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Snr Rev Sarah Nyathi Open Heavens
IT may happen that after we have observed all the commands of God, prayed, fasted, given and even sought deliverance,  we may note  that we are not experiencing the blessing of the Lord fully in our lives. In this article we are going to examine what is commonly referred to as the “father’s blessing”.  This blessing is of utmost importance and failure to observe the conditions that activate it can cause a dearth of blessing in our lives. The blessings may seem so unattainable until we are tempted to believe we are cursed or that some ill has befallen us.

The father’s blessing is very interesting as this blessing causes two distinct things to happen in our lives:-

– That it may be well with you. (this means things are working out well in your life)
– That you may live long on earth.

If things are not going well in life, take stock, check to see if you have done all that is necessary to attract this powerful blessing.

Through the course of  life we can have two types of fathers, the natural, biological father and practicing Christians may also have in addition to the natural father,  a spiritual father in the form of their pastor/priest/vicar. The father’s blessing can be unlocked as we observe certain conditions that need to be fulfilled with regard to these two fathers. However, at the outset I would wish to highlight that the spiritual father can never replace or supersede the biological father. There is a tendency amongst modern Pentecostal believers to almost deify and esteem their spiritual fathers too highly at the expense of their natural father or parents. It should be borne in mind that should the biological father not be treated equitably this may result in the heavens becoming as brass over the believer, blocking the much needed blessings. Honour, respect and esteem should be accorded to the spiritual fathers but also bearing in mind that our biological, natural fathers hold important keys to blessings, prosperity and longevity. Genesis 49 proves how fathers can give or withhold blessings. Jacob fully blessed his 9 sons but withheld complete blessings from Reuben who defiled his bed, and Simeon and Levi who had uncontrollable anger and murdered a man. Spiritual fathers on the other hand enhance and undergird the blessings that will already be activated through honouring and obeying the natural fathers.

The father’s blessing is activated as we honour, respect, esteem highly and obey our natural fathers.  It is further enhanced as we honour, obey, submit to and serve our spiritual fathers.

Genesis 27:2-4 outlines the account of Isaac and his son Esau. Isaac had reached the twilight of his years and desired to bless the son who had honoured and obeyed him. It appears that there were some keys to blessing that Esau understood and this can be deduced from the instruction given by father Isaac to his son Esau. He requests that Esau should go into the wilderness to hunt some game and prepare him the venison that he loved. After Isaac had eaten he would extend blessings to Esau before he died. There were conditions that Esau had to meet before the blessing was released upon him:-

– Obedience to leave his own activities and prioritize the father’s priorities.
– He had to follow the instructions carefully and prepare venison, not lamb, beef or chicken which would have been convenient as the latter are domesticated animals that can be found in most rural homes.
– After hunting he was to prepare the stew that the father loved, not a recipe of his choice. It had to be prepared according to the father’s instructions.
– The blessing would only be released on him after his father Isaac had partaken of a meal of his specification. Satisfaction with the meal would result in Isaac releasing blessing upon Esau. (Unfortunately Esau did not get the blessing after Jacob fulfilled the conditions of the blessing and deceived the father into believing that he was Esau).

If we are to be blessed by our natural fathers we must ensure that we please them, in a manner befitting their specifications. The secret to unlocked blessing is not to attempt to please them as you see fit, but as they desire. I have found that parents are easy to please, the smallest acts of kindness, care and affection release some of the greatest blessings I have witnessed. Yet, children (whether young or old take parents for granted not realising the consequences of such actions). Parents can release blessings or curses depending on how we regard and treat them. The curse that accrues to us because of  parental neglect may not be purposely cast by the neglected parent, but kicks in because of the scriptural promise that “honouring parents results in things going well for us and in longevity” and the opposite applies as this is a spiritual law. Negative consequences due to parental neglect are caused by the negative words and complaints spoken by emotionally distraught parents. This holds true because the scriptures state that “life and death are in the power of the tongue. . .” Ensure that your relationship with your parents is healthy so that you may reap the benefits of positive, life giving words spoken by them as they rejoice over your love and care.

This blessing also applies to people who may have biological fathers who are late, or in cases where a relationship with the father may have been rendered impossible. If you failed to connect to your father to unlock this blessing on your behalf you may still benefit by relating to a living representative of your father according to scripture. This may be a biological aunt (ubabakazi,), father’s male siblings, your biological mother or her representative. These representatives can unlock blessing in lieu of your father. Scriptural proof can be found in young Timothy who was the Apostle Paul’s spiritual son. Timothy was an excellent spiritual son, but Paul also acknowledged Timothy’s connection to his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. 2 Timothy 1:2 – “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son, Grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Vs 5 – When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.”

From this reference I could safely infer that Timothy enjoyed a vibrant healthy relationship with his biological family, it was so remarkable that Paul had no choice but to acknowledge it. I contend that his mother and grandmother were in a position to release the father’s blessing upon him. It should be noted that the only reference to Timothy’s biological father is in Acts 16 referring to his nationality. Timothy’s mother was a Jewess and his father Greek.

Spiritual fathers enhance the blessings that may already be unlocked in our lives by our natural parents.  They too should also be treated in a befitting manner so that they unlock the requisite blessings in our lives.  There are several keys that unlock blessings from a spiritual father.

Commit to one fellowship so that you can develop a relationship with a spiritual father. Church cruising may be fun, as you move from one crusade, conference, concert, or deliverance session to another. But this does not assist you to develop spiritual roots nor enjoy a relationship of accountability to a spiritual father.

Serve in the church. Find ways to be a blessing and offer your time and resources as you see fit. Ensure you are an asset to the church not a liability, assist wherever possible.

Develop a spirit of sonship. Sons are loyal, committed, responsible and obedient.

Churches are filled with uncommitted, disloyal, rebellious congregants who want to enjoy the benefits of being a son while they behave like rogues.

The prophet Elijah and  his spiritual son Elisha in 1 Kings 19 refers. The prophet Elijah calls the young Elisha to follow him while he was occupied by farming activities.  Elisha requests permission to return and bid his parents farewell, an indication that he enjoyed a healthy relationship with his biological parents.

Immediately thereafter he follows Elijah and serves him as a spiritual son. The scriptures refer to him as the man who poured water on Elijah’s hands, signifying practical service to his spiritual father. Those who observed the relationship between the two men, referred to Elijah as Elisha’s master but Elisha knew that he was cultivating a relationship with his spiritual father. He was committed, served the older prophet and remained with him though the older prophet created opportunities for them to be separated – in Gilgal, Bethel, Jericho and at the River Jordan (2 Kings). He committed to remain with his spiritual father to the end. Though others viewed Elisha as the servant of Elijah, Elisha regarded him as a father as evidenced by his final cries as Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire – 2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen there of.

The result of this relationship that included commitment, accountability, service, sonship was the blessing of a double portion of the spirit or anointing that was resident in Elijah. Modern believers expect that if they give a hasty offering, have hands laid on them by a powerful servant of God they will receive a similar anointing, I beg to differ as I have observed that imparted gifts and anointing are usually a result of committed relationship that includes service.

Both natural and spiritual fathers can release complementary blessings in our lives. We cannot have one without the other. Never allow relationships with either your spiritual or natural families, especially the fathers to be compromised. Honour your father and mother, for this is the first commandment with promise. Some refuse to honour their parents because they have many flaws, weaknesses or may not subscribe to similar religious beliefs. The Bible clearly commands us to honour our parents, period. It does not command us to honour perfect, flawless, Christian parents.

Work on them both relationships with equal passion and fervour and I can assure you 2015 will be a year with a difference. Repent and change if you have neglected or disregarded the crucial relationships.

Repentance entails apologies and working out how to restore relationships. No amount of praying, fasting or deliverance can replace the honour of parents with its accrued benefits.

In this particular regard obedience to the biblical law is more efficacious than misdirected prayers. Direct your prayer energies to other areas of your life as the father’s blessing is only activated practically through honour and respect of parents.