A Prayer for Relationships

Last week one of our members, Kirsten Faircloth's, grandmother passed away. Today as I was going through some papers that collect on my desk, I ran across her grandmothers memorial program. I sat down for a moment to reflect on that, and when I turned to the back page there was printed a prayer that was written by her grandfather and kept in his Bible. I was so moved by this that I wanted to share it with the class. After all our class is really a group of relationships working collectively to lead better lives for the sake of Christ. I know God placed this in my hands and I hope it will bless you as well.

A Prayer for Relationships

O God, Our Father

Grant that we shall be so closely related to Thee that our relationships with one another will be strenghtened. Let our bearing toward one another arise out of our life in Christ Jesus. Enable us to help one another carry their heavy loads and in this way fulfill Thy law.
-May parents and children experience this type of relationship.
-May husbands and wives be generous to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as Thou has forgiven us.
-May those of us who are members of the Christian fellowship--the household of faith--work for the good of all. May our love for one another be of such quality that there shall be no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance.

Wilt thou refresh our sense of need for one another and let us all re-evaluate our dependence upon Thee. Thou art our refuge and strength, our very present help.

-To Thee we owe our life and breath and all the joys we have.
-To Thee we look for salvation that is enduring.
-In Thee we discover our hope.

Thou alone canst forgive all our iniquities and redeem our lives from destruction. Already Thou has crowned us with loving kindness and tender mercies, and we beseech Thee to enable us to have among ourselves that mind which is also in Christ.

We pray in the name that is above every name, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

D. Swan Haworth
Handwritten Prayer kept in his personal Bible