FREEDOM 21 DAY 5

DAY 5 – Restoring the broken Family

 

Today we will focus our prayer and repentance on restoring the broken family unit.

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You… A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation. They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this. –Psalm 22:27, 30-31

A GROWING CRISIS

The number of single parent households is rapidly increasing. The factors that are contributing to this crisis include:

- Welfare availability
- A growing normality of single motherhood
- Childbearing outside of marriage
- Higher divorce rates

DISTURBING RESULTS

The connection between social pathologies and family instability in the US and Mexico is so strong, that many researchers conclude the likelihood of a child’s participation in crime is most heavily determined by the extent of parental involvement in their lives, rather than race or income.(1)

Most trafficked youth have a history of abandonment, abuse, and neglect. One study revealed that 64% of prostituted girls had one or both parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol.(2)

GOD’S PERFECT DESIGN

God established the family unit as the foundation of society before any other area of cultural influence. Following His intended design brings blessing, whereas choosing not to follow His ways brings a curse (Deuteronomy 28). When the family breaks down, it not only affects individuals, but ultimately nations as well.

To read the full USRPN article on this issue, please click here.

PERSONAL REPENTANCE

Lord, forgive me if I have mirrored the sins of my culture through breaking marriage covenants, dishonoring my spouse, neglecting my children, and/or putting the god of materialism above You.

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Father, we repent for breaking Your commandments regarding how to conduct marriage and family in ways that release Your blessings upon us, our children, and all of society. Forgive us for neglecting to disciple the next generation regarding holy relationships, marriage, and family.

INTERCESSION

• God of creation, we call out to You for the healing and restoration of our families to Your original design. May husbands and wives honor one another and children experience a safe and loving environment.
   
• Give parents wisdom for a redirection of priorities, first a turning to You in repentance, then refocusing on the health and wellbeing of family members and relationships.
   
• Heavenly Father, we pray that pastors would teach on the biblical model and role of parents and the family.
   
• We ask that You would awaken fathers and mothers to the need to pray with and for their families consistently, intentionally, and fervently – that You would restore the family altar in homes across our nation.

TAKE ACTION

1. Establish a consistent time for family prayer in your home. We encourage you to buy a copy of Prayer Saturated Kids, written by Cheryl Sacks, co-founder of BridgeBuilders International that will help you in praying with and for your children.

2. Invite a single parent and their child/children to regularly take part in your family’s activities. Become an extended family and support system to them.

3. Make time with your children a priority – plan family fun nights, one-on-one “date” nights, etc.