My Dad was my idol growing up. It was a good middle class, suburban life. But it lacked God. Oh our family would go to a wedding, maybe even a funeral. And sometimes I went with my Mom to church. I even got a Bible when I was thirteen, the elder telling me all I needed to do to join that church was to remember “God is love” when questioned by the pastor. That was indeed the one question; I answered correctly; I was now a member. I never heard the word “repent” until decades later.
Joining the local church was window dressing. I turned to my Dad and his values instead of the Lord’s. I hardly ever opened that Bible until years later. I don’t think I ever prayed with my Dad. Now I see that I need to repent for the generational curses that I took on from him, that he took on from my grandfather, and— just guessing here– maybe those of my great-grandfather, angry at God for perilous times in Ireland.
I learned from my Dad that when his father, then a teenager, once made a mistake as an altar boy, the priest hit him after the service. My grandfather never went back to church. My Dad never attended a church. God was out of the picture.
I believe I took this anger at God on as a generational curse, not even knowing what I was doing. Now I see it, as did Nehemiah, chapter 1 and chapter 9. Would you join me now in repenting from whatever generational curse you inherited?
” Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I renounce every prideful, angry word and action against You in my life. I repent. Please forgive me. Tear down this stronghold of sin. I choose Your Love to run my actions. Restore me in Your mercy and grace. Open my hear to love you fully. In Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN.”
Pastor Jeff Daly
