An Advent prayer for our children and grandchildren

Scotty Smith, founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tenn., posted the following prayer befitting Advent Dec. 10 on his blog at The Gospel Coalition website:

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:76-79

Heavenly Father, I often forget about the other special baby promised and delivered in the Advent story: John the Baptist — the forerunner, the way-maker, the friend of the bridegroom. His birth and life are such a testimony to your faithfulness and the ways of the gospel.

Father, make me a man like John — someone who follows and serves Jesus with such humility and joy. May I too find great delight in decreasing, if it will lead to the increasing of Jesus’ fame in my community (John 3:30). May I too be as honest as John was, when he experienced a painful season of confusion and doubt (John 7:18-34). I praise you for the beauty and reality of John’s life and witness.

Father, make me a parent like John’s father, Zechariah. Help me to want only what You want for my children and grandchildren. Forgive me when my dreams and agenda for my kids are way too small; way too creature-comfort and safety oriented; way too this world colored and anchored. What better story could we write . . . what other story would we choose than for our children to live by the grace of Jesus for the glory of Jesus?

Father, we lift our children and grandchildren to You. For those who have already come to know Jesus, we pray that the gospel would go deeper and deeper into their hearts — assuring them of Your tender mercies and sufficient grace; transforming them into the likeness of Jesus; and freeing them for a life of worship, caring, and serving, in Your church and kingdom.

For those who have yet to discover the salvation and safe haven of grace, may Your Spirit be mightily at work in their hearts and stories. Arrange circumstances of Your choosing that will help them discover their need of Jesus, the beauty of Jesus and the love of Jesus. . . . [W]e ask you to bring our kids to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Enthrall them with Jesus’ kindness and kingdom.

Father, we offer the same prayer for ourselves that we offer for our kids. During this very Advent season, restore to us the joy of Your salvation; the sanity of the gospel; and great delight in worshiping and serving only You. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.