A Parent's Prayer

Lord, today I thank you for parenting me;

 for far surpassing every expectation,

  fairly or unfairly,

placed upon the shoulders of my earthly parents.

You really have been my perfect Father,

 yes, my perfect Mother.

Your Word tells me that you are the father to the fatherless

and that we can call you Abba, or Papa.

You have described yourself as the One who will comfort us

 like a mother comforts. 

As we were made in your image—male and female you created us— 

I am thankful that the very best traits of the ones we call Mom and Dad

are all wrapped up in who you are.

Long before my parents’ love for each other conceived me,

You had ordained that I should live and grow up before You,

to show forth, in some faint way, the very glory and loveliness of You.                                                                            

I think of You today as the perfect parent

(though no one aspect of your character begins to define who You really are),

 because today I feel like a most imperfect parent.

I struggle with helping my children to rely less on me and more on You, 

with encouraging them to make wise choices

flowing out of a sure and secure relationship with you,

their Master and Designer.                                                                                                                                      

You who are the flawless One, full of grace and truth,

Direct me as their “interim parent,” in whatever stage they may be,

 to know when Truth is best applied, and, perhaps more often,

when Grace just fits.

Remind me today, Lord, of the wondrous fact that as You rule the universe,

Your thoughts toward me—toward my issues—

 are as countless as the sands of the sea?

And that my precious ones are no less precious to You

 than anyone else’s in all the world,

for You, indeed, parent us all.

I trust You today, Lord…

and await further instructions.

tad