A Prayer for Parents Who Don’t Know What They Are Doing
Prayers that I wished existed for every sort of occasion
I am going to try to something new. Each week, after I write the weekly post, a few days later, I am going to send an accompanying prayer related to the topic. Selfishly, I am doing in this in part for me: I always am on the hunt for more written prayers. I use written prayers often in my work to pray for larger groups, but I also love written prayers for my personal piety. Sometimes it is nice when I do not have the words to use someone else’s.
I will see if this resonates—let me know. I have said that I would like this space to serve a broader focus than religiosity and spirituality even though I am a priest, so the main weekly post will continue to follow the typical and familiar format. I will watch the email open rate, and if it seems that it does not interest the majority of readers, I may let these go after a time, but for now, let’s try it out, shall we?
I have taken inspiration from Kate Bowler’s blessings (which I love!) but some of her blessings are so personal (and lengthy) that I would not use them in group settings. I intend to write prayers that may be so intimate that they are only used alone, but also prayers that could be used with others.
The below prayer is for parents in response to my latest post on motherhood.
A Prayer for Parents Who Don’t Know What They Are Doing
God, you are a parent—the ultimate parent.
When we are floundering and overwhelmed by the problems our children are facing,
When we are not sure what to do next,
When we are convinced that everyone else has it figured out except for us,
Hold us. Reassure us. Whisper encouragement into our tired souls.
We can survive nights of spotty sleep,
Our children’s broken hearts,
Fights with our spouse or co-parent about the right discipline strategy,
Loneliness in carrying the whole darn load as single parents—
Not because you want the hardship for us, but because you have created us in your image, and so we have some small sense of what it means to care for those we love who cause us such worry.
Remind us that this too shall pass, that parenting is also fun and light and joyful (maybe just not right now).
Remind us that we need not parent perfectly, that every parent everywhere in every time has questioned if they are doing it right.
Remind us to ask for help, to not hold on so tight.
We will be okay—and our kids will be too. We are all in your hands. Amen.