Prayer of Patience for Parents

There is so much to learn and experience by being a parent. Being a parent is not something I learned in school nor beforehand when I was preparing for birth. Only now with caring for him have I truly experienced what it means to be a parent.

Being a parent requires patience. Lots of patience and understanding. Because they only know basic instincts as an infant, and I need to accept that and be gentle and calm.

Here’s a prayer for patience when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated with your child.

When my child tests me, teach me, God, how to respond with wisdom.
When I grow irritable, send me patience.
When my fury rages, teach me the power of restraint.
When I become fixed in my ways, teach me to be flexible.
When I take myself too seriously, bless me with a sense of humor.
When I am exhausted, fill me with strength.
When I am frightened, fill me with courage.
When I am stubborn, teach me how to bend.
When I act hypocritically, help me to align my deeds with my values.
When mundane pressures threaten to overwhelm me, help me to remember how truly blessed I am.
When I lose my way, God, please guide me on the road back to joy, back to love, back to peace, back to you. Amen

From Talking to God, by Naomi Levy (Knopf, 2002).

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