A Prayer For A Child’s Birthday

A Prayer for a Child’s Birthday

O God, Creator of time

And Creator of us,

For this child we pray.

We remember the day

We welcomed them into our hearts,

The way they felt in our arms,

And how life together fell into place just so.

O God, we light the candles,

Our faces aglow around the table,

And we sing together,

Joining in a melody of memories

And hopes for the future.

For this child we pray

That as the years go by, they will know

They are loved and wanted and treasured

Just as You made them.

May they feel secure in their place in the world,

And as their body and mind grow,

Whisper in their heart Your great love.

We look at the carousel of snapshots

Held tightly in our hands

And ache for our babies to be ours forever.

But we know, Lord,

That while we love in a way only a parent can,

Deeper and wider than we ever dreamed,

Our children are not ours at all.

They are Yours, Lord,

And Yours alone.

In the coming year,

May our child feel the sun upon their face,

And may they know what it is to sit in the dark

So that they may grow in wisdom.

May they wipe the sweat of justice from their brow,

And may they know what it is to ask forgiveness

So that they may grow in mercy.

May they be surrounded by kindness and gentleness,

And may they know what it is to be patient

So they may grow in grace for others.

O God, on this birthday,

Bless and keep this child.

May they always hold the wonder of youth within their soul.

May they always grow more into the person

You’ve created them to be.

May they walk in Your goodness

And stand in Your truth.

May they feel the love that swirls all around them

And hangs in the air and fills their lungs

As they close their eyes to make a wish.

For this child we pray:

Be with them as they embark

On the adventure of the coming year.

Grant them holy mischief and sacred shenanigans,

And permit them to rest.

When they stumble,

May they know Your healing touch.

Be with them as they enter new chapters,

And when they feel their story taking an unexpected turn,

May they know that You never stop writing.

For this child we pray

And ask that You would go before them

So that goodness and mercy

Will follow them all the days of their life.

Luke 10:30-37; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 23:6