Fathering: A 4-Day Prayer and Parenting Guide Exemplo

The Abrahamic Blessing 

by Temi Michael-O

Fathers are not only important for procreation; they significantly influence their children, particularly male children. Studies show that the transmission of negative fathering patterns may occur through transgenerational transmission of trauma and learned behavior. There is a high tendency for male children to adopt their father’s parenting style. Also, studies show that positive paternal involvement leads to positive child outcomes, and it is determined by a combination of quality and quantity of paternal involvement. The notion that individuals have “father issues” is real. Whether biological or adopted, fathers are uniquely influential.

These remind me of what God said concerning Abraham in Genesis 18:19 (NIV):

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.

Abraham was not just physically present in the home; he provided a combination of quality and quantity paternal involvement by directing his children and household in the ways of the Lord. Abraham modeled the life of faith; he was a “do as I do” and “do as I say” father. 

The good news is that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes the positive fathering pattern of Abraham available to every Christian father. We can receive the blessing of positive paternal involvement by faith for fathers in our lives.

Today, let’s pray against the transmission of negative fathering patterns and trauma and claim the blessings of Abraham for fathers in our lives.

Fill in the blank spaces with a father’s name.

Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming my family from the curse of the law. Thank you for giving us victory by the blood of Jesus. Today, I enforce my family’s victory over generational curses. In the name of Jesus, I decree and declare that _______ will not transfer trauma to his children. I decree and declare that _______ will not transfer negative fathering to his son(s). Like Abraham, ______ will be present and involved in his children’s life. _______ will model positive fathering and faith to his children in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, ______ will begin to live an honorable life that will bring God and his children glory.

Please meditate on these scriptures and consider sharing them with fathers in your life:

 Galatians 3:6-9 & 13-14 (NIV)

So also, Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Isaiah 51:1-2 (NIV)

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.

Proverbs 17:6 (KJV)

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.