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Christina Fox

A Heart Set Free
  • Blog
  • About
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  • Writing
  • Like Our Father
  • The Great Big Sad
  • Who Are You?
Recent Posts
A Life Update
Feb 4, 2025
A Life Update
Feb 4, 2025
Feb 4, 2025
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Jul 2, 2024
Available Now: Who Are You?
Jul 2, 2024
Jul 2, 2024
Encouragement for Parents When Life Mutes Us
May 16, 2024
Encouragement for Parents When Life Mutes Us
May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
Coming Soon: Who Are You?
Apr 4, 2024
Coming Soon: Who Are You?
Apr 4, 2024
Apr 4, 2024
Caring for Hurting Women in the Church
Jan 30, 2024
Caring for Hurting Women in the Church
Jan 30, 2024
Jan 30, 2024
Four Truths to Remember in 2024
Jan 2, 2024
Four Truths to Remember in 2024
Jan 2, 2024
Jan 2, 2024
The Waiting of Advent
Dec 5, 2023
The Waiting of Advent
Dec 5, 2023
Dec 5, 2023
The Wonder of God's Faithfulness
Nov 21, 2023
The Wonder of God's Faithfulness
Nov 21, 2023
Nov 21, 2023
When We Speak the Gospel to One Another
Oct 24, 2023
When We Speak the Gospel to One Another
Oct 24, 2023
Oct 24, 2023
When God Asks A Question
Oct 3, 2023
When God Asks A Question
Oct 3, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
The Encouragement We Really Need
Sep 19, 2023
The Encouragement We Really Need
Sep 19, 2023
Sep 19, 2023
The Great Big Sad: Available Now
Sep 12, 2023
The Great Big Sad: Available Now
Sep 12, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
Keep the Heart
Sep 5, 2023
Keep the Heart
Sep 5, 2023
Sep 5, 2023
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Aug 24, 2023
Join the Launch Team for The Great Big Sad
Aug 24, 2023
Aug 24, 2023
Coming Soon: The Great Big Sad
Aug 1, 2023
Coming Soon: The Great Big Sad
Aug 1, 2023
Aug 1, 2023

A Parent's Prayer

March 29, 2022

As a parent, it seems I always have some pressing concern for my children—those concerns which keep me up at night and follow me around like a shadow all throughout the day. Sometimes, it’s an unanswered question about parenting for which I’m desperate to know what to do. Or I may have a difficult decision to make regarding one of my kids and don’t know which way to turn. It seems I always have worries and cares for them that I long to see resolved like those regarding their health, relationships, education, or their future.

I imagine you have concerns and cares for your children as well. In my book, Like Our Father: How God Parents Us and Why That Matters for Our Parenting, I look to our Father in heaven for wisdom and guidance about all those concerns, questions, and cares we have for our children. I look at the ways he perfectly parents us and what we can learn from him in parenting our own children.

One of the things I encourage readers to do is to bring all their cares to their Father in heaven. At the end of each chapter, I provide a prayer for parents to pray. So what are your concerns for your children today? What questions loom at the front of your mind each day? What burdens do you bear regarding your children? Your Father in heaven invites you to bring all those cares before him in prayer.

A Parent’s Prayer

Father in heaven,

What a privilege it is to come before you in prayer! It means I am your child and you are my Father. I am your beloved and an heir of your kingdom. I am no longer an orphan but have been brought into your family and given a forever home with you. Your word tells me that you know all the cares of my heart before I even do, yet you invite me to bring them to you in prayer. I can’t help but think of my own children coming to me, asking for my help, and how glad I am to help them and provide for their needs.

You are my perfect Father, loving me before time began. You show me what a parent does for his or her children. You provide for all my needs. You set boundaries for me and teach me the way of righteousness. You discipline me for my good. You are patient and kind with me. You are consistent in all your ways toward me. In all these ways and more, you care for me as your child. Help me to learn from you what it looks like to raise my own children. As I parent them, I pray they would see you through my actions and responses. I pray my parenting would show them who you are as their perfect Father.

Forgive me for putting me hope and trust in parenting methods and strategies to make my parenting “work.” While these strategies can be and often are helpful, when I trust in them instead of you, my heart turns from you. I yield my heart to those lesser things, looking for them to make my life better, instead of you—my source of life. Forgive me for not loving my family the way you have loved me. I am easily frustrated and impatient. I am prone to expect things of my children I wouldn’t even expect of myself. Forgive me for forgetting that my children need the same grace I need—the grace you’ve provided through Jesus Christ. Help me to keep the gospel at the forefront of my mind and heart as I parent my children.

The Bible tells me you are the source of all wisdom. I come to you with many questions about raising my children. How do I…? Every day there are decisions to be made. I often feel ill-equipped in my parenting and just don’t know what to do. I need your wisdom to know how to raise my children—what to teach them, how to correct them, the best ways to respond to them, and how to love them well. Father, please help me as I seek to raise them in a way that honors you. Grant me the wisdom only you can give.

I long for my children to know you as their Father. I know you love them more than I ever could; you love them with a perfect love. Help me to trust you and your work in their lives. May they never know a day when they did not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. May they grow and mature into godly young adults who live for you and your glory. Protect their minds and hearts from evil all their days.

Please hear this prayer for my parenting. I cling to your promise in 2 Peter 1, that you given me “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (v.3). Grant me all I need to parent for your glory.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

*Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash

In Like Our Father Tags prayer, parenting, worries, Like Our Father
← Coming Soon: God Hears Your HeartOn Motherhood, Memories, and How Quickly the Present Becomes the Past →

About Christina

I'm so glad you are here! I'm Christina and this is a place where I desire to make much of Jesus and magnify the gospel of grace. Will you join me?
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Other Places You'll find me


Desiring God
For the Family
Revive Our Hearts
The Gospel Coalition
enCourage Women's Ministry Blog
Ligonier Ministries
The ERLC
Rooted Ministry
 
Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Servants of Grace
Beautiful Christian Life
Core Christianity

 


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I’m in the mountains of Virginia this weekend, walking through the Psalms of Lament with the lovely women of Trinity Pres.
I’m in the mountains of Virginia this weekend, walking through the Psalms of Lament with the lovely women of Trinity Pres.
I love endorsing books for fellow writing friends. And not just because I get new books to add to my shelves! 😊 I know the labor involved in bringing a book into the world and want to encourage my friends in their efforts. Here are two that just arr
I love endorsing books for fellow writing friends. And not just because I get new books to add to my shelves! 😊 I know the labor involved in bringing a book into the world and want to encourage my friends in their efforts. Here are two that just arrived in the mail. From my endorsement of When Parents Feel Like Failures: “As a parent, I have often felt like a failure. I’ve felt weighed down by my sinful responses to my children, my weaknesses, my limitations, and countless regrets. But Lauren’s new book, When Parents Feel Like Failures, is a fresh breath of gospel encouragement that speaks right to my soul. She reminds me of my Father’s love and my Savior’s mercy and grace. She reminds me that Jesus does indeed quiet my distressed heart with his love. When Parents Feel Like Failures is a book for all parents. Read it and be encouraged.” From my endorsement of Postpartum Depression: “I experienced the darkness of postpartum depression after both my sons were born and this is the resource I needed to read. This mini-book is gentle and compassionate, gospel-laced and hope-filled. It looks at the struggle and its effects on the whole person both body and soul. Readers will be encouraged to take their sorrows to the Lord in prayer and search his Word for the life-giving promises that are made real in Christ. If you or someone you know is battling postpartum depression, read this mini-book and talk about it with a trusted counselor or friend.”
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I’m in Richmond this weekend, talking about relationships in the church at Sycamore Pres. I love meeting my sisters in Christ!
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Senior night was a blast!
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I’m sure it will come as no surprise to those who know us best, but we have another Scot in the family! We are excited that our youngest will be at Covenant College next year. #wearethescots #newscot
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I love this new book by @sarahpwalton! It’s a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son and helps parents talk with their children about the things we might chase after that only leave us empty and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
I found fall in New Jersey! I’m here speaking to the women of The Church Gathered and Scattered about the fear of the Lord. They’ve been so welcoming and hospitable. It’s a joy to connect with my sisters in the Lord
I found fall in New Jersey! I’m here speaking to the women of The Church Gathered and Scattered about the fear of the Lord. They’ve been so welcoming and hospitable. It’s a joy to connect with my sisters in the Lord
I love getting new books in the mail from writing friends! Betsy’s book on peer pressure will help young children turn to Jesus in the midst of temptations they face from peers. The illustrations are engaging, the story relatable and Christ cen
I love getting new books in the mail from writing friends! Betsy’s book on peer pressure will help young children turn to Jesus in the midst of temptations they face from peers. The illustrations are engaging, the story relatable and Christ centered. Lynne’s book invites us into the stories of those who have endured suffering and found Christ to be their refuge. She knows well the storms of life and is a compassionate companion to journey with. Happy reading!
This new devotional book based on Colossians helps readers see their secure identity in Christ. Congrats to @aimeejosephwrites on writing this beautiful, encouraging book!
This new devotional book based on Colossians helps readers see their secure identity in Christ. Congrats to @aimeejosephwrites on writing this beautiful, encouraging book!
I’m in Tacoma this weekend for a work related event. Beautiful place to catch up with Covenant College alumni!
I’m in Tacoma this weekend for a work related event. Beautiful place to catch up with Covenant College alumni!
I’m in the mountains of Virginia this weekend, walking through the Psalms of Lament with the lovely women of Trinity Pres. I love endorsing books for fellow writing friends. And not just because I get new books to add to my shelves! 😊 I know the labor involved in bringing a book into the world and want to encourage my friends in their efforts. Here are two that just arr I’m in Richmond this weekend, talking about relationships in the church at Sycamore Pres. I love meeting my sisters in Christ! Senior night was a blast! I’m sure it will come as no surprise to those who know us best, but we have another Scot in the family! We are excited that our youngest will be at Covenant College next year. #wearethescots #newscot I love this new book by @sarahpwalton! It’s a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son and helps parents talk with their children about the things we might chase after that only leave us empty and the hope found in Jesus Christ. I found fall in New Jersey! I’m here speaking to the women of The Church Gathered and Scattered about the fear of the Lord. They’ve been so welcoming and hospitable. It’s a joy to connect with my sisters in the Lord I love getting new books in the mail from writing friends! Betsy’s book on peer pressure will help young children turn to Jesus in the midst of temptations they face from peers. The illustrations are engaging, the story relatable and Christ cen This new devotional book based on Colossians helps readers see their secure identity in Christ. Congrats to @aimeejosephwrites on writing this beautiful, encouraging book! I’m in Tacoma this weekend for a work related event. Beautiful place to catch up with Covenant College alumni!

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