A Prayer About Family

A prayer about Family - Accepting my brothers and sisters

HEAVENLY FATHER,

I am blessed to call you “Father.” And that is exactly who you are to me. I am born again and adopted, a member of your family. You told the disciples to pray “Our Father in heaven,” and I recite that phrase quickly when I pray the Lord’s Prayer. But this morning I was considering the implications of that personal address that I easily use. If you truly are my Father, then you have every right to introduce me to the rest of the family, to tell me who my brothers and sisters are. I don’t get to choose—not my prerogative. That’s a challenge for me, I confess, because I can name several fellow believers (many who are more devout that I) whom I don’t like. They get on my nerves because of personality traits, or we bicker over any number of issues—in the church and out. Forgive me, dear Father. Soften my heart toward all the members of my spiritual family, and show me how to accept and love them.

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16