A Father's Prayer.
One time, or another, a parent feels out on a limb, out matched, or outfoxed by his child. Okay, or her child, but as a father I can only speak for male experience. Anyway, Job would pale when faced with modern teens which would more then test his patience. I think most of us wish we had the patience of Job, but you have to consider what he went through. True, Job suffered greatly, however nowhere does it mention living with a teenager. I guess we all have to bear those on our own. In light of that I offer the following:
Lord, help me endure.
When my child comes home late from
school, work, a friend's, the library
help me forbear.
When they leave things on the floor
their clothes, food, food wrappers, school things
help me forbear.
When they argue my every logically thought out position
with stubbornness, illogic, and selfishness
help me forbear.
When they spend hours playing video games
loud music, or mind games
help me forbear.
Don't let me be unreasonable
demanding, or pigheaded.
Don't let my only stance
be :"Because I said so.", or
"Do as I say, not as I do."
Let me not go on endlessly about
"When I was your age",
or "What thing were like when I was growing up."
Help me Lord
to listen, to think on my feet, to have faith,
and love beyond endurance.
Help me Lord
to trust my child,
to believe in them,
to not belittle them,
or their dreams.
To encourage them.
To love them when others can't,
or won't.
To remember in their life
what it was like at their age.
And most of all Lord;
help me be more like you.
Loving my children above life itself.
To give to them freely.
To keep my mouth shut
when I don't want to do so.
To keep my hands off
and let them make their mistakes,
to fall, to fail, to get hurt,
and pick themself up.
Let me offer my help when needed,
but remember they are learning.
To be what they need.
In short, Lord, make me a good parent.
One who leads by Your ways,
by Your Book.
With Love.
Amen
