Gracious Heavenly Father, as I come to you today the sins of my youth are brought to remembrance. How, even as a confessed Believer from an early age – I was not the godly child I ought to have been for many years. And how thankful I am today both for your forgiveness and for the godly parents you gave me who in patience and prayer labored through my obstreperous nature, and to faithfully display and impress your Gospel and goodness to me. What an inestimable gift.

In like kind Father – as a father myself I am conscious of how I failed in that roll, but how in all overcoming grace, you still wrought in my daughter’s heart and mind to bring her to yourself. And how she has grown into the godly, faithful and loving wife and mother she has become. THANK YOU!

So too now I pray that as a grandfather I might not provoke these dear and tender souls to wrath in any way, ever, but instead contribute what I can to their being brought up in your discipline and instruction. Make them fully your own in all their years and generations (as long as Christ should tarry) – that this line may never lack and unbroken chain of offspring who seek to know and love you with all their heart, mind soul and strength – and to both revel in and live and preach your Gospel in any walk your Providence deems best fit for your glory and their good. Make them fully your own in every way in Christ.

In any capacity where I might find myself under the employ, service or authority of others – let me serve in sincerity of heart as I would obey Christ – and not just to please them when being observed. Let me always do your will in those places from a willing heart with good will and not as unto men only – but as unto you. Whether I serve or oversee – each of us will receive what is proper given our station without partiality from your hand. And when I am in a position of power or authority, let me exercise my office without threats or heavy-handedness. Let me do so knowing full well that both they and I se4rve you equally – and that you will deal with us both with no favoritism whatever. Keep me humble.

Father, teach me by your Spirit how to appropriate all of your provisions in the spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil and all of the enemy’s agents and machinations. Help me to stand firm for your kingdom and glory.

Keep me always in the truth as it is in Christ, surrounding and securing me like a belt.

Keep my heart safe in the breastplate of righteousness.

Help me to stand steadfast and secure on the truth and safety of your Gospel.

Grant faith in trusting your perfect, holy character and Word so as to be fully protected from the enemy’s fiery darts.

Let me mind be always that of a redeemed man, never straying from the realities of Christ. ]

And help me to take your Word carefully and skillfully – for it is the very revelation of yourself in Christ Jesus.

Let your Spirit of prayer become my very breath at all times and in all places; in my heart, audibly, in private, with the saints, in pleadings, praises, thanksgivings and in seeking communion with you.

Grant me a watchful heart in prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ in all they face – and for the souls of those in my orbit who do not yet know your saving grace.

And give me Gospel boldness and ability to share, preach and proclaim your Gospel – seizing upon every opportuniy to do so as is only fitting to glorify you.

In Christ’s precious name – Amen.