It’s what we do as parents- we pray or we worry and sometimes we do both.
There’s so much we want to do for them- protect, equip, love. And the foundation, the wellspring of all that we do for our children comes out of our relationship with Christ Jesus. A relationship that is saturated with conversation-prayer. I am limited in my abilities and resources to minister to my children. But God is not limited, so I will pray for my children. I started when they were young and continue. My prayers have changed as their needs change, as their world’s change, as they grow.
I would like to share with you some scriptures and some prayers I pray over my children. They are based on Scriptures.
I began putting together verses to pray over my children when they were very young. I’ve added to that list over the years. Many of these prayers are based on Scripture but not word for word scripture, just my prayer based on that verse. Because I have taught on this so much, I will not take the space or your time to repeat it, but if you would like more information you can click on the links at the bottom of this page.
Click here for suggestions on how to use these prayer models.
One of my Favorites to Pray
Father, I thank you for my children. They are precious gifts. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give ______ the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they will know You better. I pray that the eyes of their heart may be enlightened so that they may know the hope to which he has called them, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength. which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. I pray that they will live up to your calling. I pray that they will fulfill the purpose that you placed them on this earth to fill. Ephesians 1:16-19 NIV
Rooted in God’s Love
Father, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen ________ with power through Your Spirit in their inner being. I pray that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that they, being rooted and established in love, may have your power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. I pray that they will know Your love that surpasses knowledge–that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Father I recognize that You are able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)
Guidance
(John 14:26) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
(Proverbs 14:16 NLT) The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence.
Courageous
Father, in the name of Jesus I pray that my children, __________ will be strong and very courageous, that they will carefully obey all your laws, which Moses your servant commanded us. I pray that they will not turn from them, but that they will obey them. Then they will prosper wherever they go. (Joshua 1:7:8)
Understanding Peace
I pray that they will be taught of the Lord. That they will understand your word and obey your word and that their peace will be great. (Based on Isaiah 54:13,14)
Healing
Father I thank you that Jesus was wounded for my children’s transgressions, He was bruised for their iniquities; the chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Repent
I pray that my children will run to you for forgiveness when they sin. I pray that they will not try to hide it because they will not prosper, but I pray that they will repent of their sin and forsake their sins so they will have mercy. (Based on Proverbs 28:13)
Divine Health
Father, I thank you that Jesus not only purchased our salvation, but He paid for our healing. I thank you that my children walk in Divine Health. That every cell and every organ in their body operates in the capacity that you designed for it. I thank you that you have redeemed my children from the curse of the law. (Based on Galatians 3:13 )
Heart to Know God
Father, give my children a heart to know you. I pray that they will be your people and that You will be their God. ((Based on Jer 24:7) Father your words says that “the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32 KJV) Father, I thank you that my children will know you as their God, that they will be strong and that they will do exploits.
Guidance
Teach my children good judgment and knowledge: help them to really believe your commandments. (Based on Ps 119:66) – I pray that the Lord shall guide my children continually and satisfy their soul in drought, and make fat their bones; and that they would be like a watered garden, and like a spring of waters whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
Guidance
I pray that they will go out with joy and be led with peace. (Based on Isaiah 55:12)
Father I thank you that you said, The Lord, our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. I am the Lord our God which teaches you (my children,) _______ to profit, you lead them by the way that they should go. Isaiah 48:17 NKJV
Father, I pray that my children will hear your voice and that they will follow you. (Based on John 10:27)
Wisdom and the ability to do well in school
Father, I thank you that ________ are children in whom there is no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science. They have the ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, places of honor and nobility and they have the ability to learn languages. As for ______ God gives them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. (Based on Daniel 1:4,17)
Favor
Father, according to Ps 5:12 you promised to bless the righteous and surround them with favor like a shield. Father as Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, I pray that my children will increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. (Based on Luke 2:52)
Peace
I pray that my children will not fear. I pray that they will have your peace and that they will be strong. (Based on Daniel 10:19)
Protection
I pray that _______ will dwell in the secret place of the Most High and rest under the shadow of the Almighty. You Lord, are ______’s refuge and their fortress, their God, I pray that they will trust in you. You promised if they would, that You will deliver them from the hidden traps and all kinds of deadly diseases.
91:3 He will cover them with his feathers, and under his wings they will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be their shield and barricade.
91:4 They will not fear the prowler at night, nor violence by day,
91:5 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
91:6 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
91:7 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
91:8 I pray that they will make the Most High their dwelling– even the Lord, who is my refuge–
91:9 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your house.
91:10 Father, I thank you that You will command Your angels concerning my children, to guard them in all their ways;
91:11 they will lift my children up in their hands, so that they will not strike their foot against a stone.
91:12 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
91:14 They will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them.
91:15 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. (Based on Psalms 91:1-15)
Pursue God
Father, I pray that my children will be followers of God as dear children. I pray that they will not be afraid of what their peers say or do to them. Father, I pray that they will seek to please you in all they do, instead of trying to please people. I pray that they will desire to be like Jesus and not the world. (Based on Ephesians 5:1; Psalms 56:4) Father, I pray that ______ will establish you as their number one priority in life. That they will organize their life around that priority and not around their desires. Help them to love you with all their heart and all their soul and all their strength.
Love the Bible
Father, I pray that my children will hide Your Word in their heart and that they will not sin against you. I pray that Your word will be a Stop sign and a wall of protection to keep them from trouble and sin. Father, I pray that my children will delight to do your will because Your law is in their heart. I pray that they will not depart from Your Word but will obey it that it will be well with them. (Based on Psalms 119:11; Psalms 40:8)
Careful what they see
I pray that my children will not set any evil thing before their eyes. I pray that they will guard their heart with all diligence. That they will flee youthful lusts. I pray that they will never smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take drugs. Father, I pray that you will keep them pure sexually and morally. I pray that they will be an example of the believers in word, in charity, in spirit and in truth. Father, give them the courage to stand up for what is right and to do right even when it is easier to do wrong. I pray that You will give them the power to overcome through the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Help my children to be fruitful unto every good work. Father, help them to guard their thoughts. I pray that the words of their mouth and the meditation of their heart will be acceptable in your sight. (Based on Psalms 101:3; Psalms 19:14; 1 Timothy 4:12)
A special promise for Parents
Father you said in Isaiah 59:21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.
Protection
(Isaiah 49: 25) The last part of verse 25 says that You will contend with him who contends with you, and You will give safety to my children and ease them. Father, I thank you for protecting my children and giving them safety. I thank you for protecting them from wrong influences, wrong situations, violence and disease. Father, I thank you that the Angels of the Lord surround them and keep them in all their ways. I thank you that no weapon that is formed against them shall prosper. Every tongue that rises against them You will condemn.
Blessed
Father, I thank you that ________ are blessed because they do not walk in the council of the ungodly, they do not stand in the way of sinners. They do not sit in the seat of the scornful. Help them that their delight will be in the law of the Lord. Help them to meditate on your Word day and night. Father, I thank you that ______ are like a tree planted by the rivers of water. They bring forth fruit in their seasons. Their leaf shall not wither and everything they do shall prosper. (Based on Psalms 1:1-3)
Speak Right Things
And Father, I thank you that you are with _____’s mouth and you are teaching them what they should say. Just as you were with Moses and Aaron’s mouth, I pray that their words will always be filled with grace and seasoned with the salt of thoughtfulness, so they will bring encouragement to the hearers.
Pour Your Spirit on my children
Father, I thank you that you promised in Isaiah 44:3 that you would pour Your Spirit upon my seed, and your blessing on my children. I believe you to pour Your Spirit on them and bless them.
Peace
Also Father, I pray that my children would behave and quiet themselves. You said that the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever. (Based on Psalms 131:2; Job 34:29)
Bless your children with your words.
22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 ” ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ‘ 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27)
All verses are taken from the NIV version unless otherwise noted.
How to use these Scriptures:
- Select specific verses to pray according to need.
- Select specific verses to pray according to desired results.
- Ask God to help you pray according to His will and what He sees.
- Select a verse or several verses that seem to jump out at you.
- Pray all the verses.
Why should you pray Scriptures?
- My mind wanders when I pray. All kinds of things come to mind when I start praying. I want to stay focused and spend time with my dear friend. Scripture helps me focus on the answer beyond the problem.
- The Bible is God’s will. I want to pray in faith. Not just whine about my problems. (1 John 5:14 NLT) “And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.” The scriptures are His will, so when I pray the scriptures I am praying according to His will. My faith is stronger when my prayer is based on scripture.
- When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He said (Matthew 6:9 NLT) “Pray like this” and then continued with the Lord’s Prayer. I pray Paul’s prayers from Ephesians 1 and Ephesians 3 and the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:22-27. There are numerous prayers that can be used as a guide or prayer model.
- In Matthew 6 Jesus gave an example; not words to parrot. I use His examples from scripture and pray them, not just other people’s prayers, but things that I want to see changed in my life. For example in Ephesians 5:2 Paul says follow God’s example in everything you do, so I pray “Father, help me follow your example in everything I do.”
