A Prayer about Being Re-Parented by God
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith— that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14–19)
Heavenly Father, I bow before you today, not floundering in my fears but marinating in your mercies, not groveling in my guilt but growing in your grace. For you’re the Father from whom all fatherhood derives its name and meaning. You come to us in the gospel, adopting us to be your beloved sons and daughters and growing us to become like your most beloved Son, Jesus. What wondrous love is this, indeed!
Father, I’m in constant need of your re-parenting. I need to know you better and better as Abba, Father, the most caring, engaged, and loving parent ever. I need you to continue to free me from the illusion that my earthly parents could have ever been enough. For the wounds and holes in my childhood, bring the gospel to bear with healing and liberating power. Free me from believing I need any other parent but you in order to become a whole and healthy person.
Father, I also need you to re-parent me as a parent. You’ve already forgiven me for the years I spent parenting by fear and control and out of guilt and pride. Now I pray for the redeeming of those years. Indeed, Father, teach me what it means to parent by grace, in every season of our relationship. Write stories of restoration and renewal.
Grant me humility and vulnerability with my children. What failures do I need to own? What stories do we need to share with each other? There’s no condemnation, but there must be conviction. What will the fruit of my repentance look like? Father, be pleased to do well beyond all I can ask or imagine. I pray in Jesus’ loving name.
Amen.