Positioned as the Priest in Your Home

Today, I want conclude my 3-blog appeal to the men. I’ve been writing to you guys out of the context of Nehemiah 4: 13 which says: Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

This week I want to share what this means regarding taking on the role to be the first to pray and intercede for your family. Don’t wait for someone else to do it, not even the pastor or some other spiritual leader. You are not only a protector and provider, but you are also a priest in your home.

From the time our children were in kindergarten and all the way through high school graduation, I felt that I was responsible to pray with them every school day. As head of the household, I felt it was my job; not because I was
'the man' but simply because I was the head of the household.

Even though my wife and I shared in that responsibility, I felt I was supposed to take the lead. Even though church traditions promote fond thoughts about a mother’s prayer, I wanted my sons to know that their dad was praying for them.

Every morning I led them in a prayer before they went out the door for school. When the years came in which I needed to drive them to school, I recited this prayer before releasing them from the car. I prayed the same prayer every day. I wanted them to memorize it, without telling them to memorize. However, they can recite it to this day and I have a suspicion they will recite it over their children someday.

I prayed, “Thank You Lord for Christopher, Jonathan and David. Help them to have a good day at school, today. Give them your grace, favor, protection and wisdom; in Jesus’ name,  Amen.”

Sometimes I would add something else if I felt led to do so. Every morning, Monday through Friday, they got this prayer from their dad before they walked out the door or stepped out of the car. Many nights and weekends, I’d go into their rooms and lay my hands on them while they slept and just whispered a prayer of protection or something about their future. This is what I mean when I talk about Nehemiah’s strategy to position men behind the walls.

Today, Carol and I are still positioned on that wall as we’re investing into their college educations and helping them transition into adulthood and life beyond their parents. We’re not sacrificing our son’s futures by holding on to our selfish desires, to do all the things we always wanted to do. We're doing whatever we can to push them forward.

Now it’s all about being in position to prepare them to cover their families.

The same priestly calling applies to praying for my wife. Even though I don’t pray with her as often as I need, I still pray for her all the time. In the late night, I lay my hands on her shoulder and pray over her. This not only closes the gaps in spiritual warfare, but it closes the gaps in our relationship.

It’s hard to be critical and judgmental of your wife, if you’re praying for her. All the things that would irritate you or anger you, melts away as you pray for your spouse. The Spirit of God opens you up to see her struggles, fears and insecurities. Then He gives you wisdom and shows you many ways to help her, heal her, and secure her in your love for her.

You can do it brothers! 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6b)