Greetings Prayer Warriors,
The research results are surprising and somewhat alarming. Yet, I wonder how often these conversations
occur when a couple discusses marriage and family.
If children are part of the equation, do couples discuss
whether or not they will raise them up in a faith tradition, especially since
many couples now shun church weddings and instead opt for destination/event
weddings?
If they do baptize their child(ren), do they remember what
they vowed
as parents?
Should they actually marry, have children, and baptize them,
do they discuss who will teach their children about God and whether they will
regularly attend church?
Satan, the king of discouragement, sees fertile ground and
loves to lull couples into complacency. Without
a thought to it’s far-reaching impact, faith is deserted or it becomes “personal,”
just between them and God.
Perhaps you are feeling good, because while you are not the
religious one in the family, your faith-filled wife is teaching your children
how to live for God, and taking them to church on Sundays, because after all,
that is your day to golf, watch sports, etc.
Think again. Ready
for your wake up call?
A spiritual battle ensues, without you even being aware of Satan’s
stealth plan for your souls.
…the evil one comes and steals away what was sown in his heart.
Matthew 13:19
A large study* showed that if the wife practices her faith
and her husband does not, there is only a 2% chance their children will grow up
to be regular worshippers. 2%!! On the other hand, if the father is the
churchgoer and spiritual head of the family, the odds increase to 75% that
their children will regularly practice their faith as adults.
“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the
wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land …” Ezekiel 22:30
This week let us encourage fathers not only to marry, but to
also practice their faith. Showing one’s children how to live for God,
is the most powerful conversation of all.
Lord, open the eyes of
husbands and fathers to the true value you have endowed them with. Renew, empower and strengthen them. Hear our prayers as we pray that their
marriages be blessed and each father’s vocal and silent witness of your love
brings the Word to their children’s hearts. Amen!
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Live in imitation of Christ, and your children will be
drawn to the Christ in you! Pass it on!
*study
was done by the Swiss government in 1994; published in 2000.
