“Encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thess 5:11

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, Malachi 4:6

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. This month as we celebrate Father’s Day let’s honor reflect and encourage the father figures in our lives. 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. I challenge you to share positive comments and reflections about the father, father figures, grandfathers, uncles, mentors and committed men in your life. Please share your story and comments.

Whether we’re celebrating our dads, stepdads, brothers, sons or other father figures in our lives, these men need to hear what a difference their lives and love makes.1 Thessalonians 5:11 CSB reminds us to “encourage one another and build each other up,” and Father’s Day is a chance for us build up the men in our lives.. Lift those dads up; celebrate their unique calling; remind them how much they’re appreciated every single day. This Father’s Day we can pray for the special men in our lives spend time with them and remember those who are no longer here.

Reflection

Fathers can be protective strong and stern, yet heartfelt and gentle. Let’s share precious stories so that we can encourage them. A couple of years ago on Radio station 1200 AM in the city of Detroit, John Mason, of Mason in the Afternoon, was asking for positive reflections and comments about one’s father, grandfather or a father figure. One reflection, by a man who called into the radio station to comment, touched my heart. He stated that his father taught him many things by his actions. He said he learned how to be a father and the protector of his family from his father. “When I was about 7 years old I went “trick or treating” on Halloween with some friends”, said the caller. “ A bigger boy stole our bags. All I could remember was seeing a flash go by and jump the fence. Next thing I knew I had my Halloween bag back. It was my father who jumped that fence. He had been watching and covering me all the time”. That story brought tears to my eyes because the actions of the father symbolized the love the heavenly Father has for us in that he watches over us and protects us. For the now grown caller it taught him how to watch over his family. Another gentleman called in and stated he “learned how to respect women because of how he saw his father respect and treat his mother”.

Prayer

We should pray for others. Prayer is a simple gift we can pray for the men in your life anytime and anywhere. Pray for their strength and guidance , spiritual growth , protection and health. Thank God for that father , grandfather or uncle’s presence in your life. Pray for grace and encouragement in their brokenness and in their daily lives.

A Prayer:

Lord in the name of Jesus, we thank you for fathers who love, train, provide for and protect their children. We pray that fathers will look to God as their ultimate spiritual father of their household, serving and caring for their children and families; Lord may absentee fathers change their mindset and lifestyles to nurture a relationship with their children. We pray that the Lord will turn the hearts of the father toward their children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers. Malachi 4:6. Lord may our children see the godly character of the heavenly Father in the lives of their dads.We pray for single fathers who are raising their children without a spouse to share the love and responsibility for their upbringing. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

You can also pray for:

-Salvation

-Strength and Spiritual Growth
-Men would seek God and honor His faithfulness, wisdom and truth
-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
-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.

Remembering:

Honor the memory of fathers who have passed on.. Proverbs 10:7 CSB says: “The memory of the righteous is blessed.” Spend time reflecting on the legacy your father left-how did they honor or show the love of God? What did they teach you about life, and how can we pass that wisdom along to others.

Jeanette Johnson’s father has been dead for many 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, but was full of wisdom , strength, and integrity who provided for his children and adored his wife and 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.

Again I challenge you to share and leave your positive comment and reflections about your father, grandfather, stepdad or father figure. Share the color of the loving, positive, supportive relationship you had with the father figure in your life.

Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader copyright2019 LDFaygo@gmail.com

Tags: father figures, fathers, mentors, praying for Fathers, encourage, build up

Tags: ,