Father in heaven,

You are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness to us in Christ.

We thank you that because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, you have forgiven and cleansed us and
called us your children. We thank you that you give wisdom generously when we ask for it in faith. ​We thank
you that you have given us the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen and help us in our time of need.

We pray for moms and dads that are working outside the home and in the home, that you would give them wisdom
to figure out the complexities of work and childcare and how to arrange all of this.

We pray for parents who are feeling stressed or panicked, that you would give them clear minds and calm hearts,
that they would be able to plan and organize as necessary, and that they would have realistic expectations of
themselves and their children, and would not exasperate them.

We pray that you would help children honour their parents by listening, obeying, staying focused, and doing
their best. We pray that children would glorify you as they learn about the world you have made. 

We pray that you would help parents to be patient as they try and figure this out; patient not only with their
children, but patient with each other, and themselves.

We pray that parents and children and husbands and wives would be willing to apologize and forgive
and ask for forgiveness when necessary, remembering how you have forgiven them in Christ.

We pray that no one would give in to anger, frustration, or despair during this time, but that families
would persevere in faith and dependence on you.

Even though this will be challenging for many families, we pray that you would provide moments of joy
and laughter and learning together. We ask that you would bless each family with grace, mercy, and peace during this time. 

In all of these things, we pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ would be evident in our hearts and
homes, and that you would be glorified in our lives and church.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.