Along with reading Scripture and learning to live under the authority of the word of God, prayer provides the undergirding for loving, leading and protecting marriage and family. In fact, prayer opens the heart and mind for increased sensitivity to how the Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture to help you lead a life obedient to His word.
Prayer is foundational for tuning-in to the Lord as you navigate through distractions that face all in this world. Years ago, Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas said, “The devil is allergic to prayer. When folks pray, it makes the devil sneeze!” His suggestion was to keep the devil sneezing so much that he is not able to continue with his schemes.
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus the Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; – Romans 15:30-31. Paul is seeking prayer coverage to prevent the fiery darts and flaming arrows of the evil one from inhibiting his effectiveness in ministry. Similarly, dads need to provide prayer coverage over marriage and family to protect the home from the get-go. The devil is alive and active in this world to stir up disobedience toward wedding vows and the responsibility to raise a godly generation (Malachi 2:15). Prayer will help you tune-in to the Lord and be alert to the devil’s schemes that distract - the 24/7 news cycle, endless streams of Internet information, sports, hobbies and entertainment. Prayerfully be on guard for anything that inhibits your effectiveness as husband & wife, dad & mom and rebuke it immediately. The Kendrick Brothers have led the charge to produce high quality Christian film entertainment to push back against movies becoming more vulgar. Their production of WAR ROOM in 2015 is a fabulous example. It is a beautiful depiction of a woman so devoted to prayer that she set up a room in the house specifically for the purpose of being alone with God in prayer. She made the devil sneeze a lot! And so will you as you implement the discipline to pray.
Tips to be a Praying Dad:
- Read these passages together as a couple and in family – 1Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:6, 9-15; Ephesians 6:18-20; James 5:16; 1Peter 5:7-11;
- Develop a personal prayer life for coverage over yourself, marriage and family;
- Initiate a habit of praying together as a couple at the end of every day;
- Write out a prayer for each child (ex. – p.56 of Heroes study booklet), and pray it daily;
- Watch WAR ROOM as a family.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your Word and the call to pray. I confess that I have treated prayer as a check-list of needs and even doubted You when I did not get what I prayed for. Forgive me. I want to be a prayer warrior standing against the devil’s schemes, to keep a hedge of protection around my marriage and family, and to build a personal, passionate relationship with You. Help me to pray always, without ceasing, on all occasions so I make the devil sneeze a lot. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father sets the example to pray in the home.
