The consistent encouragement to pray for our kids has resulted in some of the most powerful feedback received from dads over our 20 years of ministry. Stories of relationships restored, wayward children returning, comfort in times of trial and safety in the face of danger have affirmed how important it is to pray always.
One great church that Faithful Fathering has been blessed to work with the past number of years, Memorial Church of Christ in Houston has taken their prayer initiative to a new level as dads and families prepare for returning to school in strange times. Enjoy their video and use the prayer guide below as you are led.
Prayer guide: God our Father, Thank You for being a great father to each and every one of us. Over the last months there have been challenges in our lives which we never expected. Our daily routine was changed dramatically as our children were home, our spouses were home, our jobs were at home, school was at home, and we had a shortage of toilet paper in our homes.
Summer came and activities were cancelled. We struggled to find ways to keep our children busy while we continued to work in the room next door. God, frustrations were high and patience ran short, voices were raised and feelings were hurt, so many more highs and lows, but at the end of the day, grace was extended and forgiveness was accepted.
God, thank You for Your continued love for us during these times. Now as our children, Your children, head back to school in person, head back to school in the room next door, head back to college or to college for the first time in another town or even another state, may Your grace and mercy continue to shine on them as well as on us. May we and they show and receive, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God, bless our children this school year and throughout their lives. May they turn to You in times of gladness, sadness, trials and pain. May we do the same. Guide us and guide them by your Spirit. May the love of Christ be shared by us all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7. The devil loves to stir up anxiety and fear. But as Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship has said, “The devil is allergic to prayer. It makes him sneeze.” Our job is to keep him sneezing so much that he can’t stir up anything! Pray always.
A faithful father prays for his wife and children by name every day.
