Christmas Prayer for Parents - 2010 and Always

It doesn't matter if you're the parent of a new baby, or you're a great great grandparent. Most likely your prayers for your children are continuous. I remember my husband's grandmother, at 104, saying she worries most about her children. That awakened me to realize I had a long road ahead.

And now we pray.

Dear Father,

Another year has passed and we are once again, this Christmas Eve, celebrating the birth of your only son. The son you sent to take care of our sins. And then you said that we should simply believe this and you would bring us to heaven to be with you always.

How many times,God, do we ask our children to do what seems like very simple things? We are like our children. Many times we continue on our own path instead of following your words and guidance. Like our children, we often must endure difficult times. You have reasons for these and as our life goes on we often understand the whys.

This special Christmas Eve we pray and ask for your help with our lives. We ask for help with our children, our work, our health, our parents and whatever needs we have each day. Sometimes your time frame is not ours and we become angry or sad.

This Christmas Eve we ask for your blessing on ourselves. Help us to understand one another and lead us on the best path for a good earthly life and then following in heaven. We ask your help with our jobs and the people we work with. Some days are good, but some are just so frustrating, God. Help us to become more successful in our daily work. Some days work seems impossible, but there are so few other jobs for us.

We also ask that you would guide and protect us, our family and friends and our home. This inner circle of our life is our safety net here on earth. We thank you for our home and our country. It seems there is always turmoil and complaint. But God, you've been good to us and we are grateful that we can sit in this warm home together, and with folded hands share our prayer with you. It's not the biggest or the best, but for us and our children it is home. We've had ups and downs this year. But as we think of our life, it's that way every year. In school we received some bad grades and some days it seemed we had no friends. Most of us asked some questions and then moved our lives forward. You taught us daily to move forward.

We are sad to lose those closest to us here on earth. Our tears cover our cheeks and once again we ask that you help us understand that we will soon join them in your everlasting home. Our tears are mostly for ourselves and how much we will miss them. Sometimes we questioned you, God.

Joys abound in our household. We live in a great nation that continues to strive for the best. Our kids go to great schools and we share their games and daily activities. We try to be patient to help them with homework and to deal with daily trials. Best of all, we hold them close, hug them and tell them we love them. Although we don't live near-by our parents, they also hold us close and continue to listen and care about us.

This Christmas Eve God, we are able to place many gifts under our beautifully decorated tree. The joys of many years shine from its shining lights. Just sitting here looking at the beauty of our home as we celebrate Jesus' birth, brings tears of sadness and joy. We worked hard to get those gifts. Some are very much needed. And yes, some are just very much wanted. But who knows the memories treasured forever in someones heart because of a special gift they received sometime during their life. I'll always remember that special music box and my husband remembers his first red bike.

Tomorrow our home will not be quiet and you probably won't be able to hear the carols playing. We ask that you join our hearts together this Christmas Eve with all who know you. For once, we're quiet. Even the outside is quiet. It is as though we'll soon hear your angels singing Glory to God.

We thank you for all the goodness you've given us. We ask for your help as we move on into a new year. New joys and trials will pop up along our family's pathway. We ask that you care for each one of us. Push us, pull us, lead us and guide us. You know, even before us, what we need.

We pray, this quiet Christmas Eve in the name of your special son.

Amen.