Becoming a Praying FatherНамуна

Praying Fathers Bless

“Dad, do you love me?”
“Yes, I do,” you answer.
“How much do you love me?” he presses.
“More than anything in this world.”
“How much is that?” You take a deep breath, “I would do anything for you. If you were in trouble – I’d help. If your life was in danger, I’d do anything I could to save you.”
“Would you jump in front of a speeding truck to save my life?”
“You bet I would! I love you that much!”
After thinking, the child responds, “I love you too, Dad.”

As awkward as this conversation is, it reveals one important truth: every child wants to know they are loved. They want to know they matter more than anything in this world. And, yes, they want to know if they are loved enough by you, their dad, to risk your life for them. Psalm 127:3 reminds us that we are to value, treasure, and love our children.

Psalm 127:4 shows us that not only do our children need to be loved, they need to be aimed. Solomon writes that our children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. Arrows are only valuable if they are aimed in the right direction. Aiming is the job of the warrior. It’s not the arrow’s job. So, warrior (dad!), how are you doing at aiming your son in the right direction?

Solomon goes on to say in verse 5 that there is a way that we can know if we are aiming our children in the right direction. He describes a scene where children are old enough to contend with an enemy and are not put to shame. One of the hardest aspects of being a parent is not knowing if what we are doing right now is the right thing. Often we won’t know for sure until our children are old enough to make decisions on their own.

PRAY that each of your children knows how valuable they are to God, to you, and to their whole family.

PRAY you will be able to aim them in the right direction – toward a relationship with their Heavenly Father.

PRAY your sons will mature into young men who can defend their faith, and that your daughters become godly women who honor the Lord.