As the husband and father in my family, I am called by God to be the Spiritual Leader of my family. I see this extending even to my two son-in-law's as they in turn develop spiritual leadership in their new families.
I was reminded this morning in my quiet time how much responsibility that this entails. Just as Moses was the spiritual leader of the Isrealites during the forty years in the desert, I am to be a lead and guide to my family to constantly point them to God. My pastor said it well in church several weeks ago... He (God) is the Shepherd and spiritual leaders are the under-shepherds that help guide the flock.
As a Spiritual Leader, I must take responsibility when someone under my care falls. Where did I fall short and how can I change to become a better leader? How can I help to lift them back up and place them back on God's path for their life?
I was reminded of how I let distractions enter into my personal time with God. I have made some changes that will lessen these distractions. Before I start looking at the morning news stories, I will get my devotions and prayer with God done first. Sounds simple enough and I get up early to do just that but so many times, I let the morning news crowd out this time.
One other thing that I am doing is that my prayers will be deliberate and with purpose. Although it isn't a formula for prayer, a good format is known as ACTS. A is adoration, praising God for who He is. C is confession, looking back at yesterday and confessing the times that I have fallen short of His goals for me. T is thanksgiving, thanking Him that He is a God of second chances. Finally, S is for supplication. Not focusing on things that I want but things that I need to do His work. Lifting others in intercessory prayer. As the spiritual leader of my household, lifting my family in each of the activities going on in their lives.
I'm being deliberate in my prayers by writing them down and then kneeling in a submission to God, praying them out loud to Him. I'm doing this to keep distractions to a minimum. If I am voicing my prayers, my mind is not wandering on dozens of other things. I want to be focused totally... completely on Him.
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2 comments:
I think this is a battle that most men fight. Yet, it is a goal the we must strive for. I, too, am guilty of letting the morning news box-out my morning devotions. In our individual Supplications, let us pray for each other to be more successful in this. Thanks for the post!
Well said Daddy. The sermon I talked about in my last post included ACTS too. He also said that the way he has found his "praying High" was by:
1. getting alone
2. kneeling down (posture precedes power in prayer...such a pastor euphemism isn't it?)
3. Outline (ACTS)
4. Having a list of specific things and people to pray about
5.Praying out loud (so the only thoughts are that of the prayer so not to get distracted)
:-) Oh, and such a serious picture! (very handsome of course)--new one for Farm Bureau?
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