American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 71
This last Sunday brother Frank Campana ministered our Father’s Day message at the American Reformation Church. It was an official day to honor our fathers as the Bible commands (Exodus 20:12). He reminded the congregation the penalty our nation accrues when fathers refuse to turn their hearts to their children and the curse that comes with it (Malachi 4:4-6).
He went on to encourage the men to become master builders who frame their lives based upon the firm foundation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word (Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 3:10, 11). He called upon the men our church to be men of integrity that fulfills their responsibilities and duties without complaint relying on the grace and strength of God. He quoted 1 Corinthians 16:13, 14, which states “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
He challenged the young man to submit to discipleship and learn from older men who raised families, built businesses, and remained faithful to their Lord, families, ministries, and communities. He reminded them these men were not perfect men, but faithful men. There was much more imparted, but that was the gist of it.
To open our service, I quoted Voddie Baucham to inspire the men to understand their high and lofty position in God’s Kingdom, “The role of men in their families is so important that God honored it by conferring upon us his own title, Father.”
It is to this Father we are to look to as He is the “Father of the fatherless” (Psalms 68:5a). Our wandering sons and daughters in our nation being devoured need to come back to this truth that can set them free, especially, when their earthy dads have failed them. It was Jesus who pointed us to this Father when it comes to establishing a flourishing prayer life that can avail much when rooted in God’s Word and led by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 6:9b, 10 declares, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This model prayer taught by Jesus not only emphasizes God's holiness and sovereignty, but the intimate love available to each believer. Jesus is revealing the true and living God who answers prayers is not just based upon the Creator/creature distinctive, but also based upon the loving intimacy available between a child and his father. If we, as fathers, are evil and desire good things for our children, how much more our Heavenly Father gives good things to them that ask (Matthew 7:11)?
This is foundational for the believer's godly desire to establish the Father’s will on “earth as it is in heaven.” It becomes paramount. Bottom line, it's a prayer for God's name as Father to be revered, His kingdom established, and His will to be done, both in the spiritual and earthly realms, in the lives of individuals, and amongst men and nations.
