The Foundation of Family

"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul;...

You shall teach them to your sons, 

talking of them when you sit in your house 

and when you walk along the road 

and when you lie down and when you rise up." 

Deuteronomy 11:18-19

In the beginning, God established families. He created them as male and female parents producing children. The foundation of any community is families. As a family adheres to the Word of God and shares the fresh breath of the Spirit of God, it will grow and prosper. Each member of the family individually will discover his or her place and learn, with joy, how to fulfill that place. God designed families so people would be able to grow and learn in an atmosphere of intimacy and love.

Without a firm family foundation, a person doesn't have the atmosphere of love saturated within him or her that is necessary to flourish. We need the acceptance and intimacy found in a family or we become insecure in our gifts and won't be able to offer our gifts properly to our community. Our provision will be lacking, and others will not be blessed by what we are meant to contribute to society.

The attack on families has been horrendous. There is a strong line of thought that's been thrown out into world that would have us think that a traditional family with a mother and father is not that important. However, by weakening the family unit, we weaken our communities and our country. Of course there are tragedies that sometimes cause a family to be missing either a mother or father, but that isn't supposed to be the norm. Being a parent--a mother or father--is an honorable position to be in. Raising a child through the discovery process of their life's purpose is an awesome, yet very fulfilling, task. We need to protect the family and do all we can to preserve and strengthen it. 

The attack on families may come from without, or within. Within many families strife, selfishness, self-centerdness and a feeling of lack or missing out is common. These are destructive attitudes that are sent from the enemy of mankind. The only way to combat these is through the Lord Jesus. Sinful attitudes dim the light of the gospel of Christ which we must have in order to see clearly. If our vision becomes clouded then we become confused. Once confusion sets in, the way is paved for deception.

Families must be strengthened by keeping their light shining bright. With clear vision, each family member can develop properly, see their dreams clearly and flourish in them, bringing joy and sharing in provision with the community. Children bring fresh life and growth to a family, and families bring life and growth to a community. 

God I pray for the families of Waterford. Strengthen them by bringing the enlightenment of Your Word and the Lord Jesus Christ. Let the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine brightly in the hearts of the families. May parents see the importance of their position over their children. Fill their hearts with love for their children. Let them see the value of their children and the uniqueness of their gifts. Help them to help their children grow and develop in what You have gifted them to do. Encourage and strengthen the parents of Waterford. Give the churches wisdom, along with a desire, to help the families be all that You've called them to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Genesis 1:27-28; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:2
Re-prayer June 17, 2011