A Prayer For Our Fathers

Our Father – I want to thank you for each of these men standing up here this morning. The simple fact that they are in a church early on a Sunday morning says something about them. There are many other things they could be doing right now, so I thank you that they have their priorities right. Thank you for their willingness to place themselves under the teaching of your Word. Thank you for the example that they are setting for their family. And Father, my prayer for these men is fourfold: First of all, I ask that you would enable them to fulfill the role they play in their family. It isn’t an easy job to be the provider, and the protector, and the priest of the family. On top of that, there are some things you call them to do that don’t come naturally to them. So Lord, would you enable them to be the kind of fathers you would want them to be? Secondly, I ask that you would encourage them in their calling. Being a father goes way beyond a biological function, and these men need that mindset and your encouragement as they minister to their wives and children. Being a good father is a high and noble calling, and at times it can be tedious, so please encourage them and strengthen their resolve. Thirdly, I ask that you would enlighten them as they juggle the many responsibilities they carry. Help them as they prioritize their busy lives. Help them to be able to see what activities have eternal value and what activities have only temporal value. Give them your vision for their family. And finally, Father, I ask that you would invigorate them as they protect their family. Help them to understand that the most dangerous threats to their family are not the physical ones, but the philosophical and spiritual ones. I ask that they would be vigilant as they do battle with the forces of evil that are so prevalent in our world. So Father, I commend these men to you for your favor, protection, strength and grace. May they lead their families in such a way as to be able to stand before you some day and hear those wonderful words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen.