First, pray for wisdom as a father (Proverbs 2:1-7, James 1:5-8). There are situations you experience as a father where it feels like there just isn’t a good option on the table. There are other situations you face as a father where you simply do not know what to do. So, pray for wisdom. The Bible assures God’s people that if they ask God for wisdom, and if they seek it like treasure, God will be faithful to grant wisdom to those who need it. Fathers, it seems “wise” to begin praying for wisdom now before a crisis hits and you’re left scrambling.

Second, pray for the salvation of your children (John 3:1-8, 1 Peter 1:3). There are many things you can do for your children as a dad. Saving your children from their sin problem and the wrath of God is not one of those things. You child needs to be born again, born from above. This new birth is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. It is not the result of human lineage or the will of a parent. Pray that God would do what only God can do – save your children. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to use your teaching to awaken your children to their need for salvation. Pray that God would give your children new hearts.

Third, pray for the spiritual protection of your children (Genesis 4:7, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Peter 5:8). Most fathers recognize the dangers that exist in the world today. In addition to external dangers like drugs, bullies, scammers, and predators, the Bible tells us that sin is crouching at the door of our hearts, ready to devour us. The Bible says we wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, and we are being hunted by the devil himself. The dangers that exist in this world are great, so pray for the spiritual protection of your children.

Fourth, pray for future generations of your family (Psalm 78:1-8, 2 Timothy 2:2). The immediate aim of fatherhood is raising children who know the Lord and walk faithfully with him. However, the end game for a father has to be longer and bigger than one generation of children. The book of Psalms calls fathers to teach their children in such a way that those children will be able to teach a generation that has not yet been born. Likewise, Paul urged Timothy to entrust the truth of the gospel to men who would in turn pass down the gospel to a new generation. Fathers, even now, pray for future generations of your family.