Parents’ Prayer for Their Children

O Lord God Almighty, Father of all grace and mercy! Behold, among Thy many blessings Thou hast also bestowed children upon me; and for these I give Thee heartfelt praise and thanks. But my God, when I regard my children as a trust which Thou hast committed to me, which Jesus has redeemed with His precious blood, and which Thou hast received in Holy Baptism as Thy children, I am concerned not to lose any of them by my fault. Thou sayest to me and to all parents: “Keep this child; if by any means it be missing, then shall thy life be for its life.” Therefore, O Father of all grace, I come to Thee and pray for my children. I will do what I can! but do Thou care for them. Bless them; guide them as they go out and in; keep them in Thy holy fear, that they may never offend nor grieve Thee by great sins, nor bring harm and disgrace upon themselves. Let their hearts be fixed on Jesus. Let Jesus dwell in their heart and sanctify it, that they may not lose Thy favor nor have an evil conscience. Guard them against temptation and wicked companions. Let Thy Holy Spirit constantly remind them of Thy holy presence, that they may remember that Thou art with them at home and abroad, by day and by night, in society and in solitude. Let Thy angel accompany them when they go out and in, and preserve them when they travel or attend to their occupation or are among strangers. Let Thy angel be their constant companion as he was Tobias’. Let Thy angels lead them away from danger as they did Lot. Let Thy angels protect them as they did Jacob.

Shouldest Thou be pleased, however, to send a cross of some kind upon me through my children, whether by death or sickness or misfortune, grant me patience under my suffering, and let me bear in mind that nothing can happen without Thy permission. Thou hast given me my children; Thou also hast power to take them to Thyself again. Shouldest Thou seek by their death to draw me nearer to Thee, so that I may be taught to love Thee alone, O then, on my thorny path, preserve my trust and hope in Thy omnipotence, that I may believe that Thou canst and wilt make my cross, as well as all things, work for my good.

Bless my children in earthly matters also. Provide for them and sustain them. Give them food and clothing, and deal with them as a loving Father. Be their Helper in danger, their Stay in trouble, their Counselor in perplexity, their Preserver in misfortune, their Physician in sickness. Give them a good disposition, an understanding mind, and a healthy body. Let them live as in Thy sight, and honor and praise Thee. Give them an obedient and humble heart. Let them grow up under Thy favor, and be a source of joy and comfort to me.

O God, hear my prayer, and remember that they are Thy children as well as mine. Let my prayer for them come before Thy throne of grace, and be heard. Let me, on the last day, stand together with all my children on Thy right hand, and say to Thy praise: Behold, here am I, my God, and the children which Thou hast given me; I have lost none of them. Yea, my God, grant that none of my children may be lost, but that together we may enter into Thy glory. Amen.