“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.” Isa. 54:13; “I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” Isa. 44:3
Heavenly Father, thank you for the stunning hope these passages give us about our “offspring.” Continue to expose and free us from the faith-less, grace-less, law-heavy ways we parent (and grand-parent).
Free us from over-stressing about our kids, and under-believing your promises. To parent is to trust in your covenant faithfulness, not sign up for a pass/fail class in life.
Forgive us for being more anxious than loving—more likely to scorecard and correct, than pray and trust. Only your Spirit can make the Gospel beautiful and believable to anyone—including our children. Saul of Tarsus fell under the weight of your grace, and became Paul the apostle. We have no need for apostolic children. We simply want our kids to know and love you.
How arrogant to assume our “good parenting” accounts for the best in our children. And what a pernicious lie to believe our imperfect parenting is the sole reason for our kids’ poorest choices in life.
Since our kids are your inheritance, Father, teach us how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners—as hopeful encouragers, not as self-appointed sheriffs. Shaming never wins, but you tell us, “love never fails.”
Father however you choose, may our kids (and grands) smell your grace, not our disappointment, when they are with us. Grant us quick repentances when we fail them. Keep teaching us how to love them “in line with the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:14). So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ faithful and powerful name.