Ephesians Praying For The Saints: Pray For Fathers:
Ephesians 3: 13: Wherefore we desire that we faint not at tribulations for the saints, which is our glory. 14: For this cause we bow our knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16: That he would grant us, according to the riches of his glory (expressed divine image, will, and presence), to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17: That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, 18: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19: And to know the love of Christ, which passed knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Paul was a praying man. In many of his letters, he would shift into prayer from teaching. "Pray without ceasing," he wrote. Here is insight into prayer for fathers and what they father out of the heart of the Father.
The Deepest Heart
Fathering is at the deepest heart of God. Jesus started His teaching on prayer, "Our Father." Jesus said, "..., if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." John the Baptist was to be one in the Spirit of Elijah to turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. This was the opening of the new covenant. 400 years earlier, Malachi closed the old covenant. His last words told us the spirit of Elijah must come to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers for cursing to leave the land.
Fathered Groups
This word, translated fathers or families in the letter to the Ephesians, literally means "fathered groups." Our prayer is for the fathers, the ones who bring life to and protect over and build.
What We Need
In this prayer, there are four keys to effective prayer for those that father.
Power to Endure
In the life of every father, there will come times when our strength begins to wane. We want to give up. We want to give in. We want to run and hide. A father must stand tall and strong in days of adversity and success. Both need strength to endure.
Compassion to Motivate
No father works for himself. Every father gives for those being fathered. In recent interviews with men for Father of the Year, each responded the same way to the same question. Each was asked about sacrifices they had made for their families. Each responded there was no sacrifice. Everything they did was simply a part of living as a father. It is just what you do.
Presence of God to Energize
In the mornings, it is time to get up. There are times we do not feel like getting up to battle another day. A father must rise with energy every morning to the war. His energy comes from the anointing of the Holy Spirit for the task ahead. He needs refreshing for energy. He needs the energy bar of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Faith to Appropriate
Getting the job done, means getting results for those fathered. A man recounted how he was working six 12 hour days for his family and another. The father of the other family was in jail. The kids needed a dad. He was willing to take all he had and appropriate extra work to bless them. We need to pray for fathers to take out of the treasures of heaven and apply to those fathered.
Taking Inventory on Prayer for Fathers
What has God called you to father?
Are you being faithful every day to encourage growth and blessing?
Who has fathered into your life?
Taking Action on Prayer for Fathers
Make a list of fathers around you. List those that have influenced some area of your life. Get ready to pray for them specifically. Out of the four needs above, what does each of them need most right now?
Phil Larson
405-388-8037
508 Tumbleweed Dr.
Yukon, Ok 73099
to unsubscribe reply with unsubscribe in the subject line.
No comments:
Post a Comment