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Intention

God is a wise Father, and we would do well to follow His instruction

Scripture

“Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine (teaching):

Do not forsake my law.

When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

He also taught me and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.

Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

Do not forsake her (wisdom), and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:1-7

Reflection

Some truth about the foundation of Australia from Convict times to our current time is the lack of true fatherhood. Many children have grown up without a father in their life and have discovered rebellious behaviour because of lack of wisdom (even though they were precious in their mothers’ eyes).

Our prayer and devotion is the restoration of families in Australia where the heart of the father will be turned to the children and the children to the father.

My wife, Di, and I recently did four years of emergency foster care. During that period, we cared for approximately 170 children from the age of 0-12 years old (a crucial development age).

Most of these came from a single-parent home or a home in which Dad was seen on only a few occasions.

In the short time that these children were in our care, we observed that the affection and instructions they appreciated from having both parents spoke into their life, and the joy of unconditional rewards they received from responding to what we believe was Godly wisdom.

Although the Bible says that God will be a father to the fatherless, our nation needs prayer for Godly wisdom in our families, to overcome obstacles leading to divorce, financial distress, divisions through family contention. We need to believe that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

Families are an institution designed by God, and He is concerned about all aspects of the family from the headship of the Father to the loving caregiving that is found in the mother. Children need both a mother and a father with wisdom being the principal foundation for parenthood.

The gap in Australian Families has grown wider. Many of our Indigenous Fathers are incarcerated in gaols across our nation. So many single-parent families are emerging every day. We need to pray against the curse of dysfunctional families and that the cycle will be broken in Jesus’ name.

Don’t be a ‘worrier’ for your family but be a ‘warrior’ go to war in the spirit on their behalf.

 

Prayer

Lord, Psalm 127:4 says, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.”

So, Lord, help us remember that we are clay and you are the potter.

Help be good fathers and mothers to our children and be spiritual mothers and fathers in the nation.

Amen.

31 Days Prayer Points

1. Pray for the restoration of FAMILY, FATHERHOOD and MOTHERHOOD in our nation. Malachi 4:6
2. Pray for healing for MARRIAGES, protection for CHILDREN and restoration of the sanctity of LIFE. Isaiah 58:12
3. Pray for Revival, Renewal and Reformation for Australia, that our nation might return to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We invite you to support this month-long Prayer & Fasting campaign to raise up prayer for Family and Nation. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us spread the word and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom and Life.

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