“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
124 children arrested for auto thefts in November, Memphis Police say That’s the headline. These are 16 year olds. Worse yet, this number is only the amount that were arrested. We’re averaging 30 car thefts a day in Memphis according to that news story.
I wonder how many of these kids come from male-led homes. I wonder how many were along for the ride. I wonder how many participated because they were afraid of what would happen if they didn’t. I wonder how many are doing this crimes because they have no hope.
The kids are responsible for their actions, but we are responsible for raising our children. First priority is our home and second is in our community. We must do better so they do better.
Tonight, Lord, we lift up fathers, biological or implied, to You, our Heavenly Father. We pray that men who have given life to children are positive actors in their child’s life. We are a world of broken men, but Lord, You can put us back together.
We pray for the success of fatherhood initiatives, like Seedco’s Strong Fathers, Strong Families program and the work of Travis Wilson, that help support men in their roles as a father. We pray for the success of programs like Families Matter aimed at helping fathers in low wage jobs. Lord, we pray for men who are trying each day to wake up and be better than they were yesterday. They are on their knees seeking You. Lord, encourage and sustain them. If they don’t know you, may they have a divine appointment tomorrow
Lord, raise up Your people to care for our children. May we be protected from the fear and distrust that prevents healthy relationships from forming. Protect our vulnerable youth from the temptations of living in hopelessness. Lord, watch over our youth. Calm them. Comfort them. Protect them from the world’s lies and bad influences. We pray for those groups working every day to show Your love to our children, from Streets Ministries, to Bridges USA, the Boy Scouts of America, youth coaches and educators.
Open our hearts to Your call. May we have eyes to see the need and the courage to respond. In Christ’s name, amen.