Prayers for Parents

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” —1 Corinthians 13:11

There’s a little immaturity in all of us. You could even say that underneath the surface of every adult, you will find a child. That child might be scared, angry, bad-tempered, poorly behaved, or just plain playful. On the other hand, it’s also safe to say that underneath the surface of every child, you will not find an adult. Children have not yet grown to maturity, and therefore cannot be expected to think, act, or respond like grown-ups.

For instance, if your child makes a mess in the kitchen by blowing bubbles in his glass of milk and spills it on the table and floor, you could lovingly let them know why that wasn’t such a good idea. Rather than banishing the child from the kitchen and sending them to their room, you could take the opportunity to teach your child how to clean up the mess. This training helps the child to grow and to take responsibility for their actions.

The truth is, children shouldn’t be disciplined for being children. That’s why it’s so important for parents to know the difference between childishness and defiance, so they are able to respond appropriately.

Prayers for parents

• Thank God for the childhood years, even though they are messy, challenging, and exhausting at times, they are also precious and meaningful.
• Ask God to help you discern the difference between childishness and defiance and to give you wisdom and patience to respond appropriately.
• Pray that you would occasionally allow your inner child to have fun and make light of the messy times when your child is simply being a child. (This is the stuff that makes for great relationships and special memories.)