Prayers for Children

Lord,

As a frustrated parent, I pray for patience. I know there is a plan for my life and the lives of my family. Some days I have a hard time getting over the small stuff that happens during the day. It makes me more frustrated and that allows me to get angry faster. I hate being angry at my family. I hate the kind of person I become. I do not know how to not get so upset about those little things. How do I overcome?

I pray for the little ones that witness the anger and frustration of adults. They do not deserve it. Sure, they get out of control and do stupid things, but they do not deserve meanness or spite. Yes, I will get angry if my kid steals the car and wrecks it, but I still love him. I will work with him. At least, I hope so. I pray for those kids that have heard the voices so loud they ring in their ears. For the kids that flinch and jump when their parents speak. For the kids whose parents feel they do not even deserve the effort. I do not know how to do it, but I pray that You will show me and give me patience to learn how to change. We get so busy fighting the fire we have no time to teach fire safety. Help us slow down and find a way to teach our kids something better than yelling.

Take away those awful images of parents yelling at kids. Give those kids the sweetest dreams.

In Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.