Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to be a replica of you. Help me to unconditionally love my children, as you love me. Bring me closer to you, even when I resist. Overcome my reluctance toward spiritual matters, and let them naturally settle into my heart. Then help me to yearn for deeper and more profound intimacy with you. Let me be spiritually thirsty: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1).
Let my children see this, and let them desire the same thing that Dad has. Let them value spiritual things, because they see me being satisfied in you. Let me be the spiritual leader in my home and family. Then let my children see the naturalness of being spirit-led, and resist external religious pretending. Let them continue to trust in my love, so they can be certain of your love. I want to model you, so they can see true worship, and not be fooled by other things that will allure them. Put a hedge of protection around them, and let me be their – Quick Reactionary Force. If you want me to enter the fray, give me the courage to show raw compassion, and not disappointment, then help them with the aftermath. Help me to be the father — you are to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
