God, Help Me Not To Mess Up My Kids!Sample

God, Keep My Kids Clothed—A Prayer for Compassion

“Go get dressed please.” It’s a simple four-word request, but this phrase initiates stress for mothers everywhere. It results in your daughter wanting to wear a swimsuit and flippers to church so she throws a tantrum demanding her way. The power struggle ensues. When those frustrating moments happen, remember this verse. It gives us five pieces of clothing to put on when those difficult times happen.

In view of what Jesus Christ has done for us, Paul describes the attitude and behaviors we are to have in response to His gift:

1. Compassion means “to suffer with” and is an emotional response of sympathy. But it’s not just a feeling. The feeling is combined with a desire to help. Because we have compassion, we want to take action and help the person who is suffering.
2. Kindness is the quality of compassion and generosity, especially to those who are weak and in need.
3. Humility is an attitude of lowliness and obedience. We recognize our status before God and that creates an attitude of humility.
4. Gentleness is seen in the Bible when God deals with the frail and the weak. It is an expression of compassion, polite and restrained behavior.
5. Patience is the quality of forbearance and self-control that is often expressed as a willingness to wait.

Those qualities may seem difficult, but God have given us the fruit of the spirit. We already have the fruit necessary to exhibit these qualities. With the Holy Spirit's help, it is possible!

Let’s use today’s verses as a blueprint for prayer. Take the concepts of the verses and turn them into a prayer for your children. Here’s an example:

Father God, help my children understand that they are dearly loved by You. May they clothe themselves with compassion—making them willing to suffer with others and help them. May they clothe themselves with kindness, especially to those who are weak or in need. May they dress themselves in humility, developing an obedient and lowly attitude. May they clothes themselves in gentleness, maturing with a polite and restrained behavior. May they clothe themselves with patience, growing up with an attitude of self-control and the willingness to wait on You. May I be an example of these godly traits to them” (based on Colossians 3:12).

Let’s dig deeper together. Watch a surprising video of what kids think of their moms, find encouragement, and discover some practical ways to apply this lesson.