A Christmas Day prayer for Christian parents

Thank you 

Children are a gift from the Lord; 
    they are a reward from him. 
Children born to a young man 
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. 
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! 
    He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. 

Psalms 127: 3-5

Thank you, God, for our children. As we remember the coming of Jesus, this Christmas, born as a child, we thank you not only for the gift of the saviour child but also the gift of our own children too. 

We thank you for the joy they bring us, for what we learn from them, for the way that you use them to mould us more into the likeness of your Son, Jesus. 

Sorry 

Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. 

Ephesians 6:4 

Heavenly father, forgive us for when we have treated our children in the wrong way. For when we have been harsh, unfair and inconsistent, please forgive us for when we have not brought them to you in prayer, taught them your ways, been compassionate and modelled faith in you. 

Please 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

Matthew 28: 19-20 

Lord, help us to raise our children in your instruction and day by day model faith in Jesus to them in the everyday things of life. Help us to point them to you in good times and in bad. Help us please, heavenly father, to show them what it means to follow you and live dependently on our loving heavenly father who has only good gifts to give them. Help us Holy Spirit to do this in your power and for the glory of the Father. 

Amen.