Children are a great gift from God. They are intentionally created with unique gifts and given a special mission in life. It is easy for parents to dream of what their children will become, but parenting is also a challenge. According to Dr. Larry Mercer, the mark of a Christian parent is not perfection but faithfulness. Praying for their child, modeling personal holiness, and promoting responsibility in their lives are a few of the suggestions Dr. Mercer offers for effective Christian parenting.