A Prayer for Families

A Prayer delivered to those assembled at the West Virginia State Capitol at noon on the National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2009


Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father: who created us in Your own image and set us in families to reflect your Image and nurture one another in love:

We commend to Your continual care the homes in which our people dwell. We confess before You that in our weakness and foolishness, we have failed to love one another as You loved us and gave Your own dear Son for us.

We have failed to impart to our children the knowledge and love of You, and instead have worshipped idols of our own making, reaping failure and brokenness - exposing our children to lives of futility and debt.

Forgive us Lord in Your mercy. Grant us grace to do your will and truly reflect your image – male and female – that we may raise up a godly heritage, steward your creation faithfully and enjoy Your Presence on earth as it is in Heaven.

For Your name’s sake, Lord, strengthen and revive us. Teach us to love one another. Give us courage to face our challenges, and wisdom to impart to our children. Pour out Your compassion, that we may reach out in love to those who are in trouble, need or affliction – that they may be comforted in their distress and know You as You are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread.

Lord we name before you the lonely, the homeless, the bereaved and the oppressed, those who have lost jobs and are idle, those who have jobs and are too busy, those who struggle and those who rejoice, those who seek companions and those content to be single. Remember and shield them all in your Love.

Lord, guide us and govern us in your grace, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives, we may not forget You but may remember that we are ever walking in Your sight. Hear our supplications Lord, and grant our prayers, not as we ask in our ignorance or , nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.