A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. — Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)

Holy God:  We thank you for the gift of family.  Whether we have a home full of children or a bloodline full of cousins, aunts, and uncles, family is very important to us, like it is to you.  Thank you for the gift of family and an opportunity to build legacies of love within these families.

Thank you too for neighbours, friends and strangers to love as family.  Help us to pour out our love over those who need it most - the lonely and grieving; the hungry and homeless; the sick or dying; the broken and rejected; the captives, addicts and prisoners; the victims everywhere of abuse, neglect, war and human trafficking.  Family is wherever love is shared. Help us to build families everywhere we go.  In the name of our loving brother Jesus we pray.  Amen.