A Prayer About the Heart and Habits of the Gospel
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79
Merciful, heavenly Father, I often forget about the other very special baby you promised and delivered in the Advent story, John the Baptist-the forerunner, the way-maker, the friend of the Bridegroom. Yet his birth, like his life, is such a testimony to the heart and habits of the gospel. Oh to be a man like John… whose joy was to decrease as Jesus grew bigger and bigger in his heart and life… and oh, to be a parent like Zechariah who only wants what you want for our children and grandchildren…
Merciful, heavenly Father, I often forget about the other very special baby you promised and delivered in the Advent story, John the Baptist-the forerunner, the way-maker, the friend of the Bridegroom. Yet his birth, like his life, is such a testimony to the heart and habits of the gospel. Oh to be a man like John… whose joy was to decrease as Jesus grew bigger and bigger in his heart and life… and oh, to be a parent like Zechariah who only wants what you want for our children and grandchildren…
What more could a father, like Zechariah, desire for his son than for him to be a powerful and passionate witness to Jesus, the Messiah-the one in whom we experience your tender mercy and full forgiveness? There needed to be only one John the Baptist, and yet there is such an going need for many other men and women who would live and love like him.
What better story could we write, what other story would we write for our children than for them to be a means by which the rising sun of grace would bring the light of the gospel to the dark places and the broken people in our community, culture and in your world?
Oh Father, we lift our children and grandchildren to you. For those who don’t know you, in light of your covenant promises, we ask you to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Rescue them from religion and non-religion. For those who do know you, we pray that the gospel would go deeper and deeper into their hearts… assuring them of your tender mercies and sufficient grace… transforming them into the likeness of Jesus… freeing them for a life of living, loving and serving in your church and kingdom…
Our prayer for our children and grandchildren, is the same prayer we offer for ourselves… no matter what gifts and vocation you have given any of us. Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, guide us into the heart and habits of the gospel… guide our feet more surely onto the path of peace… lead us deeper into the ways of shalom… into your commitment, Jesus, to make all things new. So very Amen, we pray, in your name and for your glory.