Prayer for Joanna

Our Father of love, we have seen the special place you have in your heart for children. In love, you offered Abraham and Sarah a son, calling him Isaac. In your covenant, you brought forth a great nation through their children and their children’s children. When the time was right, you sent your son to be born as a baby to Mary and Joseph. In him, we witnessed one who did not reject children, like those around him, but lifted them saying, “Let the children come.”

In his words and by his strength, we also come, and we offer this child and her life in dedication and service to you. We pray that one day, when the time is right, she, too, will offer herself in love and devotion to you.

We ask not only for her but also for us. As you have offered yourself to us as our loving father, we now offer ourselves to her as her loving parents.

May she learn to walk in love by the way we treat others.

May she learn to show grace by the way we give to others.

May she learn to be merciful by the way we forgive each other.

May she learn to walk in faith by the way we walk with you each day.

Though we have not done so perfectly, we are learning these things in the way of your son. May she, also, take up his way, and in his way, see you, her father.

Long ago, Joanna, with the other women, first brought news of the resurrection to the apostles, and the world was changed forever. Teach our Joanna Frances to keep faith with them, that her witness may be as bold, her love as deep, and her faith as true.

Receive this prayer, as we offer our child and ourselves to you. In the name of your son, Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.