Raising Fatherless Daughters: God's Design and Hope

1. She needs protection and a covering.

God’s design for families included a biblical order with the dad as the “head” of the home. When the father is no longer there, the wife and children are left in a vulnerable position. The good news is that God steps in as their Defender (Psalm 68:5) and establishes “true religion” to be that of others caring for the widow and the fatherless (James 1:27). Mothers must look to Him as their refuge, leading their children to do the same.

2. She wants to feel pretty.

This need is often first met by affirmation from her father. After he is gone, it is important that Mom encourages her to find her identity in Christ and to know that beauty is more than outward appearance (1 Peter 3:3-4). Beyond that, remind her that she is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, NASB).

3. She will be tempted to look for love in all the wrong places.

The longing for love in the absence of an earthly father is a void that can be satisfied by God alone. Single moms must look to God for their own satisfaction and model this for their daughters. Nothing can separate you both from God’s love. (Romans 8:38).

4. She wants to be accepted.

The loss of an earthly dad creates a wound many young girls will carry for life. Mom must teach her that she was created by God for a specific purpose and chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 2:10, NASB).

5. She is grieving the absence of a physical dad.

She needs support, godly role models, prayer, and encouragement to put her trust in God.

A prayer for moms raising girls without an earthly dad:

Dear Father,

You are good, gracious, holy, and wise. Thank You that You are a Father to the fatherless. Thank You, Lord, that You promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it. You give it generously and without reproach. Please grant wisdom to moms who are raising daughters without a dad. I pray that You would meet them in their moment of need and give them clarity, discernment, and understanding of how to raise them to love, trust, obey, know, and be deeply satisfied in You alone.

I pray that You would bring healthy relationships with men into their daughters’ lives. Men that are a tangible expression of how you father us. I pray that You would raise these young girls to know and love You. May they look to You as Father and find complete satisfaction in You. Protect their purity and call them to live holy lives.

Thank You for Your goodness and that You are able to keep each one of us and are the only one who is able to meet our deepest needs and guide us through life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Consider a few extra resources:

Guiding my girls as a solo mom

3 life-changing truths for the single mom who doesn’t “got this”

Lori Apon

Lori Apon is the founder and Executive Director of Perspective Ministries.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” became the anchor promise for our family in 1999 upon the tragic death of Bobby Apon, my husband and the father of our 8 children. Hundreds of people walked alongside our family, modeling how to care for the widow and fatherless. Because of their involvement in our lives and with the perspective of God as Defender and Father, 20 years later we continue to testify that choosing God’s perspective makes a difference.
With an empty nest in sight, God called me to give the next season of my life to comfort as we had been comforted. In 2015 Perspective Ministries was started to meet the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the widow and her fatherless children. To this day we strive to connect the widow to resources and help, reminding her she has not been left alone, and to equip churches and volunteers to care for widows and their children in meaningful ways.