A Parent’s PRAYER.

If you’re a parent, you’ll appreciate this article. The responsibility given to parents is the biggest responsibility ever given to man. –to care for God’s little ones. May God help us to take it ever so seriously.

Newspaper columnist Abigail Van Buren has composed a “Parent’s Prayer” in which she stresses the practical side of raising children. Says “Dear Abby”:

“Oh, heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, & to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.

“Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.

“Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal. And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say & do that honesty produces happiness.

“Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.

“May I ever be mindful that my children are children & I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.

“Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves & to make decisions.

“Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests, & the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.

“Make me fair & just & kind. And fit me, Oh Lord, to be loved & respected & imitated by my children. Amen.