Father, Husband, Brother (II Samuel 3:1-21)

Lord, make me a father who glorifies You,
With care for the children You give me.
Discipling them in Your goodness and truth,
To keep them on the via Christi.

Lord, make me a husband who emulates Christ,
And sacrifice selfish desire.
With unity binding my heart to my wife,
To form an inexorable fire.

Lord, make me a brother who loves as You love,
To family, to church, and disciples.
To show to the least of our people Your love,
Stand boldly against every rival.

Parental Hymn

To the Tune of “North Americay”

Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I place my child anew,
The God who bought and saved me,
Must save my children too.
Oh Father give me wisdom,
To father as You do.
And over all my household,
Lord, let Your grace shine through.

Beneath the blood of Jesus,
My offspring all I bathe,
That by Your Holy Spirit,
Your grace will be displayed.
You called me and redeemed me,
My children too, this day,
Lord, wrap them in Your mercy,
That they may never stray.

Beneath Your holy altar,
Lord touch my lips and heart.
With holy tongues of fire,
Your wisdom, Lord, impart,
That I may teach my children,
Your word fixed in their hearts,
Then knowing and adoring,
From You they'll never part.

Beneath Your gospel promise,
I bend my faltering knee.
Lord save my little children,
As You have done for me.
O let them ever know You,
In love and purity.
Christ, hold my little children,
For all eternity.

I Think I Know How Joseph Felt

I think I know how Joseph felt,
When first he held our Lord and knelt,
Divinity held in his hands,
And he a sinful, simple man.
As Joseph looked upon that babe,
He felt unworthy and dismayed.
His failures stood out sheer and black,
Reminding him of all he lacked.
What fear at this entrusted Christ!
Yet God said Joseph would suffice.
He knew his every failing short,
Yet made him father of our Lord.
And though I do not hold the Christ,
When I look in my infant’s eyes,
I fear what Joseph understood:
That I will fail in fatherhood.
Yet Joseph had some comfort when,
He knew his son was without sin.
No failure or paternal lack,
Would turn Christ from His Father’s task.
Yet I have no such certainty,
My son and I are both guilty.
So when I fail, will he fail, too?
With both of us betraying You?
How can two failures glorify,
The name of Him who sits on High?
O Lord, anoint my shrinking heart,
And make me faithful to my part.
Fill up in me my weaknesses,
Let failings be Your witnesses,
To show my son your Son of grace,
That he will trust You all his days.