Weekly Watch Focus: Honor our Fathers

FRIDAY, June 19th, 2020—This Sunday, we set aside a day to honor fathers and fatherhood. The Bible tells us, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).

All fatherhood proceeds from our one true Heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came to redeem us from sin and reveal our Heavenly Father (Matthew 11:27). The Apostles’ Creed begins with, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty.” It is by the Holy Spirit poured out at Pentecost that we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

The Bible instructs us to honor our fathers and mothers, the first commandment with a blessing. Those who obey this command open their lives for God’s choicest blessings. As we observe Father’s Day this week, may we first honor and worship our Father God. Let us also honor our natural and spiritual fathers and mothers. Society suffers without fathers, and children are the main casualties. Where there is a vacuum in fatherhood, another spirit will come in. Pray for the restoration of fathers and the Spirit of true fatherhood under our Father God. Pray for fathers to arise who will turn the hearts of the next generation back to the Lord and His ways. For those who are fatherless, pray for Father God to fill the empty place for children in broken homes and communities. Above all, let us give thanks for Father God’s gracious gift of His Son for the salvation of all.

Part 2: National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement 

Friday is the National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement. Bind back the spiritual forces sowing hatred and division and lawlessness in our nation. At this time of heightened tension and pressure on our police and law enforcement agencies across our nation, pray a shield of supernatural, angelic protection, wisdom, and guidance for our men and women in uniform. Pray that our nation will heal and the men and women who serve with honor will not be discouraged or lose heart as voices across the nation call for their destruction. Without proper law and order, our societies devolve into anarchy, chaos, and violence. Pray for restoration of honor for those who serve. Pray for their families and remember the families of those police officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. Pray for healing of the breakdown of relationships between our police forces and the communities they serve. Put a hedge of protection around our nation at this season and extra covering for our police and all law enforcement.

 
Psalm 27:1-5, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me  to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes,  it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me,  my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet] I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord,  that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord    all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.”

Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 4:6, ”There is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Malachi 4:5,6, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord,. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Psalm 68:5, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’”

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”