A Prayer to Honor Your Mom

The fifth of the Ten Commandments tells us that we need to honor our mother and father. If you're lucky, you find this commandment easy to follow. Your mother is a person whom you respect and love, and whose positive influence helps you every day. You know she wants the best for you and she provides with the support, help, and love you need to succeed.

For many teens, however, honoring the fifth commandment isn't easy. There are times when our parents disagree with us about our choices and values. Even if we can see the reasons behind our parents' decisions, we may feel angry and rebellious. The idea of "honoring" a person with whom we disagree or fight may seem hypocritical. 

Some teens have an even more difficult time honoring their parents because their parents' actions or words are in direct conflict with the teachings of Christianity. How can a teen honor a parent who is abusive, neglectful, or even criminal? 

What Does It Mean to "Honor" a Person?

In modern America, we "honor" people who have achieved something impressive or acted heroically. We honor military heroes and individuals who risk their own lives to save someone else's. We also honor people who have achieved great things such as scientific breakthroughs or amazing artistic or athletic feats. It's quite possible that your mother has never saved a life or made an impressive contribution to humanity.

In the Bible, however, the term "honor" means something quite different. "Honoring" your mother in Biblical terms doesn't mean celebrating her achievements or moral qualities. Instead, it means caring for her and giving her the support she needs to live comfortably. It also means obeying your mother, but only if her commands do not contradict God's commands. In the Bible, God refers to His people as his children and asks that His children honor Him.

How to Honor Your Mother in Prayer

Even if you disagree with your mother, or believe that her actions are wrong, you can still honor her by thinking of her a caring but flawed human being who loves you and wants the best for you. It's important to notice the sacrifices your mother makes as she raises her children and to do your best to understand the reasons behind her decisions and actions. This prayer can help you get started, but like any other prayer, it can be changed to reflect your own personal feelings and beliefs.

"Lord, thank you for blessing me with my mom. I know sometimes I am not the perfect child. I know I challenge her a lot with my views and actions, but I also know that You have given me to her so she can love me.

I pray, Lord, that you continue to bless her with patience for me as I grow up and become more independent. I ask You to give her a sense of peace about my choices and to allow us to talk about the things that sometimes come between us.

I also ask, Lord, for you to comfort her and give her happiness in the areas of her life where she needs You most. I pray that You continue to bless her relationships and ask for her to have joy and success in the things she wants to do and achieve.

Lord, I also ask You to bless me with wisdom, love, and understanding for my mom. I pray that You give me a heart that continues to love my mother and open up my mind to what she wants for me. Let me not take for granted the sacrifices she has made for me. I ask for You to bless me with patience in times when I do not understand, and the openness to show my love for her.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with my mother. I pray for continued blessings for my family and all the things we do for one another. In Your name, Amen."