Restoring Fathers to Fatherhood

“A father to the fatherless …”  (Psalm 68:5)

            I had the pleasure of visiting my former church home this past Labor Day weekend. This was the church where I responded to an altar call 12 years ago and received Christ. The church will always have a special place in my heart.
            I got a chance to hug the pastor and his wife and say hello to a few others I hadn’t seen in years.

The praise and worship songs were awesome. My son and I, and my father felt God’s power and presence. We all clapped our hands during the worship songs and held hands and prayed as the Pastor and others on the pulpit prayed.

But the best part of all was the powerful message. The Senior Pastor preached on Restoring Fathers to Fatherhood. He stressed the importance of fathers in the home; how important it is for fathers to be married and serve as godly husbands, providing for their children, and being there for them spiritually, emotionally, educationally, socially.

Too many of our children grow up without fathers and the social, emotional, and spiritual repercussions are shocking. Young boys are more likely to lead lives of crime, be incarcerated, experiment with drugs, drop out of school and have behavioral problems compared with those who grow up with fathers in the home.

Young girls are more likely to become pregnant before marriage and pursue unhealthy dating relationships because they are starved of the love of a father. And what’s even more heartbreaking is that they are more likely to be sexually assaulted because of the boyfriends their mothers allow without discretion in their homes. The Pastor said these tragedies disproportionately impact the lives of African Americans and Hispanics.

According to the Word of God, the family unit should include a mother and father to raise children. It isn’t right for young men to have babies without first being husbands, because God calls all men to be husbands first and fathers second. Not the other way around.

In order for fathers to ensure the emotional, educational and spiritual well being of their children, the Pastor said they must do the following:

1. Provide for their children and family. (1 Timothy 5:8)

2. Pray for their children

3. Protect their children (Matthew 17:15)

4. Encourage their children (Matthew 3:17)

5. Discipline their children (Proverbs 22:15)

6. Portray a godly role model.

The Pastor encouraged everyone that even if you come from a fatherless home, there is still hope. After all, God watched over many of you your entire lives and enabled you to succeed despite the odds. He reminded us that God will never leave you nor forsake you and is there for you to heal you and carry you along the way (Psalm 27:9-10).

To those of us who grew up with their fathers in the home, the Pastor said to thank them for being in our lives. So after service, I thanked my dad. And I thanked my Heavenly Father for having the privilege of growing up with a loving, supportive father in the home.

Thanks daddy. I love you!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone who grew up without a father in the home; who didn’t experience a father’s love, security and encouragement. Shower them with your fatherly love and compassion, heal their broken hearts, and bless them in every aspect of their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen!