How to Pray for Our Children

Raising a child is a God-given privilege that should not be taken lightly. When we become parents, God is entrusting us to raise this little person in a way that is pleasing and honoring to Him. Although the days of child-rearing tend to be long, the years fly by in a flash.

It is easy to worry whether what we have to offer our children is enough for them. The answer is simple- it isn't. We cannot, under our own strength, be enough for our children. We will fail them. We will let them down. We will make mistakes.

The good news? God is enough, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He has given our children the exact parents that they need, and through Him we will raise them in a God-honoring way. We can be sure of this through the promises He has left us in His Word.

Consider praying through this list for your children, focusing on each attribute and the Bible verse that supports it. Praying the scriptures can be very powerful, and some individuals like to place their child's name in the verse to make it more personal.

God loves our children and He will take care of them way better than we ever could on our own. Turn your eyes to Him, rest in His promises, and trust that He knows what He's doing and He's got this.

You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in My name, and I will do it! -John 14:13-14

We can rest in the promise that when we ask for anything in the name of Jesus, God will grant our request. Asking for anything in the name of Jesus is more than lip service- it requires a right heart. First of all, we must ask in the name of Jesus because we ourselves are not worthy to ask anything of God. It is only because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross that we are able to pray in His name. Secondly, an authentic prayer in the name of Jesus will ultimately lead to things that will honor and glorify Him.

As sons and daughters of the King, when we ask of Him on behalf of our children, we can rest assured that He hears our prayers and will honor our request in the best way possible. His answers may not always look the way we expect, but we

Salvation

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9

If your child is not yet saved, or if you are not sure, prayers for their salvation should outweigh all other prayers for them. Until they accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will not have the ability or the desire to live a life pleasing to God. Additionally, the promises listed in His word are promises only meant for His children- those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior.

Peace

All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace. -Isaiah 54:13

Ask that God grant them peace in their hearts as they go through their day and in their sleep at night.

Protection

 ...for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. -Isaiah 49:25

 I will lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make we dwell in safety. -Psalm 4:8

Ask that God protect them, both from physical dangers as well as spiritual dangers, that He would keep them safe from harm and evil intent.

 Wisdom and Understanding

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. -Psalm 111:10

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. -James 1:5 

Pray that they will grown in wisdom and understanding, as they grown in their relationship with God. Pray also that they will see value in wisdom and seek it out from more mature believers and from the Word.

 Sense of Purpose

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. -Romans 12:6

Pray for their sense of purpose in this world, that they will discover their gifting and find joy in using it for God's kingdom.

Purity

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. -Matthew 5:8

Pray for their purity and their innocent nature, that God will shelter them from the evil in the world as long as possible. Pray that God will give them the desire to keep their hearts and minds pure in a world full of impurity.

Joy

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. -John 15:10-11

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:11

 Pray that God will fill them with joy that can only be found in a relationship with Him.

Righteousness

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. -James 1:12 

 Pray for their desire for righteousness, that they will withstand the temptations of the world.

Strength

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13

 Pray that God will give them the strength to accomplish what He sets them to do each day.

Courage

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9

Ask that God help them be brave as they face challenges from day to day.

Provision

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 

Ask that God will help supply what they need every day.

Direction

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6 

Pray that God will direct their paths and that as they become more independent from me, they will become more dependent on Him.

Compassion

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32 

Pray that God will give them a compassionate spirit, caring for those in need and who are less fortunate.

Justice

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. -Isaiah 1:17

Ask God to give them a sense of justice, standing for what is right.

Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. -Romans 15:13

 Ask God to give them a deep sense of hope that can only come from Him- the kind that far exceeds anything that this wold could offer and provides glimpses of an eternity with Him.

Love

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. -1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Pray that they are filled to overflowing with the love of God. That they will grow secure in His love for them and in their place in His kingdom. Ask that His love will overflow from them into the lives of others, so that they might share the glorious inheritance they have received.