A Prayer for Parents

 

[361 words]

Each of us know that prayer is very important. In our own lives we will pray at different times and for different reasons. We pray at meal times, when someone is having troubles in their lives (such as sickness, death or making difficult decisions).

We also know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ prayed. In the Gospel accounts — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — there are 62 instances of the word “pray” or “prayer.” Jesus prayed at the same time we pray: before making a decision, when someone was sick, when someone was distraught over the death of a loved one and before eating.

As I was preparing and thinking about this article, I came across the following prayer. Just a good reminder for each one of us who are parents, grandparents or a person who just cares about and loves kids.

“Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power. Guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that produces happiness. Reduce, I pray, the meanness and selfishness in me. And when I am out of sorts, help me, my Lord, to hold my tongue. May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgment or decisions of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and make decisions. Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests, and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm. Make me fair and just and kind. And fit me, Oh Lord, to be loved and respected by my children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Let’s remember to be in prayer…

Lance Morrisett
Hooker church of Christ
Hooker, OK

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