“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Father, how did the disciples families respond to their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers leaving all that was ‘normal’ to follow Jesus? What kind of fear and anger flooded their minds? Lord, were they distraught at the idea that these men had left the conventions of the day and moved into the new assurance that was Jesus?
Lord, I surrender all. Father, I surrender fear. I surrender control. I surrender agendas. I surrender my wife. I surrender my children. I surrender all desires, objectives, wants, needs.
What am I afraid of? Father, as our kids seek their own personal and intimate relationship with you, I pray and petition on their behalf. Lord, as one seeks relationship through Orthodoxy, I surrender and trust you are the good, good Father. As one holds tightly to you through worship, praise and emotion, I surrender and trust that you are the good, good Father. As one grows into the identity you have for them, I surrender and trust that you are the good, good Father.
Lord, I ask that you guide me and prevent me from messing up what you have so wonderfully made. Lord, give me the gift of understanding and release that surrenders my wife, our kids and all that I hold precious to you, Father.
God, was what you asked of the disciples families met with joy and acceptance or the sin of doubt, rejection and discouragement? Or, Father, was the calling on their family member’s life greater than personal wants?
Father, I know that all that I have are yours. I know that all that is me is held by you. I ask that you remove doubt, every desire, every agenda that distances me from you. Father, I pray that my family whom you have entrusted to me will seek, see and rest in the truth that is you.
Father, I pray for bold faith that causes me to choose identity over doubt. Surrender fear for purpose. Choose joy over agenda. Watch with wonder at the things you are doing in and through our kids. Father, cause me to honor my wife over all others because she is deserving of my respect and admiration.
To you, Father, be all glory, honor and praise this day.