Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being a good, good Father to me. Loving me when I’ve been unlovable, pursuing me when I’ve been deplorable, and being faithful to me when I’ve been faithless. Your determination to never leave me is my anchor, my Rock of Gibraltar. When I’ve fallen, you’ve picked me up. When I’ve failed, you’ve encouraged me. When I’ve been arrogant, you patiently waited for me. You’ve outlasted my every failing, and still have loved me, with an everlasting love. I cannot fathom such great love, and I’m grateful for it.
Give me the opportunity to explain, and then exhibit this love. Help me to put your character into my behavior. Live yourself through me, enhancing my thinking, my wisdom, and my insight, so I can see how you see. Give me a long-term perspective, looking at people’s choices and then discerning their motives, so I can better minister to them. Help me learn patience and compassion for their shortcomings, as you have with mine. Let me recognize their needs and fears, so they need not be defensive. Then let me minister to them, as they feel secure, knowing I am safe, like you are safe. Let people come to know you, because they see you in me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen