01. Be trustworthy – “Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?” (Proverbs 20:6) Our choices and habits determine our character. As you allow for God to rule every area of your life, your spouse and children will be secure and trust your leadership. “One can leave a spare key with a trustworthy neighbor.”
02. Be resilient – “If you have run with footman and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) Ask the Lord for courage and don’t give up easily when things get tough. Fight against the odds and be a man of valor and faith.
03. Be forgiving – “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matthew 6:14,15). Praise God that Christ redeemed us from our sin by dying for us the cruel death on the cross. Allow for the Father to forgive you and to welcome you back home as you, too, forgive those who are guilty against you.
04. Be moral – “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18,20). Be on your guard in a culture that promotes lasciviousness. Remember, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are not your own but belong to Christ. “Glorify God in your body.”
05. Living in His presence – Dear Lord Jesus, I once thought I only needed You when things got bad, but now I know that I need You every moment. Furthermore, since You now indwell me, I realize that I also have You. Thank You for joining Yourself to me in an inseparable bond. Your presence permanently resides in me. (Romans 8:9)
06. Grace – “Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning” (Psalms 143:8). Every day new and fresh are God’s grace and faithfulness. He never ends even if the day is long. You can count on Him in every way.
07. Direction – “Teach me the way in which I should walk; for you I lift up my soul” (Psalms 143:8b). As you talk with God, He will let you know what your next step should be. In the name of Jesus, you will be able to do the good things that He has already prepared for you to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
08. Image bearer – “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). Both men and women carry God’s image. How important to remember that as we honor and serve each other we do so to the glory of God.
09. Special role – “Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). God’s Word assigns a different role to us men than to the women. It certainly is a blessing if we men recognize our role and honor and serve God through it.
10. Pass it on – “And I will bless you… and so you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:3). A living example in Israel is the difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Both receive the same river. The Sea of Galilee passes the water on and is alive. Not so the Dead Sea. To whom do I compare my life?
11. Truth – “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The dictionary defines truth as being in accord with fact and reality. There is so much more to truth than we can ever reach. Allow for Jesus Christ to open your mind and heart to His eternal reality.
12. Creator – “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator” (Romans 1:25). Adam and Eve bought the lie that they would be equal to their Creator and disobeyed God. Pray to be a man who honors the Creator by knowing and obeying His Word, thetruth of God.
13. Passions – Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion. Millions of websites lure men to give in to illicit sexual desires. When God gives men over to their passion, it is because they have not heeded His warning to flee from sexual immorality. (Romans 1:26,27) Be on the alert and decide to be a pure warrior.
14. Immorality – “But among you there should be not even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity or greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Be honest with yourself. Fight to be pure. But don’t make sexuality a tabu. Rather, help your children and other men to deal with it properly.
15. Wisdom – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Lord, how can men start fearing You unless You send a mighty spiritual revival? Please, open the eyes of the blind to see Your mighty works in creation and use me to be a witness of Your love and redeeming grace.
16. Forgiven – Oh God, at times I have felt so unworthy of Your forgiveness. But now, I realize that’s what the cross is all about. When Christ died for me, Your mercy and grace were made available to me. Thank You for forgiving me of all my sins. I am so grateful for the unmerited favor. Therefore, I now forgive myself. (Ephesians 1:7)
17. A Divine inheritance – Dear Lord, I am so grateful that You provided me with a Divine inheritance. I am honored to be a joint heir with Christ. I now know that when I put my trust in Christ, You entered into my life and joined Yourself to me. My inheritance is You, Lord Jesus. I have everything I need in You.(Ephesians 1:11,12)
18. The promise – Heavenly Father, thank You for sending me the promised Holy Spirit when I believed in Christ. Now that the Spirit of life in Christ indwells me, I have the assurance of my final redemption and I am safe in You. Your glory can now be revealed through me. I praise You for blessing me with Your life!(Ephesians 1:13,14)
19. The revelation – Dear God, I ask that You would grant me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. I trust You, Holy Spirit, to reveal Christ to me. Cause me to know my identity and my spiritual inheritance in Christ. Make Christ known to me so I can experience His presence in every area of my life. (Ephesians 1:17)
20. Enlightenment – Holy Spirit, open my eyes that I might behold wondrous things from Your Word. Enlighten my understanding regarding Your great power. Reveal to me this awesome power, which is now available to me in Christ. Empower me to accomplish Your Kingdom purposes. Let others see Jesus in me! (Ephesians 1:18,19)
21. The prayer – Dear Lord, I have tried to fix my problems and improve my life, but it never works. I now know that my only hope is You, Lord. I am grateful for the wonderful gift of Your saving grace. Thank You that You gave Your life for me so that You could give Your life to me and live Your life through me. (Galatians 2:20)
22. Word – The disciple of Jesus needs to store up the teaching of the Bible in his mind and heart to win his daily battles. The enemy will fight against this. (Matthew 13:19) Pray for patience and perseverance in the battle of memorizing Bible verses, and the Lord will give victory!
23. Content – Television, movies, internet and other programming, when not well chosen, can contaminate a man’s heart and thus influence his speech and actions. Pray to be a man of the Word. Then you will have the proper tools to resist the negative influence of culture and circumstances. (Matthew 7:24)
24. Partners – What a blessing when husband and wife plan and accomplish many things together while enjoying each other’s company. That is the Lord’s plan! Therefore, make time in your marriage for mutual sharing and prayer. God desires to bless your marriage and make you a blessing for family and friends.(Matthew 18:19,20)
25. Protection – As fathers, you certainly wish that your children are well and safe from harm. The fact is that we can’t always be close to them in order to protect them from bad circumstances. Pray that the Heavenly Father keeps them in His care and His angels guard them in all their ways. (Matthew 18:10)
26. Transformation – In the Bible the desert is compared to a time of difficulty and trial. But it was also a God-ordained time to give His people the opportunity to discover their own heart and learn godly priorities. Lord, as I go through the desert of hard times, may I learn to lean on You and trust Your Word.(Deuteronomy 8:2)
27. Generations – Parents and children can experience what is called “generational blessing or conflict.” When the Word of the Lord is obeyed and a father honored, the relationship will become a source of blessing for the children. (Proverbs 4:1-4) Lord, may Your wisdom and discernment permeate my relationship with my children!
28. Power – Control and power are two deceiving forces. All human effort to bring social justice so easily ends up in power struggles. God’s Kingdom is different and based on His rule. Allow His Spirit to lead you today. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah. 4:6)
29. Inheritance – A materialistic society measures an inheritance by the fleeting value of possessions and money. God’s people rather measure an inheritance by the permanent blessing of a godly character and a good name. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). Pray to be that good man.
30. Trust – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight” (Proverbs 3:5,6). Believe that our God is greater! Nothing is impossible for Him! He is only a prayer away and “fulfills the desire of those who fear Him.”
