“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the weak” - Psalm 83:2, (NIV).
There is an increasing absence of fathers in many a home today. In the US, for instance, it has been estimated that today almost one out of four children are growing up in homes without a father. Similarly in many developing countries there are increasing number of such single parent led homes.
The effect of this can lead to a host of issues. The mother can be too stressed to meet the material and emotional needs of taking care of the children. As they lack the guidance of a father the children can grow up filled with anger for not having a father early in their lives. A good number can come out with dysfunctional issues for lack of guidance from a set pair of hands.
Unless out of calamities like premature death the presence of a father in a home used to be guaranteed. In most of our traditional societies there were provisions in place to make sure that no home was ever without a father, even with calamities. A father would provide a steady and comforting hand in raising up children.
Social and economic changes have resulted into many single homes now often led by mothers. Whereas there are those who see this as inevitable, we must never lose sight of the power a father can bring when in a home. And of course not just being there but playing a crucial hand in raising children, one of the most important and critical jobs there is in society.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth, for all the fathers out there that you strengthen and comfort them as they take on the most important job of raising children in your image.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
