Dear God, our Heavenly Father,
We, the people in America, present National Child Abuse Prevention Month to You in prayer as a tribute to all the children and youth of our nation in Jesus’ name.
Since 1974, we in America have taken steps to prevent child abuse and neglect against our young people. During that year, President Richard Nixon signed a legislative enactment into law, known as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), to provide programs, laws, and agencies within the States to fight against child abuse and neglect. Nine years later (1983) on April 4th, the CAPTA inspired President Ronald Reagan to issue a proclamation, known as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, to call on America to recognize and take action to prevent abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of children. Since then, our nation has observed National Child Abuse Prevention Month every year in April (www.bordaslaw.com/blog-posts/national-child-abuse-prevention-month/).
Therefore, Heavenly Father, as we in America continue to honor President Reagan’s proclamation to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we humbly ask that Your Spirit call out all child and youth advocates—ordained child and youth ministers, child and family social workers, and child protective services—to take part in the CAPTA to organize community outreach programs, seminars, and support groups in churches, schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brother Big Sister organizations, Young Men’s Christian Associations (YMCA), and Young Women’s Christian Associations (YWCA) to provide resources with information to educate and guide parents or legal guardians on positive parenting skills, non-violent conflict resolutions, building healthy relationships with their children, and ways to discipline children without producing abuse or mistreatment.
Here are three biblical scriptures in the book of Proverbs from the New Living Translation that encourage the benefits of giving discipline to children: Those who spare the rod of discipline [a figurative tool of correction] hate their children; those who love their children care enough to discipline them (Proverbs 13:24). To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother [or a father] is disgraced by an undisciplined child (Proverbs 29:15). Discipline your children. They will give you peace of mind and make your heart glad (Proverbs 29:17). In a figurative sense, learning from Proverbs 13:24, refusing to discipline children is a form of child abuse and neglect. But learning from all the listed Proverbs, we know parents (or legal guardians) who enforce discipline on their children show love and care. With the benefits of discipline, children will have a better life of empowering good character, knowledge, and discernment of morals. Children with those qualities will give parents a good name and contentment.
Parents or legal guardians should correct their children when they misbehave or become disobedient or disrespectful at home or school. But, Heavenly Father, we ask that child and youth ministers, child and family social workers, and child protective services encourage parents and legal guardians to utilize positive discipline techniques. Help them to understand that discipline should be rooted in love, patience, and a desire to guide their children toward responsible behavior. If a parent or legal guardian chooses to use spanking as a method of correction, we pray that it is always done with restraint, never in anger, and never with the intent to cause harm or injury. May they understand that discipline is about teaching, not hurting. Suppose parents or legal guardians rebuke their children. In that case, we pray that they will correct them with the training, exhortation, and admonition You provide (Ephesians 6:4, New King James Version) instead of using words that destroy children’s emotional and mental health.
In conclusion, Heavenly Father, as we observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we lift all those who work to protect children: ordained child and youth ministers, child and family social workers, child protective services, teachers, school counselors, school nurses, principals, doctors, nurses, pediatricians, therapists, mental health professionals, youth group leaders, coaches, mentors, foster and adoptive parents, neighbors, community members, police officers, and juvenile justice professionals. We ask that you grant each of them wisdom and discernment to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. May your favor surround all our children and youth with a shield (Psalm 5:12, New King James Version)! In Jesus’ name. Amen—Kenneth Sullivan.