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Prayer for the Strong Willed Child {and His Weak Mama}

in Encouragement· Faith in Action· Grace· Parenting

 

I drop young’uns off at school and come home, hang up keys, and walk up stairs. I walk to my sons’ room and I sit on tallest boy’s bed. I stare at piles of books and clothes and fish tank supplies and wish this mess to be the only one he ever lives, even though I know that’s not possible. I lay down on his bed and wonder about another mess,

“Am I getting to the heart of this boy whose strong-willed nature makes parenting him feel like walking a tight rope? How much of a mess do I invite when my patience plummets and my blood pressure rises?”

It’s an acute fear with this strong-willed kiddo, that I’ll mess up his relationship with me and God. When the F5 emotions swirl, I don’t always calm the storm. I am learning to breathe in Jesus and let His peace calm the storm for me.

And I pray like his life depends on it. Because really? It does.

Prayer for the Strong Willed Child {and His Weak Mama}

Oh Father,

Thank you for this treasure-child, this grace-teacher who keeps me humble. You know the good and hard stuff that comes with raising him, and how I fret over feeling ill equipped. Help me remember I have your easy yoke and light burden to lean on and learn from, and that You spill overflowing grace all over my parenting gaps.

Help him see the behavior in me I want to see in him. His eagle eyes see and hear my actions most. When he pushes boundaries and argues limits, give me your supernatural ability to make the situation better, not worse. Don’t let me fuel the storm with hot-tempered, windy words. May I diffuse the unstable air with words and behavior that define grace and peace. Make me a gentle wind that blows him towards You.

Open my eyes to those times he genuinely needs more room to test his wings. Make me see the difference between downright disrespect that needs correcting and reigns that need loosening.

Help me see the sneaky, ugly roots of pride growing so I may yank them out at the roots.

Help me see past the tough exterior to the insecure interior and build him up with the best tool around: your Word. Help me seal the cracks by freely and generously lending love so I represent You well. Show me how to mold his passion into faith that moves mountains.

May his strong-willed bent lend itself to a firm foundation built on nothing but Christ.

Turn to dust and windblown chaff anything standing in the way of a full and healthy relationship with You. Give me wisdom on how to build up not break down our relationship. I am weak, but You are strong. Carry us both today and always.

In the mighty name of Jesus,

{And all the mamas of strong willed babies said}

Amen

{Care to connect with me via facebook? Just click here.}

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Faith in Action, Grace, Parenting

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Comments

  1. Tricia says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Oh Kristen, how true this is my world this week. A great prayer that I will be using more often now, with my youngest. Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and the wisdom you are such a blessing to our family I am so glad we met you and your great family.

    Reply
  2. Rebecca Petersen says

    September 1, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    I need to tattoo this on my arm where I can read it constantly…

    Reply
  3. Kristen says

    September 1, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    I love you girls. That’s all. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Amy says

    September 1, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    What a wonderful prayer! I showed this to my sister-in-law, who has a dear and very strong-willed little boy, and she just loved it.

    Reply
  5. Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says

    September 4, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    Oh Kristen – oh man, you wrote this just for me and Micah, didn’t you? {hair standing up on back of neck…}

    Reply
  6. heidi of Wonder Woman Wannabe says

    September 13, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    A-men! My preschooler is FULL of spirit to the MAX! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Shella says

    November 16, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    oh how i love this prayer, full of love and honesty.

    Reply
  8. caroline witbeck says

    February 7, 2012 at 9:12 pm

    I printed this off and put it on my bedside table to pray over my 2 strong willed daughters! As a mom with a strong-will I had to know it was coming and the part about helping me with my actions as well was very true. Funny how God works and that I would come across this when tonight we faced another “melt down” from the one that has a birthday tomorrow.
    Caroline

    Reply
  9. Kerry @ Made For Real says

    June 27, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    Oh how I needed this… Months later and I find this. By no mistake. Thanks, Kristen.

    Reply
  10. Shonee says

    March 11, 2014 at 9:54 am

    Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU! I was led to this page for a reason… this prayer was everything I needed this morning! God gives me the strength to battle the tough moments. My 5 year old Caleb had a mean Spirit this morning. After much arguing and tantrum filled moments, I laid my hands on him and prayed for the BLood of Jesus to cover him and remove whatever was working on the inside. The calming Spirit came over Caleb and we went on with our day. Its not always that easy but I do what I can to get through! I sent this prayer to other moms as well 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

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Hey there, dearheart! I’m Kristen, and welcome t Hey there, dearheart! I’m Kristen, and welcome to my little corner of the world here in the Colorado woods outside Colorado Springs. 

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