Parents' Prayers For July

July 5  Give them an aversion to quarrels

He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. (Proverbs 17:19)

Immanuel, God with us, from everlasting to everlasting, we give you thanks and praise. How beautiful are your hands! We are so joyful because of your presence. We give you glory and praise. We are saddened to see the deterioration of this beautiful world that you have created. Lord, forgive us that we as people quarrel and war against each other, destroying the true nature of the purpose of your creation. Forgive us that we have not been good stewards of this earth.

God of peace, may our children grow up to be good stewards, stewards of peace, so they may bring the gospel message of peace wherever they go. Lord, give them disdain for quarrels so they may live a life of peace. Lord, help them to bring your peace to places of strife and war. Give them meekness in their hearts so they may become delegates of peace wherever you send them.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

July 6  Help them to guard their mouths

A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. (Proverbs 18:7)

Lord, you have created the universe with your word. Thank you for the blessing that we too can speak words. Of all the living creatures, you have given only us the ability to speak. But Lord, forgive us for the times we have sinned with our words. Help us to reflect if we have ever hurt others with our judgment, condemnation, or rumors.

Lord, you raise the dead to life with your words. May our words also have creative power. Bless the words of our children's lips; may their words be used to pray, praise, give thanks, and be messengers of good news. May their words always be sincere and truthful, and guard them from telling lies and whispering rumors. Help them to guard their mouths, and anoint them to speak good things from the Lord.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

July 7  Give them disdain for gossip

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. (Proverbs 18:8)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, thank you that we are children of God. Thank you for making us holy as your people. Although you have commanded us, " Be holy because I am holy", there were times we failed to follow after your holiness. Lord, if you don't help us to guard our words, we can't do it by ourselves.

Lord, forgive us for tainting our lips, which you have created, with gossip. Anoint our lips so from now on we may speak beautiful and sincere words to encourage and uplift others. Help us to seek forgiveness for our offenses. May our lips never be used to judge others or to gossip. Lord, we have learned that words have the power to destroy others, ruin people's reputation, and injure others. Help us to speak your words so we may bless others with its fruit.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

July 8  Keep us from laziness

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. (Proverbs 19:15)

Lord, thank you for granting us work in our lives and the health to carry out our jobs. Thank you for the grace of good health so we could work and study today. Help us to reflect on our work and study attitudes. Were there times when we were lazy in our responsibilities?

Lord, keep us from laziness, physically and spiritually. Help our children to lead lives of diligence through the strength that comes from God. Give them diligence so they may never go hungry because of laziness. With this same diligence, please give them the grace to help others in need, and also to serve in spreading the gospel. Lord, keep them from using their diligence for selfish reasons, but rather help them to serve God and others. Jesus has taught us that his command was to do the work of him from whom he was sent. Lord, likewise, may our children work with diligence in the Lord.

We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.