Five Points Blog
Child Dedication - a Precious Gift & Reminder
- Joe Slezak
- May 05, 2011
I was looking through some old mementos the other day and uncovered a very precious gift from the Lord. This gift came from the heart of my God - through the heart and pen of a beloved brother (Pastor Dan) - and into my very own heart. I'm quite sure many of you will find your own hearts welling up in joy, gratitude, a bit of sadness, but undeniable worship of our gracious and sovereign Lord!
As we approach the ceremony of Child Dedication this Sunday - read this precious gift for yourself. And worship our God as you consider the heart of this prayer for us and our children. Here it is:
Prayer of Dedication
Five Points Community Church
May 12, 2002
Dear Father of All Sovereign Joy:
Before the foundations of the earth You ordained that these beloved ones, these parents, would find Your love in each other and make a covenant of oneness in marriage and this child, (child’s name), would be given as a gift from Your hand. For all of us who have been called by You to believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ, we stand as Your children…...gifts given by You to Your beloved Son. We are Your family and so we love to be, for You are our Father and Your Son, our Savior, is the life of our families.
I stand before You, our great God and Savior, to represent these parents as they come before You to make this solemn vow; to pursue with all their heart and soul and mind Your glory in the lives of their children, to teach them of Christ and His glorious gospel, to live with each other in the love You demonstrated on the cross, and to seek to be most satisfied with all that You are for them in Christ alone.
Father, protect them from the evil one and the idols of the age. Grant them such love for the Christ and His truth that their homes are filled with Your glory. Love them, Holy Father, and do not forsake Your own. Call these little ones to love the Christ, repent of their sin, believe in His name, love His righteousness, and find their highest joy in Christ alone. May they bring honor and joy to their parents. And may these parents gladly seek Your desires for the lives of these children. Would that You highly esteem even one to be used in a life given to Your service in the mission of the kingdom.
Oh gracious God, keep these dear ones from illness and tragedy, calamity of soul, shipwreck of faith, and untimely death. May these families live long together, enjoying Your love and the gift that they are to each other…but all these requests submissive to this end; Your glory alone. Oh God, be their Sovereign Joy…their greatest satisfaction of soul...for in this will You be most glorified. So in life and in death and forever, may their lives be to the praise of Your glory. Oh God hear our prayer, for the days are evil, these young lives are entrusted to Your holy purposes and care, and the honor of Your name hangs in the balance. Father, glorify Your name for their good always and Your holy joy.
Now may your grace and peace, Your love and forgiveness, Your sovereign joy be ours.
Amen.