Parable
Parable Of The Children In The Marketplace Prayer
A short, Scripture-shaped parable prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.
The prayer
A prayer to pray now
Lord,
Jesus told a story about children in the marketplace.A pipe played, and no one would dance.A sad song played, and no one would mourn.John came fasting, and they said he had a demon.You came eating and they called You a glutton.They would not play either game.
I see myself in that story.I have sat on the curb while the dance went onand the funeral passed by,and I refused both.I have demanded that You show upin the way I expected.I have called the prophet too strictand the Savior too kind.
Cure the critic in me.Teach me to recognize wisdomin whatever form it takes,not just the form I would have chosen.
Amen.
How to pray it
- Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
- Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
- Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.
Verses to pray
Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.
and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
Matthew 11:17
Questions about this prayer
When should I pray parable of the children in the marketplace prayer?
Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.
Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?
This prayer is anchored in Matthew 11:17. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.
Can I save or share this prayer?
Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.