know that if I continue to pray and  trust God that I will one day become a strong and wise man like you.

Shurman McGinnis

What a legacy Grandfather McGinnis  is creating  for his  grandchildren! It is important  to teach our grandchildren and children how to communicate and grow in relationship with God as they seek Him and His will.

Linda Fegins, “The Prayer Leader”, June 2018

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Celebrate Fathers! Share Your Story.

 

 

Let’s celebrate Father’s. Father’s Day does not get the same overwhelming celebration as Mother’s Day. Fathers have an important role in the family and in the lives of their children. There are many quiet good black fathers and we need to celebrate them.

Let’s celebrate the men in our lives. Celebrate the fathers, brothers, uncles, friends, and sons in your lives.  Recognize what the mighty good Father and men in your life mean to you. Take this month, to acknowledge the important role that the fathers, both natural and spiritual, play in the lives of their children; as role models, care givers, providers, protectors, and supporters. Acknowledge how men serve you and the women in their lives as good husbands, providers, protectors, supporters, friends, supporters of equality for women in the work place, and who take out the garbage.  Thank God for the father, uncle, brother, who will be there if your car  stopped or if your heart has been  broken  and the myriad of other roles that men play in the lives of women and children.

This month as we celebrate Father’s Day let’s honor and pray for fathers, who may not be perfect, but who love their children, train their children, protect their children and have good relationships with their children. The week prior to Father’s Day I challenge you to share positive comments and reflections about your father, father figures, grandfathers, mentors and committed men. Please share your story and comments.

The admiration Kim Bracey has for her father shines through every time she speaks of him. Kim Bracey will tell you she thought her father was “God” for the longest because he provided for her and was there every time she needed him. When I asked for persons to share stories or to make a comment about their father , Kim proudly stated:

James L. Bracey absolutely one of the best. When God picked out the father for me He just out did Himself. For a long time I thought he was God because he provided for our family with a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs and loved us unconditionally. Above all he loved God and God loves him back. All that he has been granted in heaven he so deserved. I miss him like crazy but I thank God for letting me have him as long as I did.

Rene Wallace shared that her over 70 year old father, who has now passed, still talked as if this middle aged daughter was his responsibility. Jeanette Johnson’s father has been dead for over 12 years but she talks about her father frequently with love and respect. Her honor and respect for his wisdom radiates from her heart for this man who only had a third grade education. He was full of wisdom, strength, and integrity and provided for his children and adored his wife. Her father owned land and property and feed neighbors who were poor. When she speaks of him you can hear and feel the respect and honor she has for him. It was touching to hear their comments.

Please share your positive experience with your father and what your relationship means to you.

Please share your positive experience with your father and what your relationship means to you.

Three things you can also do to show your appreciation.

  1. Brag on the good father and/or man or men in your life all month long not just on Father’s Day. Say “Thank You”. Let him know you appreciate him. Men need encouragement. “We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” “A word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15:23b.
  2. Encourage him to get a Check up. Men’s health issues significantly impact everyone around them and far too many men do not ever see a doctor unless there is something seriously wrong or a partner or spouse makes the appointment for them.
    A good time to do just that is June, which is Men’s Health Month. Men’s Health Month is intended to increase awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
  3. Pray for the good father and men in your life. Here are some specific prayer points for men in general and for fathers.

 

Prayer focuses for fathers in general:

-Salvation
–For fathers identity to be centered in Christ-like servant leadership.-For vision in their lives that would serve family and serve and advance God’s purpose.
-To be the honorable priest and leaders of their homes.
-We call fathers back to their children to love, nurture and teach them.
-That fathers will look to God as the ultimate spiritual head of their homes.
-That absentee fathers would change their lifestyle to nurture their children and wives.
That children will see the character of the heavenly Father in the lives of their dads.
-Fatherless children- that loving and nurturing father figures and mentors will arise in their live.

-Pray for Christian fathers to embrace their God given role as loving guides of their children and to not exasperate them, instead bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)
-Men’s Health- June is Men’s National Health month pray that fathers and men will obtain. prostate cancer and other physical examinations.
-Boys who need father figures ; may they find mentors and father figures.

Linda Fegins, “The Prayer Leader”, 2018, 2016 ldfaygo@gmail.com

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Launching Family Prayer

 

“Lord, restore the family altar in homes across America”, is the cry of one intercessor. Let’s Launch Family Prayer today. God loves your family and you. He established family and has a plan for each family member. We need to pray for our and with our families. One of the best things you and I can do for our families is to begin to teach our children and adults to pray in a way that grows hunger for God by seeking Him in prayer together.

In today’s world of busy schedules and Face book, cell phones and other digital distractions, “It’s hard for families to find time to eat dinner together, let alone pray together. Yet praying together deepens relationships, alleviates arguing and fighting, and strengthens family ties more than any single thing we can do”, states Cheryl Sacks, a national speaker and intercessor.

Launching Family Prayer

In the month of June let’s begin to launch a month-long campaign to help each family member jumpstart a lifetime of praying together and for one another.  I will be giving pointers on praying for men, fathers, parents and teaching children how to engage in family prayer, as well as specific prayer pointers and others for praying for the family. I will share a great example of a grandfather’s impact upon his grandchildren developing a prayer life this month after Father’s Day.

Minister Minetta Hare visionary and founder of the Global Missions Prayer Force has launched in the month of June “The Family Prayer Challenge”. Go to Face book and like the page and get notice of the daily prayer points as well. She is encouraging you to get a Prayer Journal to write the names of your family  members and providing a page for the directions you hear from the Lord about praying for each of the your family members.

Family Prayer Points: (Others will be provided this month for specific persons)

Relationship with God

Salvation. Lord you love my family members and you gave your only Son for them. You are not willing that any should be lost. May _________ accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and become a new creation in YOU. (John 3:16; 2 Corn 5:17)

Faith. Lord in the name of Jesus may my family grow a saving, faith in Jesus. May we turn our hearts toward You so that we live in Jesus, rooted in the truth of His Word and demonstrate mountain moving faith. (Mk. 11:23-24; Rom 10:17).

Furthermore pray:

In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:3 (KJV)

  • Pray for unity and love in family units that reach out in hospitality toward others. Romans 12:9-13.
  • Pray for God centered relationships among family members.
  • Pray that parents will be bold to instruct their children in God’s way of living and lead their families to pray together.
  • Pray for relationships between parents and children that it be one of love, respect, honor and obedience.
  • Pray for a return to the biblical mandate to train children at home.
  • Pray that families will follow godly principles.
  • Pray for our youth –their safety, protection, obedience, purpose and excellence.
  • Pray for families dismantled by divorce to be healed.
  • Pray that Christ forgiveness would dissolve anger, bitterness and strife in relationships among family member.

Linda Fegins, “The Prayer Leader” of Pray, Act& Write.  June 2018

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