Priestly Fathers
“And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.” Job 1:5
Before the law, fathers acted as priests in their homes. Job, for example, would rise early in the morning and would intercede with offerings and prayers on behalf of his sons and daughters. After Christ offered Himself for our sins, all who believed became priests and can all come before God to offer up sacrifices of praise and prayers to God.
Although the Old Testament priesthood came to an end in Christ and there's no longer any need for Levitical priests to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people of God, Christ has given all believers access to commune with God, surrender to His will and seek Him to meet our needs. (Hebrews 4:14-16) And on the other side of the cross, Christian fathers are not only priests with access to God, which is their greatest asset, they have a unique opportunity and responsibility to teach their children the fear (reverence) of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
A father can't have a relationship with God on behalf of their sons or daughters. Our sons and daughters must come to faith in Christ for themselves to be saved and cultivate their own relationship with God. But priestly fathers teach their children the way of salvation and model before them what it means to walk with God. Because their children live in a corrupt world ruled by Satan and have hearts that are prone to wander from God, fathers must pray continually for their children to not be led into temptation, but be delivered from evil. Fathers can pray with confidence because their Heavenly Father is not only all powerful, but also because He delights to answer the prayers of His children (Luke 11:13). And we should not only pray with confidence, as Job did for his children, we should also pray continually.
As Jon Bloom noted, “This ministry of intercession is a lifelong calling. We must not assume too much when it comes to human beings. If our children are living and doing well spiritually, they are not out of the woods. If they are living and not doing well spiritually, their story is not over. Therefore, let us “always . . . pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). God is faithful. He will never default on His word. Let us be faithful to His call on us, and let us be faithful to our children by continually petitioning God on their behalf. He will not allow such a labor, no matter what the result is that He determines in His wisdom, to be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).”
Priestly fathers pray confidently and continuously knowing that even if you can’t see it or feel it, God is working. O the Way Maker never stops working and His timing is always perfect!
Blessings,
Pastor Marco
Before the law, fathers acted as priests in their homes. Job, for example, would rise early in the morning and would intercede with offerings and prayers on behalf of his sons and daughters. After Christ offered Himself for our sins, all who believed became priests and can all come before God to offer up sacrifices of praise and prayers to God.
Although the Old Testament priesthood came to an end in Christ and there's no longer any need for Levitical priests to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people of God, Christ has given all believers access to commune with God, surrender to His will and seek Him to meet our needs. (Hebrews 4:14-16) And on the other side of the cross, Christian fathers are not only priests with access to God, which is their greatest asset, they have a unique opportunity and responsibility to teach their children the fear (reverence) of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
A father can't have a relationship with God on behalf of their sons or daughters. Our sons and daughters must come to faith in Christ for themselves to be saved and cultivate their own relationship with God. But priestly fathers teach their children the way of salvation and model before them what it means to walk with God. Because their children live in a corrupt world ruled by Satan and have hearts that are prone to wander from God, fathers must pray continually for their children to not be led into temptation, but be delivered from evil. Fathers can pray with confidence because their Heavenly Father is not only all powerful, but also because He delights to answer the prayers of His children (Luke 11:13). And we should not only pray with confidence, as Job did for his children, we should also pray continually.
As Jon Bloom noted, “This ministry of intercession is a lifelong calling. We must not assume too much when it comes to human beings. If our children are living and doing well spiritually, they are not out of the woods. If they are living and not doing well spiritually, their story is not over. Therefore, let us “always . . . pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). God is faithful. He will never default on His word. Let us be faithful to His call on us, and let us be faithful to our children by continually petitioning God on their behalf. He will not allow such a labor, no matter what the result is that He determines in His wisdom, to be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).”
Priestly fathers pray confidently and continuously knowing that even if you can’t see it or feel it, God is working. O the Way Maker never stops working and His timing is always perfect!
Blessings,
Pastor Marco