My first son-in-law became introduced to our family 23 years ago and instantly became a Virginia Tech fan, 99% because it was his future wife’s university, but also because the VT football fan craze contagion cannot be avoided by anyone! He became the Dad of my very first grandchild which is a very distinct honor! So, the journey to our “family building” began with him!
Thank you God that this son founded his household on the Firm Rock, Jesus Christ (Luke 6:47)! I do not worry that any earthly floods of sorrow or suffering will overcome this strong foundation. Thank you God that Your eternal Word fell on his heart’s good and rich soil long ago so that he is a faithful and fruitful husband, father, son, brother, co-worker, and friend. Multiply his fruitfulness to a hundredfold (Mark 4:8-9). Let him be a man who boasts that he knows and understands You Lord, and therefore flows with Your steadfast love, justice, and righteousness (Jere. 9:23-24). For his humility and kindness, I am so grateful. Thank You for giving him a heart of flesh rather than a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:23-24), for this reflects the Spirit of the Living God in his life of faith. Thank You that he is a man of prayer.
This faithful fixer of broken things is a builder and restorer of gasoline and diesel engines. For that matter, he is also handy at most all domestic repairs and minor renovations. He has a servant’s heart and a thoughtful personality. He is ready to share himself whenever there is a need. Dear God, please remove any “weariness in well-doing” that comes close to him, because he instead will trust You in all things. You have given him the gift of practical stewardship with which he blesses our family continually. He is our most dependable mender of appliances, painter, hammerer, nailer, wrencher, tightener, purifier of swimming pool water, mower, mulcher, carrier of heavy objects, washer of pots and pans and plates after a meal, smoker of meats, and automotive magician. No job seems too big or too small. The list goes on.
I pray that my son-in-law will continue to love the Scriptures and be strengthened in the grace of Christ to speak and act as a trustworthy and reliable witness who can teach others (2 Tim. 2:1-2). I pray that You will prepare him to preach the Word in season and out of season with patience and care (2 Tim. 4:2). I ask that You develop his leadership and teaching gifts in his church community. I pray that You will widen his spiritual sensitivity as You speak to him through Your Word.
Finally, I pray I Thess. 1:2-4 over my first son-in-law. God, will You greatly expand this son’s works of faith, labors of love, and steadfastness of hope? As You deepen his faith, give him many opportunities to let others see Jesus in his responding, especially when his faith is sorely tested and his circumstances cause stress. As You deepen his love, give him the caring attention and understanding needed by his wife, maturing daughters, parents, extended family and friends. Extend his compassion and mercy to the unsaved with whom he interacts. Use his practical skills to bless those who need his expertise. Lord Jesus, let him always be Your hands and feet. As You deepen his hope, give him Your perspective on world happenings. Let him sense Your Sovereignty and unthwarted purposes always at play. Let him find rest for his soul and body in Your capable hands.
Amen.
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