The Biblical model for the family is under increasing pressure today to compromise – to follow the worldly trends and standards of an increasingly liberal society. Men have an important God-given place and role in society, in the church and especially within the family. The following are guidelines to aid us in standing in the gap for men. Let us pray for their protection from evil and for the strength and grace they need to take up their God-given role and mandate.
1. Spiritual life
Without an intimate relationship with God we can do nothing (John 5:19). Pray for men to earnestly seek God daily, not neglecting their time of devotion and prayer. Pray that they will love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.
2. Godly friends
Pray for every man who has surrendered his life to God to find godly friends and become part of a men’s prayer group that will encourage, mentor and equip him to grow as a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Pray that older men will mentor younger men in the faith. Pray for courage to stand for truth in a culture that often opposes biblical values.
3. Marriage and family
Pray for every husband to love his wife as he loves himself. Also, to take care of her, cherish and love her as Christ loved the Church. Pray for husbands to give themselves to their wives and children as Jesus does for the Church. Pray that God will help every married man to separate himself from the wider family and be joined to his wife and children the way God intended for families (Ephesians 5:31).
4. Family altar
Ask that fathers will restore the family altar, sanctify and cleanse their wives with the washing of water by the Word, and encourage them to follow God’s calling on their lives. Pray for all decision-making to be done in prayer and seeking the counsel of God. Pray that husbands will lead their families with humility and godly character, honouring and cherishing their wives, and setting a Christ-like example for their children (1 Peter 3:7–8).
5. Time and money
Pray that men will reconsider the way they spend their time and money. Pray that men will be faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to them. Pray for freedom from debt, greed, and materialism. Pray that married men will be honest with their wives regarding their finances and that families will learn how to manage their monthly expenses wisely (Ephesians 5:26-30). Pray also that the parents of married couples will encourage and guide them to seek the Lord’s face regarding their family finances.
6. To be a father
Pray that fathers will not provoke their children, making life bitter for them, being negative and criticising their children all the time, but will rather discipline them in a godly way and encourage them in things concerning their identity, gifts and talents (Colossians 3:20-21).
7. Role of priest
Pray that husbands will lead their families with humility and godly character, honouring and cherishing their wives, and setting a Christlike example for their children (1 Peter 3:7–8).
8. Have the mind of Christ
Pray for men to have the mind of Christ, to have compassion for one another, to love as brothers, to be tender-hearted and courteous, not repaying evil with evil or insult with insult – but on the contrary, with blessing, knowing that they were called to this (1 Peter 3:8-9).
9. Restrain their tongue
Ask that men will love life God’s way and restrain their tongues so that they do not speak evil or deceit, and that they refrain from taking bribes to obtain business deals or become involved in any unrighteous business dealings (1 Peter 3:10-11).
10. Waiting on God for a wife
Pray for unmarried men to set their hearts towards the Lord in expectation, while waiting for the right life partner. Pray for them to keep themselves pure and undefiled before the Lord until they get married one day. Especially pray for men who have lost their wives or got divorced to set their hearts towards the Lord in this matter. Pray for their protection from being deceived or tempted into ungodly relationships.
11. Teenagers
The next generation of young men need much prayer! Pray for boys coming of age to have male mentors helping them to connect and walk with God in purity, and to join in groups with other young men who keep themselves pure for marriage. Pray for protection from temptation, addiction, pornography and destructive habits. Also, pray for protection over their minds, hearts and families.
12. Leadership
Pray for men to be established in their identity in God – to know and understand His love and call on their lives. Pray for them to grow strong in the Lord and become courageous in following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Especially pray for those taking up leadership positions in society, to set an example that will correct immoral behaviour among their friends and will set straight ungodliness in society and business dealings.
13. Mission and influence
Pray that men will recognise that they have been called by God to be witnesses for the Lord Jesus wherever He has placed them. Ask the Lord to fill them with courage, wisdom and compassion so that their lives will reflect His character and truth. Pray that they will be a godly influence in their homes, workplaces, churches and communities, shining the light of Jesus Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.
14. Give thanks
Thank the Lord for touching the hearts and lives of so many men – healing them, strengthening them and propelling them forward into God’s purpose and individual call upon their lives. Give thanks to Him for answering the prayers of many parents, wives and children for the men in their lives.
