Father God, this second child (now grown up) was an answer to a specific prayer for a son, for his father to know the joy of having a son, and for a mother’s hope similar to Hannah’s – to give this son to God for “him to dwell in the presence of the Lord forever” – like Samuel (I Samuel 1:20-22). God’s answer for me came in less than 4 hours of labor under a January full moon, and a subsequent road to four decades of life, saturated with complexity, hurdles and doubt; but also, miracles, faith, and abounding grace!
Lord, as the truths of Colossians and Romans 9 took root in his life, I watched You take this beloved rebel and call him to be a “son of the living God” (Romans 9:26). What a mercy! What a “potter-and-clay” living example of Your faithfulness as well as a means for meeting my need for times of testing to deepen my wavering “mother-faith.”
Father, thank you that my son has a love for theology and the reformed confessions of the Christian faith. At the same time, I pray that the systematic study of Your nature, relationship with the world, and tenants of faith would never replace the profound pleasure of his knowing You personally through Your everyday miracles in his life and Your eternal interests in molding him into the likeness of Your Son Jesus.
Lord, just like the expression of restoration that comes from blooming flowers lovingly cultivated in a backyard, enable this son to clearly herald to others that death has been overcome by Christ and that we were designed for beauty and immortality. In his calling to preach Your Word, may his spiritual plantings be received in the soil of many receptive hearts. May Truth be articulated in such a way as to awaken the thirst of souls for our Great God and for the salvation that only He can supply.
Thank you God for gifting this son with a refreshing “let’s all go” approach to life and friendship with others. Enable him to continue to be wisely inclusive, continually hospitable, and diligently proactive in building relationships for family-strengthening and church-growing. Multiply his ministries and cover him with Your ongoing sanctifying work, widening wisdom, and compassionate care.
Thank you Lord for all the FaceTimes and personal visits that my son and his family blessed us with during Covid days and beyond! Bless him richly for purposefully reaching out and showing up often when convenience and time constraints and responsibilities make it a true challenge.
May Hebrews 12:2 be the trajectory of my son’s life. May he look unwaveringly to the Lord, the Founder and Perfecter of his faith. May this young pastor be rooted firmly in You Lord, and be described as an “oak of righteousness” because of his well-watered faith. May he be the strong and compassionate husband, father, son and friend You intend him to be. May You give him increasing patience to lead and love well. May You give him humility before You and uncommon grace expressed continually toward others. May you enable him to fulfill the pastoral calling You have placed in his life for Your glory and honor!
Amen.
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