Hollywood Prayer Network On ChildrenSample

DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILDREN

“If we never have headaches through rebuking our children, we shall have plenty of heartaches when they grow up.”  Charles Spurgeon

PRAY:  Dear God, I need wisdom to understand the fine line between disciplining my children and being too strict. I need Your help to let me discipline my children through love, not anger. Let me understand that a reprimand imparts wisdom and that a lack of discipline will disgrace me as a parent. I know I can only do this through Your Holy Spirit leading me, teaching me and guiding me. Oh Lord, let me follow Your word with love, wisdom and strength, in order to raise Godly children. I pray this in Your name, Amen.

REFLECT:  Raising children is difficult. We know that both as a child who has been raised by our parents, and as parents trying to raise our children. We also all have varying opinions on disciplining our children, to the point to becoming a very controversial topic. So what do you think God means when He tells us not to spare the rod, for that shows we hate our children? Or, that the parents who love their children are careful to discipline them? If a "rod" and a "reprimand" impart wisdom and children who are not disciplined will disgrace their mothers, then how do we practically implement that into our parenting? How did your parents do at that? What would you or have you done differently?

ACT:  Did you or will you "spare the rod"? Do you need to seek God for answers on what that means? Do you need to seek wisdom from professionals or parents who are great parents? Do you need to give your parents grace, forgiveness or a compliment regarding this issue? What is your next step in either becoming a better parent or evaluating your parents? Maybe you need to give them a compliment or ask their forgiveness? Maybe you need to ask your own children for forgiveness and give them a compliment on how well they turned out. Decide your next step in directly facing this difficult issue of discipline and do it right now.