Fathering: A 4-Day Prayer and Parenting Guide Exemplo

Deliberate and Honest Faith 

by Michael Griego

Be deliberate and honest with your Christian faith. For instance, given a chance to do it again, I’d share more of my daily struggles with work or decision options and processes with my kids and family. Perhaps at the dinner table, perhaps on a car drive, probably while making them breakfast or lunch. Like I might say:

“Dad got really frustrated with someone today at work. I actually said some things in anger that were not very nice or kind. Tonight I’m going to ask God to forgive me. Tomorrow I’m going to go to that person and ask them to forgive me.”

Now understand, that never happened, because I would never have admitted it to my kids! Nor would I have asked God for forgiveness, and never would I have asked the other person to forgive me. It is very nice that I already see my kids having these types of honest discussions with their kids.

A genuine and surrendered Christian faith would have suited me better. Yes, I went to church and took the family. But I did not fully take the mantle of spiritual leadership that I would now grasp wholeheartedly if I had another crack at it. Fortunately, we are the creation of a loving and patient Good Father who models for us infinite love, grace, and mercy that we can pass on ultimately to our children.

Here is guidance on a father’s daily prayer for his family:

Lord, I am so thankful for the family You have given me. Thank you for (name your wife and each child and grandchild). I surrender all that I have and all that we are to You this day. Bless my family today, for as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. May each of us experience all the love and favor that You, the Good Father, would shower upon Your children. May we all have eyes to see and hearts to take in what You would have for us today. Give us each the opportunity to fulfill what You desire of us now and throughout our lives. Prepare us in mind, body, soul, and spirit to be Your instruments for peace, love, and impact in a needy world. Direct us on a path today that You have prepared. Keep us from distractions that would have us straying to the right or the left, but on a focused path straight and true. Protect us all from physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm from enemies seen and unseen. May we be covered by Your hand so we may continue to grow and prosper as worthy servants of Your Kingdom. Give me strength and wisdom to lead this family in the ways of the Lord today and as long as You would have me in this role on this earth. Thank You, Jesus, for what You have done and what You are doing through my family today and for generations to come. I give You all the praise and honor. Amen.

Yes, God is the model as our Good Father. May His Word and Spirit guide us men, young and old, to be good and even great human fathers.

Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

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