In Touch - June 6, 2006

In Touch Daily Devotional 
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Tuesday June 6, 2006

A Father Who Prays

Philippians 1:9-11

Every child needs a father who calls his or her name before the Lord. By attending their events, getting involved in their interests, and expressing affection, we show our sons and daughters that we care. However, nothing demonstrates our love as powerfully as prayer does.

Praying for and with our children is part of a father’s responsibility. No one else will talk to the Lord about them with the same fervor that parents can. That is why it’s important to take the time to focus on specific needs. A hasty request like, “Please bless my children and keep them safe,” will be honored by God but will not satisfy our kids’ need for intercession. If a father prays with his daughter that the Lord would bring to mind the material she has studied, then she can walk into a final examination, confident of God’s provision and her dad’s love.

Adults often dismiss kids’ problems — like tests, sibling squabbles, and bouts of puppy love — as petty, compared to “real world” trials. Situations that seem huge to youth, causing them tears and fears, can look like anthills to us. But one day, they too will have big, adult problems with which to contend, possibly even bigger than our own. The best salve for their hurting hearts will still be a father who bows his head on their behalf. And, more importantly, we will have taught them to be praying men and women themselves.

As Father’s Day gets close, commit to giving your children a great gift: Ask your sons and daughters how you can pray for them.

Celebrate Fathers this month. Discover what our heavenly Father expects of dads and how He equips them to raise godly sons and daughters in Dr. Stanley’s series “How-To’s for Fathers.”

Breaking News: How to Handle Your Emotions is the latest elective now online at the Charles Stanley Institute of Christian Living! This expansive course focuses on Dr. Stanley's powerful 12-sermon series by the same name. In this course, students not only learn the basics of a healthy, biblical, and positive love for themselves, but they will also target some of the most potentially explosive emotions, including self-image, anxiety, loneliness, guilt, anger, depression, and rejection. Included in this for-pay elective course is a hand-signed copy of Dr. Stanley's book, Finding Peace, which brings further emphasis to the areas of regret, anxiety, and fear.