His Fatherhood

Time with them.

Haven't done enough.

Haven't done it well enough.

Missing Something.

Can't communicate to teens b/c they think we're old/irrelevant.

Failure.

Inadequacy.

Relax and able to enjoy them.

Less guilt ridden or angry when it was time to discipline them

More able to speak wisdom powerfully into their lives.

"Prayer can help them gain a clear perspective of what it means to be a good father, and open the door to the Holy Spirit guidance on how to handle the parenting challenges that arise."

Ex: 7 year old caught in lie. Deal with it and get a full confession with a repentant heart. Wasn't happening. Want to teach a lesson but didn't know how. Asked wife to pray. While praying, it became very clear to him: As son watched, hubby drew a triangle and a picture of satan, God and son, one at each point. Dad described God's plan for son, and satan's plan. Illustrated how lying was a part of satans plan and that son was going a long with it. Described in detail the ultimate consequences of going along with satan's plans - moving son farther  away from God - shook son up = full confession and repentant heart. Without God, Dad wouldn't have gotten the depth he needed.

"The best way for a man to be a good father is to get to know his heavenly Father and learn to imitate Him. The more time he spends in the Lord's presence, being transformed into His likeness, hte better influence he will be when he spends time with his children. He will have a father's heart because he understands THE Father's heart."

Reconciliation should happen with his earthly father and likewise, his relationship with his children, with effect their relationship with there's someday.

     Dear Jesus, even before we have kids, I pray that You teach Nathan to be a good father. I'm excited about watching Nate hold, run around, and play games with our kids one day but I know there's pressure with this too. I pray that You give him revelation of You and a hunger in his heart to really know You as his heavenly Father. Draw him closer to spend time in Your presence so he can be more like You, and fully understand Your Father's heart of compassion and love toward him. Grow that same heart in him for his children. Help him with balancing mercy, judgment, and instruction the way You do. Show him when and how to discipline. May he never provoke his "children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). I pray that will be united in the rules we set for our children and in full agreement on how they should be raised. Help him to want to be involved in their lives and may we all benefit from it. Amen.

Proverbs 17:6 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

 ⁶ Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

   and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 29:17 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

 ¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;

   he will bring delight to your soul.