Dear God, thank You for helping me to understand that spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Whenever I feel disappointed in myself or my dad, please help me to trust in You. Pray for more grace for my dad and I – please help us to grow in all aspects, to connect with Christ as head and to build up ourselves in love.
[PAUSE: Pray and entrust to God all the needs in your dad’s life and the changes you hope to see in him.]
Heavenly Father, draw my dad and I closer to You so that we may experience more of Your grace. Help us to read the Bible regularly so that we may understand the truth, rejoicing always, to pray unceasingly, and to give thanks in all things!
Praying that You will give Daddy the blessings of heaven!
Lord, grant that wherever my dad goes, he will be able to lift up holy hands to pray, without anger or dispute in his heart. May he be filled with the Holy Spirit, always praising You with his lips and in his heart, giving thanks to You in all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:15-16, 5:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:8
The Journey Begins
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away.
Eighty-one years ago today a 9-year-old boy prayed to ask Jesus to be the Savior of his life. His mother wrote these words in a memory book: “Clair made a start today.”
Clair—my dad—has now walked with Christ for 8 decades. He marks the day when he made his decision to follow Christ as the beginning of his journey. Growing spiritually is a lifelong process—not a one-time event. So how does a new believer feed his faith and continue to grow? These are some things I observed in my dad’s life over the years.
He reads the Scriptures regularly to increase his understanding of God and made prayer a daily part of his life (1 Chron. 16:11; 1 Thess. 5:17). Bible reading and prayer help us grow closer to God and withstand temptation (Ps. 119:11; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:2). The Holy Spirit began to develop the “fruit of the Spirit” in him as he surrendered his life in faith and obedience (Gal. 5:22-23). We can display God’s love through our witness and service.
My dad’s spiritual journey continues and so does ours. What a privilege to have a relationship in which we can “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”! (2 Peter 3:18).
Reflect & Pray
Can your dad see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? How will you pray for him?
I want my heart to be in tune with God,
In every stage of life may it ring true;
I want my thoughts and words to honor Him,
To lift Him up in everything I do. —Hess
Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime.
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