Merciful God,

You know the details of my teenager’s day. 

You know who she ate lunch with and what jokes were told. 

You know what classes are hard,

and what teachers she likes and doesn’t like.

You know “the tea”, the cliques, 

who likes who, and who is a good friend. 

You know what was seen on the internet, 

what was sent in texts and shared in messages.

Help her to know that you see her, 

that you care about every moment, 

and that you are with her. 

Make me a trustworthy place for her 

to come when she has questions or problems, 

and help her to know I care and can be trusted 

with the vulnerable and fragile places in her heart.

Give me wisdom to know when to intervene 

and when to let her figure things out on her own. 

Help me learn what love looks like in this season 

so I can lean in and listen well.

Please grow my trust in your care for her 

when I am tempted to be controlling or overbearing. 

Give me humility to seek and hear feedback 

from her about how she experiences me. 

Help me confess my failures, seek restoration,

and repair when I have acted hurtfully.

Strengthen and protect our relationship 

so that in the years to come we can share joys and sorrows 

and walk together as a family that cares and supports 

one another appropriately for each season of life we will encounter.

Thank you that you haven’t left us on our own 

to figure out this complicated thing that is parenting, 

but you go before us as we trust 

in your wisdom and faithful guidance.

Amen.

written by Loraena Tuttle