A Parent`s Prayer
Oh 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.
Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal. And guide
me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do
that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I`m out of sorts
help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
May I ever be mindful that my children are children and
I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.
Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves
and to 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, O Lord, to be
loved and respected and imitated by my children.
Amen