The Fatherly H.A.T. of a Prophet

Interpretation is everything – so is preparation. Our children are not always with us and with modern technology and information overload, even when they are with us, they may not be with us. Wouldn’t it be incredible if we could definitively tell the future to our child to protect them and encourage righteous productivity? A prepared child is confident and more likely to make the right decisions consistently. This is especially true if the expectations engrained by a dad’s forth-telling and foretelling come to pass. Some popular and unpopular things must be divulged. Fatherhood is a prophetic calling.

Warn them and give them hope. Verbal communication is necessary. Grace-led fathers in tune with the FATHER are anointed to proclaim and predict which lend to their children a clearer vision of situations and circumstances. His attitude and communication is “thus sayeth the LORD” but spoken in vernacular commonly understood to his child. Fatherhood often requires relaying what will happen and a dad’s words imbed themselves in the heart mind of his child. Dad, what is said is left to interpretation and will translate into how a child sees as his/her potential or destiny.  When dad says ‘Mark my words…’ – they will.

One of the hats a dad wears is the mitre of a prophet, either righteous or false.  It may be unpopular but wisdom dictates that dads stand on revealed truth so that his authority is legitimate and earnestly transferrable. Dad’s words speak to, underscore, italicize and embolden a child’s potential and possible outcome if they walk in righteous integrity. Really to operate properly as a prophet in the home dad needs to consistently hear and agree with truth, then foresee/discern the outcomes and relay it to his child before he or she needs it. Here he becomes either the early warning system or the dream-killer.

We have all heard the statement that the truth hurts. The truth about the truth is that the truth heals and the truth protects. Plus, lies and even well intentioned misinformation are way more damaging and devastating than the truth – everyday. Ultimately, dads must relay the truth and to encourage faithfulness, warn of dangers and foster hope. The goal of the prophet is to heighten awareness of what can and will happen based in ‘if-then’ scenarios. They denote signs/signals, visions of what to watch out for, what to look for and what to look forward to; thus he is giving his child wisdom spectacles with bifocal lens, where warning and hope are clear.  

 The Fatherly H.A.T of a Prophet:

Honor – Speak up regardless…often the honor in being prophetic is delayed. A prophet may not have honor in his own home immediately. Dads need to be informed, discerning and steadfast in relaying truth, whether he feels they are listening, receiving or absorbing the wisdom or not. When applicable they will hearken or recall what you have shared. It may require hog pit cuisine to help the prodigals to think clearly; however, whether obedience and seriousness is immediate or stale-dated our kids are worth the investment

Accountability – Help create a relationship with forecasted truth for your child. Dad, do you study patterns in history…biblical, family, and your child? With great expectations, do you relay what GOD has said will happen, what is happening and the outcomes of wise or foolish action to your child? Are you praying specifically about your child’s future? How are we displaying faith and how relevant is GOD’s Word and promises in our homes? Do we honestly expect our children to meet their potential while obeying GOD?

Training – a practical way to help our children picture a productive and honorable future is through prayer, watching the news together, doing a relaxed Bible Study and periodical vision-casting.  Be clear about GOD’s intentions, HIS boundaries and HIS empowerment. A dad taking every chance possible to encourage faith in his child is operating as a prophet.

 It may be a good idea to talk about the pros and cons of your child’s future:

Ø  In the car or during a commute

Ø  During meals

Ø  While checking homework

Ø  While doing chores together

Ø  When times are tough and money is tight

Ø  When they are being inquisitive