A Prayer for Parents
By Living Free Ministries
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6
Early adolescence includes young people from 11 to 14 years of age. Contrary to popular thought, adolescence does not have to be a time of rebellion or rejection of earlier teaching. The key to parenting an adolescent is communication. If you keep the lines of communication with your child open, almost any disagreement can be resolved, or any difficulty overcome.
Family mealtimes continue to be important times for family conversation. Adolescents often try to avoid those times. It would be reasonable to insist on at least three (and preferably five) evening meals per week with all family members present. Discuss family issues, school issues, community issues, politics, God, and spiritual issues. Encourage your teen to think through issues and offer opinions.
Consider this…
Have real conversation with your teenager--don't just voice demands or criticism. Ask for, and respect, your teen's opinions, even if you disagree. Share confidences, dreams, mistakes you have made, feelings. Do not withdraw from your child, even if he or she attempts to withdraw from you.
Prayer:
Father, I find it so easy to focus on the negatives in my teen's life, easy to jump on those things without listening. Help me to speak in a way that will bring out the best in my child. Help me to not put him down, not cut him out. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
Editor’s Note: the following is an abridged version of Godly Parenting from Living Free Every Day. To read the full devotion, follow this link.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
Originally published Wednesday, 29 April 2020.
SHARE
