Pray for Respect
Lord Most High, by Your Word the heavens were made; the starry host was made by the breath of Your mouth. You gather the waters of the sea into jars; You put the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear You Lord; let all the people of the world revere You. At Your command, the world came to be, and it stood firm. Your plans stand firm forever, the purposesof Your heart through all generations! From heaven, You look down and watch all who live on earth – You, who formed the hearts of all: You consider all we do (Psalm 33:6-15).
Sovereign Lord, because I revere You, may I cherish and show respect for all You have made. I humbly confess that I do not always show respect for some of Your most wonderful creations – human beings. My own sinfulness echoes in my ears when I hear the same disrespectful tone in my children’s voices as they have heard me use. Please replace my self-serving attitude with a loving graciousness that helps me see others the way You do – as precious treasures, worthy of tender care and respect. Please remind me to be respectful when I interact with my spouse, my children, friends and neighbours, especially when I am upset. Please forgive me for the times I have modeled a disrespectful attitude for my children.
I pray now for my children. Please infuse their hearts with a deep reverence for You and all that You have made. Place in them a longing to read Your Word and a desire to obey Your commands. Please inspire them to be respectful and considerate of others and give them a willingness to put others first. Because they have a healthy fear of You, I pray that my children will serve those in authority with their whole heart out of respect for the Lord and to honor those individuals by obeying their instructions (Ephesians 6:7).
In Jesus’ name, I ask that You will protect _________ and _______from the schemes of the devil who will try and persuade them to honor themselves instead of others. Because the “sins of self” are linked to disrespect, please expose any roots of rebellion, selfishness or pride in my children’s hearts, and destroy these attitudes through the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Examples of “family respect rules” to come up with as a family. (Maybe over ice cream.)
1. We speak respectfully about God.We are quiet and attentive during prayer.
2. We knock before entering bedrooms and bathrooms.
3. We ask before we take food from another person’s plate.
4. We ask before borrowing someone else’s things.
5. We stay quiet when others are on the phone.
6. We do not interrupt when another person is talking.
7. We listen when others speak.
8. We keep a clean house by putting things back where they belong so others can find them and so others don’t have to pick up our things.
9. We speak respectfully, eve nwhen we are upset with each other.
10.We eat the food prepared for us without complaining.
11.We honor and show respect for others by letting them go ahead of us or giving them the more desirable seat or treat.
12. We take the garbage out when it is full rather than overloading it.
13. If God made it (animals,trees,plantsand people), we don’t hurt it.
14. We close doors quietly and gently.
15. We don’t make fun of others when they are having trouble with something, when they make a mistake, when they get hurt or if they are different.
16. We are quiet when others are sleeping.
17. We take good care of our furniture, clothing, toys, books, home and vehicle.
