A Prayer of Adopted Children

Abba, Father. We begin with the word your Spirit teaches us, because we could not have dared to use it on our own. You sent your Son in the likeness of our sinful flesh, and you condemned sin in him so that there would be no condemnation left for us. We stand in that verdict today.

We confess that our minds drift toward the flesh, toward death and fear and the old slavery. Set our minds on what your Spirit desires. Give us the life and peace that come from a mind governed by you.

Thank you that we did not receive a spirit of fear but the Spirit of adoption. Thank you that your Spirit testifies with our spirits that we are your children. When we doubt it, let his witness be louder than ours.

Make us willing to share in the sufferings of Christ, since we will share in his glory. And let us walk through this Wednesday not as servants earning our keep but as heirs at home. In the name of Jesus, our elder brother, Amen.