A Prayer for Children: Goals

The Patient Practice of Achieving Goals

What goals do you have? Maybe you’re wondering what a goal is, exactly? A goal is something you would like to do, have, or be and that you work to achieve. It could be something like getting your room clean and tidy by the end of the day. It could be learning how Mom makes those great pancakes, learning to ride a bike, or saving money for a new game.

Goals may be something you can do today or something that takes a bit more time— perhaps a few days or even weeks—to get done.

I remember wanting to build a fort in the backyard when I was young, and I needed my dad’s help. I was hoping to have it built as soon as I could. I remember my dad telling me to be patient, that the fort would get done. It took us a couple of weekends, but we got it built. I also remember how good it felt when I finished cleaning my room, and it didn’t take that long to do!

Prayer Is Part of Goal-Setting

As a kid, I struggled with math. I wanted to get a good grade but had to put in extra time and practice with my teacher and my tutor. Rather than getting discouraged, it was helpful to set a goal each day to work my math problems and remember to ask for help when I needed it.

My mom and I would take time in prayer before I started my math homework. She would sit with me and encourage me to take a few deep breaths and relax before I started working, remembering that God was with me as I practiced. She said I could not only ask for her help, I could also ask for God’s help anytime I needed it.

Mom assured me that God was always right here with me because God is in me. I could never be separate from God, even when I was scared or frustrated, and stopping to breathe became the way I remembered that.

Goals can seem exciting and fun—something we can get done quickly. Goals can also seem like they may never be reached. But we can enjoy the time it takes to achieve these goals when we stop, breathe, and remember that we are “little drops of God” in the ocean of Spirit. And we are meant to do the things we love.

A Prayer for All Children Pursuing Goals

Our hearts are full as we watch the children in our lives setting and pursuing their goals. In prayer, we affirm their effort toward each goal is a learning experience regardless of the outcome. We are willing to offer our help and to remind them that they are always within the presence of God, never alone. With our thoughts, words, and prayers, we cheer them on.

A Shared Family Prayer for Goals

As we come together in prayer, we are one in and as God. We rest in this moment, a family of love. We know that the dreams and goals we have are Spirit within us, manifesting the divine aliveness that we are. We affirm guidance and peace as we move toward the accomplishment of each of them.