A daily prayer for dads

I was attending a wedding recently and, as weddings tend to do, it had me reflecting on my marriage vows. It seemed so simple 26 years ago when the promises I was making to my bride involved just the two of us—at least that was what I naively thought at the time. I have often come back to these vows in the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of life and the seasons which God has brought us through. My wife and I have also come to appreciate more and more the faithfulness of God our heavenly Father in bringing us through those seasons—to not only grow and enrich our relationship with each other, but also our relationship with him.

God has also helped me to see there are many more relationships beyond my marriage in which I have responsibilities—fatherhood was a real eye-opener! He has blessed us with three boys, the youngest of whom is now eligible to vote (where did that time go?!). All along the way, however, I was already a son and brother and friend. Bit-by-bit, little-by-little, Jesus has been softening my heart, chipping away at my selfish tendencies and helping me realise that I need to be faithful in these relationships too. 

Most recently, God has been reminding me that before all of these relationships I am, first and foremost, his child, bought into his kingdom and family by the ransom paid by his son Jesus. Into his arms I can run and be held and cherished, especially when I am overwhelmed with responsibilities in these earthly relationships.

A part of Scripture that helps me to do this is Psalm 23: 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1–4)

As Father’s Day approaches and I reflect on the way God wants me to love my sons, and indeed the other people I am in relationship with too,  God is reminding me that my love for them ought to  look like Jesus' love for them. So, I must first come to him.

It was one of these moments of realisation several years ago that led me to write the prayer below. I printed and kept this prayer in my Bible. I use it frequently to remind myself, much like remembering my wedding vows, of my reliance on God to fulfil the vows I have made (publicly and privately) to those around me.

You will likely have different relationships in which God has placed you to be a light in the darkness; to be Jesus' representative and hold out the hope of life we have in him. Perhaps you could write your own prayer that seeks God's strength to love those around you, rooted first in the identity Jesus won for you on the cross.

A daily prayer for dads

Great God,
My existence I owe to you,
My value is found in you,
My identity as your son achieved by your Son,
secured through his death and resurrection.
With all that I am and all that I have I honour you.

As your son may my life make you smile,
as a husband let me present your daughter radiant and pure.
As a father may I lead your children in repentance,
as a friend let me share a burden and encourage with hope eternal.

In my thoughts, with my words, through my actions
may your Spirit produce fruit evident of your mercy, grace and love.
Amen.
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Andrew is married to Kim and is dad to three sons. He has been leading the ministries to Youth and Kids on team at Hunter Bible Church, Newcastle since 2011.
 

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