Practical Jokes - Proverbs 26:18,19

Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18,19)

Dear Father,

I pray that these children develop a great sense of humor since your Son patterned a behavior that included humor and laughter. Laughter is healing to the soul, a balm in the midst of pain. But joking can be destructive. I pray that these children never make jokes as someone else's expense, that they learn that making fun of people, even though they say they were "only joking", is hurtful and damaging. Some practical joking can be fine, but many times those jokes embarrass people greatly and many who are on the receiving end are not well equipped or self assured enough to deal with the embarrassment. I pray that these children understand, as this proverb well describes, that it is dangerous to play practical jokes - like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death. You never know what effect the joke might have and how a person might be hurt by it. I pray that in any such acts, the jokes they play are mild and the people they play them against are well able to handle any embarrassment. But moreover, I pray that you give these children the wisdom to think through the possible ramifications of these actions.

Amen