THE BLESSEDNESS OF FATHERHOOD: MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR BEING FATHERLY IN THE GRACE!
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God . . .” Ephesians 3:14-21/NKJV.
Whatever your spectrum or station in life, you can take a stand, posture, and position in fatherhood to live fatherly for the good of others – whether biological, adopted, fostered, or as a guardian. Know that God sees you, knows you, and calls you by name. He knows your labour in the fatherly process in Christ Jesus. Knowing that God has your back should encourage you to serve joyfully in the parenting cause, assured that your labour shall be rewarded in His grace.
So, keep pressing on to remain a good-hearted father in life and godliness. Do not let your hands be weakened in your fatherly efforts, even when you are not fully approved or appreciated. You labour for a cause under God in Christ Jesus’ stead [Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:10-12; John 18:37; 1 John 3:8]. Be steadfast in the faith, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded” 2 Chronicles 15:7/NKJV.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” 1 Corinthians 15:58/NKJV.
Remember: what you leave in your naturing supersedes what you leave for your naturing. It is only what you leave in them that will sustain what you leave for them when you are gone. Isaac almost gave up despite all Abraham left for him (Genesis 25:5-11), because nothing was yet in him until God Himself intervened (Genesis 26:1–5, 12–14). What you leave in people counts and accounts for their today and tomorrow. God has left His enabling in us, in Christ Jesus, to help us make up the difference in all aspects of life.
“That the sharing [communication, fellowship] of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is IN you IN Christ Jesus” Philemon 1:6/NKJJV/Emphasis mine.
“A good [upright, righteous] man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous” Proverbs 13:22/NKJV/Emphasis mine.
Three essentials you must ensure are left in them:
- VALUES – They can only treasure what they truly value in life and grace (Matthew 6:19-21 [Ephesians 1:3, 20; Ephesians 2:6]).
- ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY – Build with posterity [next generation] in mind, avoid decisions that derail the legacy for future generations [Genesis 18:19; Proverbs 13:22; Ecclesiastes 3:11/Amplified]. This saves them from the bondage of the self-trinity: “I, ME, and MYSELF”, for gain is not godliness [Luke 15:11-32; 1 Timothy 6:3-10].
- ACCOUNTABILITY – This instils responsibility so that values and legacy do not stop with them but abound for the good of all (John 15:9-17).
I pray for you, as Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:14-15), that as you are named after God in Christ Jesus, you uphold these three essentials: values, architectural legacy, and accountability. May they shape your fatherhood in life and grace, ensuring the assured promises of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
“But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust [unrighteous, ungrateful, unfaithful] to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” Hebrews 6:9-12/NKJV/Emphasis Mine.
SUMMARY:
This message is a prayerful charge to all fathers and father-figures. The message declares that the blessedness of fatherhood is found in living fatherly in God’s grace, leaving spiritual values and legacy in people, not just material things.
It is anchored on Ephesians 3:14-21 — praying for strength in the inner man, Christ dwelling in the heart, and being rooted in the love of Christ. Fatherhood applies to biological, adopted, fostered children, or as a guardian.
KEY POINTS:
- FATHERHOOD IS A CALLING FROM THE FATHER OF ALL
Ephesians 3:14-15— The whole family in heaven and earth is named from the Father.
God sees you, knows you by name, and calls you to take a stand in fatherhood. He does not forget your labour of love Hebrews 6:10. - STRENGTH AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FATHERS
Ephesians 3:16-19 — Pray for strength through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your heart and you be rooted in love.
2 Chronicles 15:7 + 1 Corinthians 15:58 — Be strong, do not let your hands be weak. Your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Even when you are not approved or appreciated, God has your back and will reward you. - WHAT YOU LEAVE IN THEM MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU LEAVE FOR THEM
Proverbs 13:22 — A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.
Genesis 25-26 — Isaac almost gave up despite what Abraham left, until God intervened.
Philemon 1:6 — Effectiveness comes by acknowledging every good thing that is IN you IN Christ Jesus.
Material inheritance without spiritual substance cannot sustain the next generation. - THE 3 ESSENTIALS TO LEAVE IN THEM:
1.VALUES — Matthew 6:19-21 What they treasure. Teach them to value God, grace, and eternal things above earthly wealth.
2. ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY — Genesis 18:19, Ecclesiastes 3:11 Build with posterity in mind. Avoid decisions that derail future generations. Don’t live for “I, ME, MYSELF”.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY — John 15:9-17 Instil responsibility, so values and legacy continue and abound for the good of all. - THE GOAL: FILLED WITH THE FULNESS OF GOD
Ephesians 3:19 — That you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
Hebrews 6:11-12 — Show diligence to the full assurance of hope. Don’t be sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
CALL TO ACTION:
TO ALL FATHERS AND GUARDIANS:
- Stay Rooted in Grace — Let Christ dwell in you. Be strengthened in the inner man by the Spirit so you can father from love.
- Leave the Right Inheritance — Prioritise leaving VALUES, ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY, and ACCOUNTABILITY in your children over just wealth.
- Do Not Grow Weary — Be steadfast and immovable. Your fatherly labour is seen by God and shall be rewarded.
- Father for Posterity — Make decisions today that bless the next generation and keep them from the bondage of selfishness.
Amen. May God’s grace establish you to be fatherly in life and godliness, for the blessedness that accompanies salvation.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI