A prayer from parents to teach teenage children

A parent's prayer for his teenager can have so many facets. Teenagers face so many obstacles and temptations every day. They are learning more about the world of adults and are taking so many steps to live there. Most parents wonder how the little boy they just held in their arms yesterday may have already become what is now almost a man or a woman. God gives parents the responsibility to raise men and women who will honor him in their lives. Here is a parent's prayer that you can say when you face questions about whether you have been a good parent doing enough for your child or if you only want the best for them:

An example prayer for parents to pray
Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Above all, thank you for this wonderful child who has taught me more about you than anything else you have done in my life. I have seen them grow in you from the day you blessed my life with them. I saw you in their eyes, in their actions and in the words they say. Now I understand better your love for each of us, that unconditional love that brings you to great joy when we honor you and to great pain when we disappoint. Now I receive the true sacrifice of your Son who dies on a cross for our sins.

So today, Lord, I am lifting you my son for your blessings and guidance. You know that teenagers aren't always easy. There are times when they challenge me to be the adult they think they are, but I know it's not time yet. There are other times when I struggle to give them the freedom to live, grow and learn because all I remember is that it was only yesterday that I was putting band aid on the scratches and a hug and a kiss were enough to make the nightmares.

Sir, there are so many ways in the world that terrify me as they enter more and more alone. There are obvious evils made by other people. The threat of physical harm from those we see in the news every night. I ask you to protect them from that, but I also ask you to protect them from the emotional damage that manifests itself in these years of great emotions. I know there are friendship relationships and encounters that will come and go, and I ask you to protect their hearts from things that will make them bitter. I ask you to help them make good decisions and to remember the things I have tried to teach them every day on how to honor you.

I also ask, Lord, that you lead their steps as they walk alone. I ask that they have your strength while peers try to lead them along paths of destruction. I ask that they have your voice both in their head and in your voice as they speak in order to honor you in everything they do and say. I ask that they feel the strength of their faith as others try to tell them that you are not real or not worth following. Lord, please let them see you as the most important thing in their life and that, regardless of the difficulties, their faith will be solid.

And Lord, I ask that patience be a good example for my son during a time when they will test every part of me. Lord, help me not to lose patience, give me the strength to resist both when I need and to let go when it is time. Guide my words and actions to guide my son your way. Let me give you the right advice and set the right rules for my son to help him be the person of God you want.

In your holy name, Amen.