“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Billy Graham

Next Sunday, we will be celebrating Fathers’ Day, honouring all the fathers for the role they play in bringing up their children in such a way, that they learn independence, responsibility, the role of a man in a Christian family and mot of all, respect for all the women in their lives. Rick Johnson, in “The Power of Fathers” wrote, “As fathers, we have the power to impact generations of lives. Make sure your impact on the twenty-first century is a positive one.” Mary Fairchild wrote, “Most fathers don’t realize the extent of their influence and how their godly behaviour can make a lasting impression on their children.”

As men, we can look to the example of strong fathers in the Bible. Think of Abraham, the father of faith in God, prepared to sacrifice his own son; Job, who prayed for his children: Jacob, AKA Israel, left his children a blessing; Joseph, in obedience to God’s calling was an earthly Stepfather to Jesus, and taught him a trade. But most of all, we can look to God as our Heavenly Father: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

In your prayers this week, please remember fathers everywhere, as they handle the responsibility of bringing up their children, imparting their faith, principles, and respect for others, especially their wives and partners.

“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.” Anon

“Intercession is the truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer: no continent, no nation, no city, no organization, no office. No power on earth can keep intercession out.” Richard Halverson

The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament, in the cases of Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this, all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). “Who is it that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”. (Romans 8:34). read more…