Day 6: Family Relationships

And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. 
(2 Corinthians 6:18)

A person’s view of God is strongly influenced by his family of origin. Parents who provide both love and discipline help their children feel secure in God’s mercy and justice. On the other hand, condemning parents can provoke perceptions of a condemning God, an absent or distant father can make God feel distant, and permissive parents can underplay God’s holiness. These misconceptions can be carried well into adulthood, especially if they go unrecognized. Likewise, we can pass along a false view of God to our children, or we can seize the opportunity to model God’s character by His grace.

Today's Prayer Guide:

* Pray that the men in our lives will have a right view of God, their heavenly Father. Pray that God’s love will heal any past hurts and broken family relationships and will establish a new pattern for family interactions.

* Pray that fathers in our church will not exasperate their children but will bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord, modeling the loving discipline God provides His people.

* Pray that men of all ages will treat their fathers and mothers with honor and respect.

* Pray that interactions with extended family will draw each person involved one step closer to Christ. Pray that the men of our church will be salt and light to family members who are not walking with God and will be an encouragement to all their family.