“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.” Proverbs 23:13-14

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it…Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.” Proverbs 22:6, 15

Lord God, I want more than anything else to see my children and my spouse in heaven with me. Today, I am praying specifically for my children. You’ve given them to me as a gift. You’ve entrusted them to me on this earth and at this time for one big purpose, so that from me they can learn to know their Savior. In addition to this, you have given me to them so that I might teach them the ropes of life and the path to life as you have laid it out for me. It’s hard, though, Father. It’s frustrating. It’s aggravating. It’s even confusing. I don’t always know what to do. Help me, Father, to pray more for my children. There is nothing more important that I can do for my children than to ask you to be involved in their life. Help me, Father, to get involved in their lives and to be invested in every part of their lives. When I’m tired from a long day of work or worn out by the stress of parenting, give me strength to continue to be invested in their upbringing. Help me, Lord, to train them to know you. I want to hug them into heaven. So, help me to raise them up to know you. Amen.

The goal is discipline is always to instruct. The goal is always to draw them closer to their God. The goal is always to teach them the ways of the Lord.