Creator God,

Each child is born

with such a unique fingerprint.

From the time they first

hold up their heads

to the day they choose

senior-year classes,

we notice their specific 

strengths, weaknesses,

and delightful quirks—

and love watching them

become the people

you made them to be.

We praise you, Father,

for revealing unique

aspects of your nature

through so many different

kinds of people!

Help us be our children’s

biggest cheerleaders,

fanning the flame of their 

early passions and dreams,

and helping them learn

the skills they will need to

achieve their goals.

As their young minds imagine

what their adult lives will look like,

help us refrain from squashing

anything that seems unrealistic

or difficult.

The world is hard enough

on those daring to dream big,

and we want our home to be 

a haven from any harsh critique.

Keep us from projecting our own

ambitions or expectations onto them,

even when their interests and talents

are foreign to us.

Help us instead teach them

to value hard work and humility,

so that regardless of their life path, 

they will be the kind of people

this world needs more of.

In every stage of their becoming,

I thank you, Lord, for the gift

of being their parent.

Amen.