Our Favorite Parenting Tips: Prayer, My “Go-to” Method of Parenting

by Marilynn Chadwick

Our children used to have a running joke. When watching a lousy performer on American Idol—the ones eliminated at the first cut—they would say, “Where was his mother?” Their point being that any good mom should never let a child go out into the world without a grasp of who they are and who they’re not. What they’re good at—and what they’re not. It’s our job as mothers to teach, nurture, and correct our kids. To tell them the truth about themselves and the world around them.

I’ve said raising our children was my master passion, and it’s true. Nothing has ever given me as much joy, as many tears, or greater triumphs than the development of these three young people. Nothing I’ve accomplished compares with the exhilaration of pouring life into my kids and watching them flourish.

But being a mother has also been challenging. Even gut-wrenching at times. I once commented to an older, wiser friend who had raised five great kids that I wished I was a little more relaxed as a mom. She shot back, “Are you kidding? Motherhood is not a relaxing job!” And she’s right. But with creativity, patience, a supportive community, and persistent prayer, it can work.

I often say prayer is vital to a good marriage. And praying for my children has been my “go to” method of mothering. Pure and simple. This is more than just lip service, coming from a mom who knows she has plenty of flaws. I have often poured over God’s Word to see what he had to say. So, when the Bible promised, “Your children will be mighty in the land” (Psalm 112:2), I figured I was on solid ground in praying they would have an impact on the world. Surrender them to Christ, I learned early on. Fight for them. Develop their gifts and talents.

Over the next several days, we’ll explore several ways to help our children reach their dreams. But at the heart of it all is prayer.

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This Daily Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.