Everyday Prayers For Parents

Today I’m sharing a prayer titled “A Prayer About Gospel Parenting” from Scotty Smith’s book, Everyday Prayers: 365 Days to a Gospel-Centered Faith. I’ve occasionally posted parts of prayers from this book on Facebook. Today, I decided to share this entire prayer.

I can’t imagine parenting without praying. And I love his emphasis on gospel parenting. What if this was a goal, emphasis, and priority this year?

This line caused me to audibly gasp: “Teach us – teach me – how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners.” I wonder what parts of the prayer will most minister to you. Let me know.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Psalm 127:1-3

Heavenly Father, it’s a joy to address you today as the architect and builder of your own house – including the household of faith and my children’s place in your family.

As I look back over the years of my pragmatic parenting, I’m saddened, but I am also gladdened, for you’ve always been faithful to your covenant love, even when I was overbearing and underbelieving. The move from parenting by grit to parenting by grace has been a fitful but fruitful journey. Take me deeper; take me further.

You’ve rescued me from parental “laboring in vain” – assuming a burden you never intended parents to bear. Father, only you can reveal the glory and grace of Jesus to our children. Only you can give anyone a new heart. You’ve called us to parent as an act of worship – to parent “as unto you,” not as a way of saving face, making a name for ourselves, or proving our worthiness of your love.

Oh, the arrogant pride of thinking that by my “good parenting” I can take credit for what you alone have graciously done in the lives of my children. Oh, the arrogant unbelief of assuming that by my “bad parenting” I’ve forever limited what you will be able to accomplish in the future. Oh, the undue pressure our children must feel when we parent more out of our fear and pride than by your love and grace.

Since our children and grandchildren are your inheritance, father, teach us – teach me – how to care for them as humble stewards, not as anxious owners. More than anything else, show us how to parent and grandparent in a way that best reveals the unsearchable riches of Jesus in the gospel. Give us quick repentances and observable kindnesses. Convict me quickly and surely when I do not relate to your covenant children “in line with the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14). I pray in Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

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God has used this book to mature my faith. I read a prayer daily. If you want to join me, you can find the book here.