Raising them Right…

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4

As believers our first ministry is to our family.  We are to consistently live and teach the gospel to our children.  These gifts are our responsibility and none of us should want to get caught with our work undone.   I was so very moved when I watched the video below.  It shares the testimony of a young man, named Brady, that came to Christ during a bout with brain cancer and how it built his faith as well as his parents’.

A Prayer for Fathers

by Joan Costner

Father in Heaven,
Today we pray for father’s. First, for old fathers. Some living alone, some in rest homes, some who have had children, but have outlived them, some, who are longing for some word of reconciliation – some indication of love.
Then, Lord, we pray for the brand new fathers, who have just looked into those innocent eyes of the newborn. Who dream of all they will do, all the protecting they will provide for the tiny soul that sleeps in their arms.
Father, then we would remember the wise fathers who have, with great determination, sought the way You told us to go, planting the seeds, building the faith “line upon line, precept upon precept” until they have seen the fruit, the harvest of their diligence, pay off.
And, Father, we would not forget the foolish fathers, who discovered late, that nothing is worth more than a child’s love and devotion. That selfish motives of wanting our own way cannot compare to being willing to lay our desires aside for the good of our family. Teach them, Father, in time.
And we want to pray for father who can overlook faults (remembering their own)
and forgive mistakes (for we made a few) without a big fuss.
Also for those who can’t forgive and overlook. Help them see the bridge they construct is the one they also must pass over.
Today we would remember the many, many fathers separated from their children by service for our country, by divorce, by illness, by pride. Oh, Father, these may need strength more than any. Help them we pray.
We pray for those struggling with fatherhood because they had no model. Help them find the way to be the good father that they never had.
Father, for those who have had the blessing of a good and righteous and self sacrificing father, who never rebelled but became comrades with their father, we ask additional blessings…for this is their day.
And we thank You, for the women who stand in the wings of their lives cheering them on when the going is rough.
But most of all, Father, we just thank and praise You, our Heavenly Father, for
ALWAYS being there, for never sleeping, for never being tired of our pettiness, for never being too busy with games or too involved with wars, to answer our prayers,
to touch and heal, to save our souls. You never go away…and if anyone lacks a father You will be that to them. You never move away…You never turn out the lights of home.
Thank You, Father, thank You, thank You…Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil….for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory….forever!!
Amen.

©© 2005 by Joan Clifton Costner
Under His Wings Heavenly Poetry
Joan is a Heavenly Inspirations Author.
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.