He did not know until years later that his mother had been praying for him every day since he had left home. Through a life caught up in the world, the peaks and valleys she was not even aware of, and through months of no contact, she simply prayed.

Some of the most powerful feedback I have received over the years of ministry has been around prayer. Dads often come up to me and say, “Do you remember when you challenged me to pray for my child by name every day? Well, my son has turned back to the Lord.” Or, “… my daughter is now in a healthy relationship.” I love hearing what I call, ‘glimpses of God’s glory’, prayers answered! Be praying and let God be God.

So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. … Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street. – Acts 12:5-10. Intercessory prayer by the church resulted in Peter’s miraculous escape from prison. “I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” – Philippians 1:19. The discipline of prayer practiced by the church in Philippi sustained Paul through his imprisonment. It undergirded him in his writings and preaching so much so that Christ became well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else (Phil.1:13). When the disciples witnessed Jesus praying to His Father often they asked Him to teach them how to pray. He said, “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed by Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” – Matthew 6:9-13. C.H. Spurgeon once said, “Prayer is the rope that rings the bell in the belfry of God.” Prayer is foundational to our faith, our relationship with Jesus the Christ, and our communion with the Father. Be praying.

Tips for Praying:

• Practice the discipline of time in prayer and Scripture daily;
• Pray together as husband and wife every day;
• Pray with your children at the end of the day;
• Pray for your bride and children by name daily;
• Watch the Kendrick Brothers’ film, WAR ROOM together as a family. 

Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and the prayers of the faithful. I confess that prayer had become a checklist for me, not a conversation with You. Forgive me. I want to be a prayer warrior for my family. Grant me discipline to pray for and with my bride and kids, and help me teach them to pray as You taught the disciples to pray. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father prays for and with his family, and teaches them to pray.