A PARENTS PRAYER

We recently received a submission for a bulletin article - a prayer    written by Garry C. Myers and I thought it too good not to share.    Meyers was a prolific writer and founder of Highlights for Children magazine in 1946, and he held the title of editor-in-chief until his passing in 1971. Though I do not know if Mr. Myers was a member of the Lord’s church, this beautiful prayer, filled with biblical insight, emphasizes the power of prayer in navigating the challenges of parenthood.  Remembering Philippians 4:6, 'Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,' let us embrace the spirit of this prayer and seek God's guidance in raising our children. I hope that as we strive to pray without ceasing (1Thes.5:17), we may be able to recall this prayer for ourselves or for others, knowing that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).  Enjoy

 A Parent’s Prayer

Oh, God, make me a better parent.

Help 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, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my sins against my children and to ask of them forgiveness, when I know that I have done them wrong.

May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment.

Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal. So 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. May I cease to nag; and when I am out of sorts, help me, Oh Lord, to hold my tongue.

Blind me to the little errors of my children and help me to see the good things that they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise.

Help me to treat my children as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make decisions.

Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all of their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege which I know will do them harm.

Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my  children that they will have a genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children.

With all thy gifts, Oh God, do give me calm and poise and self control.

                                                    Garry C. Myers