Parenting Children - September 29, 2012

Day 46 - Praying for our children

• never too soon to start (see the account of John the Baptist in the womb in Luke 1:44, The Bible)
• never too late to start (see the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15: 11-24, The Bible)
• turn fears and longings into prayers
• when to pray:

o with them before they go to sleep
o teaching them to pray (thank you, sorry, please)
o on our own
o with others
o in traffic jams or when cleaning up or ironing
• when prompted (often at moments of potential danger or temptation for our child)
• everyday

what to pray for:
• friendships
• schools
• their health
• their safety
• their marriage partner (most children will marry one day and their marriage partner may well already be alive somewhere)
• their response to God's love
• their characters - use the fruit of the Spirit as a list to pray through: love. joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (see Galatians 5: 22-23, The Bible)
• pray with them, particularly at bedtime
• pray for yourselves as parents

Question:
Take some time to pray for your child(ren), and plan to make it a regular routine.

From Series: "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

Study Guide

More Messages Associated With "Family"...

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We look at the role of Paying Attention to Their World, Listening for Feelings & Avoiding Interruptions in effective communications.4. Show an interest in the world of your teenageres)

  • ask questions about their interests and listen to their answers
  • treat them as unique individuals with their own points of view and personal tastes

5. Listen for feelings

  • allow them to express negative emotions
  • don’t rush in with solutions right away

6. Try to avoid interrupting

  • the average person listens for only seventeen seconds

resist the desire to be defensive or to butt in and correct

What affirming words can you share with your teenager this week?  What one-to-one time can you plan?