As I nurse my son to sleep for his nap each day, I pray with a pattern given by Jesus himself: The Lord's Prayer. Each line reminds me of things I want to cover. "Hallowed be thy Name" reminds me to praise God. "Forgive us our trespasses" gives me the opportunity to confess my sins. "Deliver us from evil" has me praying for loved ones who are ill. You get the idea.
It's occurred to me that I could use this entire prayer as a way to direct my prayers for my child (or anyone else, for that matter):
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thank you for fashioning Peter in my womb. Thank you for providing us with a child. You are the Creator, the Giver of Life, the Provider.
Thy kingdom come,
May your kingdom come in Peter's heart. May your kingdom come in the life of his future spouse. Let them know what it means to worship and serve you as King.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven,
Help Tom and I to do your will as parents, so that Peter can do your will as a child. Guide us all and give us wisdom. Teach us to obey.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Provide Peter with the things he needs, from a nutritious diet to learning experiences to quality sleep. Most of all, give him a hunger for the Bread of Life.
Forgive us our trespasses,
Help Peter to learn right from wrong, so that he will know the fruit of obedience and the joys of forgiveness.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Forgive me for the ways that I have trespassed against Peter. Forgive me for being impatient, for being quick to anger, and for the times I am selfish at his expense.
Lead us not into temptation,
Provide distractions for Peter when he is faced with things he can't have.
But deliver us from evil,
Let Peter's feet run to that which is good, and protect him from illness, injury, and harm.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
Thank you for reminding me that it is your kingdom, not mine; your power, not mine; your glory, not mine-- that will be the salvation of Peter.
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2 comments:
This was beautiful and brought me to tears. Thank you for the inspiration.
I just found your blog looking for recycled wool covers, and saw this. Beautiful prayer model to follow for our children!
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