Although "fatherlessness" may not be a real word according to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, you can't deny the effects of it in the world around us. In my mind, "fatherlessness" means the general loss of the father role in the lives of a family. This problems tends to result in lawlessness, a state of confusion and a general identity crisis, especially for youth.
Even in families where a father lives in the house, many times men are just as absent from the everyday lives of their children as those who have left the house. America seems to be full of absentee fathers who spend too much time at work and are burnt out by the time they get home. In many Christian homes, the wife/mother is the spiritual giant not the man. This is not God's design. Scripture clearly shows that He has designed the man to lead his family in knowing and serving God. This does not mean that the wife is in any way inferior. It just means that the wives are carrying a burden that they are not supposed to have to carry.
Quite simply, the guys are not being all they can be. Unfortunately, many churches are full of good guys and have few really dangerous men of faith. While this is a generalization, I have found it to be widely true in churches that I have been involved in over the years.
Fathers are important because they are supposed to provide stability, safety and a sense of identity to a family. Children get their last name from their father. Both boys and girls need positive affirmation and modeling from their father to know how to be healthy and well adjusted adults.
If true revival is to happen in a church and produce anything meaningful, it must involved the men, especially the fathers. Men must get over themselves and become worshippers. Men must be the first to pray not the last. They need to pray blessings over their family and model out what it means to be completely surrendered to God.
Oh Father, teach me how to be godly in my relationships. Prepare my heart to be a loving husband and a blessing to my family. My I be the kind of man who has something to say. May I receive Your love so that I can know how to love my future family.
Call the men of my church to a place where we can be who You designed us to be. May we know how to be good fathers because we intimately know You, the best Father. Pour Your love on us. May we be open to receive Your lavish love. Guide us in how to share Your love with our families, friends and the world. May we believe in Your power to make us sons of God. May we walk in newness of life and Your purposes. Be glorified in our families and fellowship. Amen!
Listen to a great sermon on the importance of receiving the Father's love and being a godly father to the next generation.
Do You Know What Is Even Missing?
