THE ABSENTEE FATHER

Main Scriptures: Deut.6:1-10

More Scriptures: Eph.6:4, Jer.35:6, Ps.127:4

Sometime ago, I was invited to a programme on developing sound godly character in boys. And I was given a book by the organizers of the event and when I went through it, I came across statements that brought to light the struggle of children whose fathers have abandoned and the negative consequences. During a prison visitation by a minister of the gospel, he met with a young offender, a boy, in prison. He asked him, “why are you here?” The offender replied “I am here because I do not have men we look up to”. They have fathers who have abandoned the home or have decided to ignore the responsibility of nurturing their children in the way and admonition of the Lord (Eph.6:4).

There are three areas where you can be absent in the lives of your children as their father. You can be absent emotionally, spiritually and physically. There are fathers who are physically at home and their children can see them but they are not connected to their children emotionally and spiritually. It is this disconnect that has created a huge gap between fathers and their children leading to the increasing rate of delinquent, disrespectful and rebellious children in homes, churches, and the social environment. As a father, you must understand that your children are your seeds. You brought them forth. They carry your genes. The Bible describes your children this way. Children are like arrows in your hands (Ps.127:4). You determine the direction you want to shoot the arrows (children). You have a greater influence over your children than anyone else and whatever your children turn out to be in the future is either to your credit or shame.

I want you to consider the word of the Lord from Deuteronomy chapter 6 from verses one (1) to ten (10). It provides you with the road map to overcome the spirit of an absentee father. Now these are the commandments, the statutes and the judgement which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto they children and shalt talk of them when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up (Deut.6:1, 7).  It is irresponsible to bring your children to this world and abandon them to the dictates of satan, sin and the world. You are not a wise father but a foolish one. Your children are satan’s greatest target. He is more interested in your children than anything else because your children are the bridge into your future. You must take the responsibility to be accessible and available to your children because your voice is more important to their godly development than the voice of the world. You must continue to be the godly role model to your children because that is what makes you the good and godly father.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me with wisdom to function as the godly father to my children.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, make me accessible and available to my children.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, make me the godly model of a father to my children.

FAITH CONFESSION   

I make make myself available and accessible to my children to guide, lead, guard and influence them unto godliness because that is my principal responsibility of a godly father in Jesus Name. Amen.

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