One of the gates mentioned in last week’s discussion was the family gate. In my family there has been a lack of consistent father figures. We were raised in a single-parent household, and although we may have known our fathers, they were often absent. This absence has contributed to feelings of rejection and abandonment in the lives of family members, along with a weakened sense of personal responsibility and accountability. There are several breaches that I have recognized within this gate. A lack of consistent leadership, cycles of generational strongholds such as addiction, poverty, stagnation, and delay. The breaches come from the broken family structure, generational cycles that remain unaddressed, unresolved wounds such as the rejection and abandonment which have caused unhealthy behaviors, unhealthy mindsets, instability, which have hindered growth and unity within the family. Unfortunately, this dysfunction has been passed down to the next generations. Restoration Insight: Restoration in the gate of family starts with being intentional and consistent with standing in the gap for the family through prayer and fasting. Being an example by living a life with Jesus at the center. Living a life of love, integrity, and discipline. I believe that restoration will come as the past traumas and wounds are addressed, and accountability is reestablished and family members will take responsibility for their decisions and actions. I am praying for restoration for my family. I know that restoration is a process and not instant. It is a process that requires faithfulness and patience.

What Gate(s) Has God Authorized me to Influence The gates God has authorized me to influence is family and career. I believe I was chosen by God to be the leader and barrier breaker of my family even though I am not the oldest within the family. God has given me the burden to stand in the gap and pray for my family that generational strongholds of addiction, poverty, lack, stagnation, delay and idolatry be broken off our bloodline. Standing in the position of the leader of the family I am an example, an encourager, mentor, one that extends love, grace, guidance, assistance, and provides a place for restoration and new beginnings. My responsibility to family is not only to stand in the gap, but to remind them of who they are, their purpose and to point them back to Jesus. God has strategically placed me in my workplace to build relationships with coworkers. These relationships have allowed me to become a support system by being a listening ear, offering prayer and most importantly the word of God. I have learned how to become a good steward of the knowledge and responsibilities of my profession which allows me to interact with individual across the organization which gives me the opportunity to show the love of Christ and to be representation of Him in the workplace.