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Parenting is hard. Whether you have one or ten, the amazing privilege of raising children is both exhilarating and daunting. We can’t shoulder this heavy responsibility alone. We must rely on God by consistently praying for wisdom in parenting.
When we read Solomon’s prayer in our Sunday School class recently, God led me to use Solomon’s words as a model to pray for wisdom in parenting. Our monumental privilege of raising children can feel as huge as Solomon’s new role as king of Israel!
I can identify with Solomon’s feelings of inadequacy. I’ve made so many mistakes in parenting, that I often want to give up on being intentional in my parenting and discipling at home. When Solomon felt overwhelmed by the task God placed on his shoulders, Solomon prayed and his prayer for wisdom pleased God.
Let’s seek God like Solomon as we face the joy, the fear, the heartache, the laughs, the tears, and the awesome privilege of raising children. Pray with me:
You have shown great mercy to Your servant and my family, and through Jesus we can walk before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You. You have continued great kindness for us, and You have given us children to raise in our home, as it is to this day. Now, O Lord, my God, You have made Your servant a parent, but I am overwhelmed. I don’t know how to go in or come out. And Your servant is in the midst of Your children You have entrusted to me, a great family, too special and lovely to describe. Therefore, give to Your Servant an understanding heart to raise these children, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to disciple these great children of Yours? (Based on 1 Kings 3:6-9)
God answered Solomon’s prayer and gave him wealth and fame, as well as wisdom, but this prayer isn’t some magical formula to get the things we want. God knows our hearts and motives as we pray for wisdom in parenting.
James 1:5-6 reminds us to ask God in faith when we lack wisdom. He will grant it “generously.” Our Heavenly Father is the only source of true wisdom from above that James contrasts with earthly wisdom.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 NASB
Remember, dear child of God, when we sincerely seek the wisdom from above, God answers–even when we think we don’t have all the answers we want.
Honestly, I spent much time praying for wisdom through a heartbreaking family crisis. It is hard to see exactly how God answered that prayer. I was still so blinded even though I prayed for wisdom constantly! Eventually, God intervened. I am working to trust that He gave me what I needed at the time and is working all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)
I will continue praying for wisdom in parenting and trust He is guiding me even when I can’t see it. Will you?
How has God given you wisdom in parenting? Do you practice any principles that came directly from Him? Leave a comment below!
