Prayer

Dear Holy and Perfect God,

I am thankful today for so much. I am thankful for the amazing man that my husband is. Thank you that he cares for me, that he challenges me, and that he is a devoted and loving father. I thank you for my family, both that which I was born into and that which I married into. Thank you that they are supportive, even when I am and have been undeserving of their support. Help me extend the grace and acceptance I have experienced in this context to others. Thank you for the community you've put around us to help us walk when we are weary:for this wonderful "extended family" you've given us. It gives me such peace to know that whatever happens, my family will be okay because of this community who also seeks you first.

Thank you for all of my children. Thank you for designing them so specifically and for letting us see the amazing people they already are inside. Thank you for blessing us and teaching us about who you are through them. They make my spirit smile, and I'm so glad that you sent them to me.

Thank you for the challenges in our lives. Lord, I believe that you are the changer of hearts, the healer of all illness, the sovereign God over all life, and I believe that you could prevent hard things from ever happening to your people. Though you don't always do this, I believe that you are good and that your promises are true, and for that, I'm willing to endure whatever you would have me endure. Thank you for using the hard moments to bring us closer to you; thank you for all of the good things that remain, regardless. Thank you for your sacrifice; help us live in that every day.

Amen.