When U Pray

Everything is usually catered to the women. But this month Whenupray is dedicating June to the men. Please read below as David Goolsby discuss fatherhood… 

Have you ever snuck into an event, like a wedding reception, without an invitation? Or how about sneaking into a movie theater without paying? What about sneaking into an “R” rated movie when you were 15 years old? Many of us can testify of sneaking into events without the proper credentials or having followed the proper protocol.

 It seems like no matter where you go, you will run into a brother who will be looking for a ‘hookup’. The rules could have been posted, the tickets have been on sale for weeks, but somebody will be trying to cut in line without a ticket, looking for a ‘hookup’. Just why not follow the protocol and get your ticket in advance?

 God has a protocol for His Kingdom:

The protocol in this parable was 1) To be invited, and 2) Receive and wear the robe (wedding clothes)

Matthew 22:1-13 (NIV) Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: Matt. 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

 How did the man get in there without following the protocol of accepting and putting on the wedding garment? In those days, kings were accustomed to give gifts of changes of clothing to their friends and favorites. At a wedding feast, the guests would normally be given fine linen garments to wear, usually white. To refuse to receive the gift was a major ‘dis’. You must be crazy to dis a king? You would most likely be killed, as in the above scripture.

 So how does this apply to fatherhood? Many males have snuck into fatherhood without following the proper protocol. I’m not ignoring that some of you males buy all your children’s clothes, and provide adequate amounts of care, financial support, love, etc. I commend you for that. But what I’m talking about is entering into fatherhood without following the proper protocol.

 The proper protocol for fatherhood is to be married

Marriage signifies the commitment from which love can grow. It says, “I Love You.” It says, “I’m giving you more than a baby, I’m giving you the most important part about me and that is my name.” Proverbs 22:1 says a good name is more desirable than great riches.  

 Marriage is more than a drive by, “Hey baby, you’re fine!” It’s more than an, “I love you.” Marriage is a covenant. That’s the highest form of commitment.  

 Marriage says to your child, “I love your mother.” Marriage says to a mother-in-law, and father-in-law that I value and appreciate your daughter.

 Marriage says that this relationship is bigger than me. It’s the foundation of building a legacy based on covenant.  

 Marriage is the protocol by which fatherhood is established. Folks used to say that a particular child was illegitimate. But taking the protocol stance, I say that there are no illegitimate children, just illegitimate daddies that haven’t earned the right to be called, “Father”.

 If that’s you then you can pray this prayer with me and ask The Lord’s forgiveness.

Father, in The Name of Jesus, I repent for my sin of trying to do it my way instead of doing it Your Way. Your Way of Fatherhood is the best way. Your Ways are higher than my ways. Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Your provision for me as my Father is better than my provision for my children.

I thank You for providing Your Son, Jesus Christ who died for my sins and washed them away by His Own Blood. I thank You for raising Him from the dead, and I thank You for forgiving me and receiving me back into Your Kingdom.

More than anything I want my child(ren) to know Your Son, Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Help me to lead, in Word, Spirit, and by example in Jesus’ Name. Amen.