The Mother Hen

Praying for Your Kids Monday
Controlling Their Temper

The animated Disney film Beauty and the Beast has made itself in to the Henderson movie rotation. In one of the scenes the enchanted clock, candelabra and tea pot are giving the Beast advice on how to woo the heroine, Belle. After a few little tips they say in unison, "You must control your temper". A short temper isn't attractive, even in the movies.

Whether you're the parent of a two year old, notorious for their tempers, or of a teenager you have likely seen a tantrum out of your little darling (jamming ear pods in and slamming a door constitutes a tantrum!). Heck, just last week I behaved so badly towards my husband as a result of anger (he was right; I was wrong and it made me so angry I could have bitten myself) that I'm convinced my Mom should pray this prayer for her adult child this week!

Proverbs 17:27 says, "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered."

It isn't easy to control our temper in a society where value is placed on self and we grow up feeling entitled to everything but this is exactly what we must teach our children and pray for our kids. Controlling one's temper is hard, a discipline that must be nurtured by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I bless ________ with an even temper. I pray You will lead and guide him through Your Spirit so he will have a life long desire to have restraint and be a peace maker. I pray __________ will have patience and wisdom and know how to use his words to bless rather than curse. Amen.