Prayers for Parents

Day 8: Monkey See, Monkey Do

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  —Ephesians 5:1-2

James Baldwin, an American playwright and novelist, said this about the power of a parent’s example: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” The truth his words communicate is that what we do as parents will have a greater influence on our children than what we say.

As God’s children, we will increasingly reflect His character as we follow Christ and grow in Him. Similarly, our children look to us for cues on how to live, love, interact with others, navigate life’s challenges, and more. By living a life surrendered to God, our actions will train them to live according to God’s standards and help them understand how His word governs our lives.

But you won’t do this perfectly. It’s okay for your children to see that you’re human, and that you make mistakes. Let them see your humility in your complete dependence on God and on His willingness to forgive you and help you overcome life’s challenges.

Prayers for parents
  • Thank God for giving you the opportunity to represent Him to your children.
  • Pray that your children will naturally witness your love for God and obedience to His Word as you study the Bible, pray, serve, give, make wise decisions, and more.
  • Pray that as you model genuine godliness in your life and home, your children will follow your example.
  • Pray that other parental role models and family members (co-parents, grandparents, stepparents, etc.) will also model genuine godliness when influencing your child.