A Parent's Prayer for the School Year

It’s mid-August and in a blink I am closing the door on being a mom of preschoolers and opening the door to life as a mom of a middle school pre-teen and three elementary-aged children. So many emotions in that statement.

As I begin this new stage of life, I know that I need God’s wisdom and strength. I need His guidance and direction.

What better way to begin this school year than with prayer! Will you please join me?

Dear Abba Father,

Thank you for forgiveness. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for the promise of eternal life.

But I want more; I need more.

I don’t want to talk religion. I want to ooze your characteristics because I have young eyes watching me. My children are learning who You are by what I do. And I desperately want to be able to say, as the apostle Paul did to his followers, “Imitate me.”

I want to live so close to You – to be so intimately connected with You – that by imitating my life, my children will actually be imitating You. My heart’s desire is to be You to my children. I want to be the greatest influence in their lives, and I want to consistently shine to reflect You. I know that You hold my children’s future and I am trusting You to show me how to be a mirror of You to them as they travel this road to adulthood.

I know You have created me as the mom of these children but parenting is hard. I look in the mirror and just see mistakes and missed opportunities. I can’t do this on my own. I need you to make this happen.

I surrender everything I’ve been, everything I am, and everything I’ll become to You right now. Lord, I not only give You my life, I give You my rights as well. I give You my very self. I’m asking You to live through me. Use me to bring glory to Your name. I want You to transform me into Your image. I want my deepest desire to be to please You, to do Your will.

Even though my spirit is willing, my flesh is so weak. Holy Spirit, please prick my heart when I bend toward my will instead of Yours. Speak loud when I choose my way over Your way.

Thank you for making me complete in You, and for releasing the power of Your Spirit throughout every area of my life. Thank You that the same power that raised Your son from the dead is the power that You are using to mold in me into a daughter who will bring You glory. Thank You that You don’t give up on me.

In Your holy, powerful, and loving name….