3. A PRAYER FOR CHILDREN

     Almighty God, heavenly Father, in the fourth Commandment Thou hast so earnestly enjoined upon me to honor my father and my mother and hast also graciously promised to reward such service with long life and well-being.  I now pray Thee from my inmost heart, give unto me an obedient heart, a heart that with due reverence obeys in all things my dear parents and all those placed over me in their stead, giving them honor in word and deed with patience.  May I never hurt their feelings or despise and mock them as long as I live in order that Thy blessing may come upon me.  Grant, O lord God, that I may carefully keep their words, commands, and directions, storing them in my heart and binding them about my neck, also accepting their corrections, and not forgetting their instructions, so that I may live the longer upon the earth.  Rule me, I pray Thee, by Thy good Spirit that I may yield to the corrections of my father and not abandon the directions of my mother, so that I may be their joy and comfort.  In all I do or leave undone, grant that I may ever keep before me the example of my Lord and Savior, who, as a model for all pious children, was subject to his dear mother, the Virgin Mary, and to His foster-father Joseph.  Bestow upon me a heart thankful and modest that I may requite my parents by serving them in return, particularly by ministering unto them in their old age, bearing with them if they grow childish and peevish and never forgetting that they gave me life.  And graciously forgive me all that on account of childish weakness and waywardness I have done against them.  Preserve me from bad company and people of loose habits, so that, when the wicked entice, I do not consent nor follow in their ways, but guard my foot from their paths, lest shame and vice be my portion. O Lord, who hast hitherto reared me as a father does his son, grant that I incline mine ears and listen to the words of the wise, storing up wisdom in the days of my youth for the purpose of becoming prudent and cautious.  Grant Thine aid that I may increase in wisdom, stature, and grace with Thee and my fellow-men, for Christ Jesus' sake. Amen.