Being a parent is hard, really hard, exhausting, and messy. In one of my deep searches I came across this wonderful prayer. It is from https://sprittibee.com/2012/12/revised-parents-prayer.html. She found this prayer her mother Shannon wrote and tucked away in a drawer. The original can be found in the link above. Below I rewrote the prayer to include both parents where hers is written in first person. I hope it brings you peace and opens your eyes as it did mine when I found it.
Father in heaven, You are the perfect Father. Thank You for a beautiful picture of what parenthood looks like; not harsh, yet commanding respect. Not demanding, yet expectant of obedience. Not irrational so as to exasperate Your children. Always loving, always kind, always gracious. Give us Your heart toward our children. Make him a man and me a woman who communicate unconditional love to our children. May they always know their father and I love them and do all we do for their good. Help us be patient with them. Show us Your grace, so we can extend grace to our offspring. When we get impatient, help us rise above the immediate circumstances speaking and acting in ways we will not regret. Help us speak with calmness and authority, not displaying anger to them, making them doubt our love for them. Father, show ___ and I where we can cultivate a relationship with each child. I pray we will not be cold, harsh, uninterested, undependable, or neglectful. May we never provoke our children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admiration of You, Lord. (Eph. 6:4) Where we may feel inadequate to teach them Your ways, give us words to speak. Help us communicate those words to them. Knowing their father and I love You, the Almighty Father, will have great impact on their lives. Give ___and I hearts pliable to Your will, so we can lead our children and family in Your will. Help us train up our children in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from You. (Pr.22:6) Father, we know You discipline those You love. (Pr.3:12) You do it with great love, mercy and to further growth in us. When disciplining our children is in order, help ___ and I do it calmly, justly and lovingly, never in anger or irritation. Help us be a fair judge, not dealing with them in haste or with harsh words. Give them full reconciliation afterwards, letting the children know of our unconditional love. Being a good father and mother is something we strive to be every day. Again I pray You will give us Your heart toward our children; soft, gentle, dependable, patient and communicative. Help us see the world as our children do, and so, extend grace and understanding. Let us not grow slack or uninterested in their lives. Help ___ and I be physically and emotionally present. May our children never doubt our love for them. Father, I pray you will teach us, guide us, and direct our paths in this role of parenthood. May it be one of great fulfillment to us, and when we are old and gray we can rest, knowing we did as You directed, leaving a rich spiritual inheritance for our children. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen
