For You From The Word
Talk about [God’s commandments] when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
For You To Think About
First in a series on fatherhood
“Eighty percent of success is showing up,” said actor Woody Allen.
It’s impossible to put a price tag on “being there” for those we love. But increasingly American dads are not present in their children’s lives.
- Tonight, 40% of all American children will go to sleep in a house in which their fathers do not live.
- Before the age of eighteen, more than 50% of our children will spend a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their fathers.
- A generation ago, an American child could reasonably expect to grow up with a dad. Today, an American child can reasonably expect not to.
These and other startling facts are outlined in Fatherless America (Harper Perennial, 1996) by David Blankenhorn, founder of the nonpartisan National Fatherhood Initiative.
Research underscores the powerful impact of a father’s presence. Children of involved fathers show higher cognitive competence, academic, self-acceptance, personal and social adjustment rates – further demonstrating the need for fathers to be present in their children’s lives at home and when moving about in the community, both day and night (Deuteronomy 6:7).
A father’s presence matters.
For You To Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for modeling fatherhood to us and for always being there for us. Move in the hearts of fathers. Give them an overwhelming desire to be involved in their children’s lives. Show them how their influence can powerfully impact their children for good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
More about Fathers and Fatherhood
Fatherhood Series #2: Effective Fathers are Teachers