Dear Father,
May my kids never have to wonder if they are special. Please enable me to love them so thoroughly and lavishly that they never feel the need to seek love in wrong or unhealthy places. I pray that they would understand that they have been created beautiful, gifted and unique.
You have repeatedly revealed to me how influential friends can be. Please help my kids to find and choose good friends—friend who will lead them toward you instead of away. I pray that they would find great peace and joy in friendships.
I confess that I am particularly worried about boys. There are so few quality boys and men in our culture. Please bring a few good ones into my kids’ lives and protect them from the ones who would use them or lead them down destructive paths.
Wisdom is a rare commodity. Like Solomon, I ask for it but in this case, not for me but rather for my kids. May they become skilled in reading people’s intentions. Give my children the ability to foresee how decisions will impact their future and may they possess the wisdom to choose the best paths.
In the midst of a busy life full of distractions, remind and help me to engage my kids. I want to put them first. Remind me to put down my phone and leave my work at the office. May the way that I engage my kids always remind them of how valuable and important they are to me and by extension, You.
You have made each of my 4 kids incredibly unique. Teach me to become a student of my kids. I want to help them discover who You have made them to be. I want to dream for them and help them run after the purposes You have for them. Reveal to me and then to them their passions and gifts. I want nothing more than for my kids to live in that sweet spot of who You’ve made them to be combined with the mission You are pursuing in the world.
I want to pray that You would keep my kid safe, but there is something I desire much more than safety. I want their lives to matter. Build into them a passionate and reckless faith. Place a burning in their heart for injustice. May the troubles of this world break their hearts to the degree that they can’t sit by and watch. I want my kids to jump in and get messy. And yet, my father’s heart pleads with You to protect them as they battle the injustice of this world.
Lastly, I pray that You would keep me close and devoted to my wife. I desperately want a healthy family for my children. I pray that our marriage would always be a source of strength and peace for my kids. May they never have to wonder if we love each other or if we will stay together.
Your Son,
Aaron
