Have you been seeking sample prayers for your children to pray over them as they navigate this earthly journey? Keep reading for several powerful daily prayers you can pray for your children and with your children.
Becoming a parent is one of the greatest blessings from the Lord and the joys and struggles of becoming a parent forces you to depend heavily on your Heavenly Father.
Knowing all they might face in life, you may face the temptation to worry about these little ones entrusted to you. Fear or worry can swarm your mind when your child is in their tiniest state when you are learning how to be a new parent. Worry can still come when they are fully grown and on their own.
What is the first line of defense against fear and worry for our children? Prayer. As parents, one of our most powerful opportunities in parenthood is to pray over our children, but sometimes we need guidance. So, if you need some ideas for prayers for children, below are some examples to get you started.
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Why We Should Pray Over Our Children
We already said prayer is the first defense against fear and worry in parenting, but why should we pray over them? How does prayer help against this worry? We worry because we want to have control and protect our kids.
Thankfully, we know that our children do not belong to us. Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV) says,
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
From this verse, you can sense that children are a gift from the Lord. They are His children, first and foremost. Prayer allows us, as parents, to surrender control unto the Lord trusting Him with the care of our children. Parents can pray over a child’s success, protection, health, salvation, and future spouse. Let us get into some of those short prayers for children, below.
Powerful prayers for your children
Praying for your children is one of the most . When you pray for your children consider where they are in life and what stages they are currently traveling in development. Whether you are praying for your young children or your adult children these prayers for your children are an encouragement and a great way to add praying for your children to your daily routine. One additional way to make a huge impact on your child’s life is to make sure to pray God’s word over them!
Prayer for children’s success
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of my children. I pray over their future success using the giftings you have given them. You have equipped my children with gifts and talents to honor and worship you. I pray you would help me to teach them to be good stewards of those gifts to become successful in your eyes. My prayer is that they would look for satisfaction in you alone rather than in the things of the world. Please help me develop children who value what you value instead of looking for success in the eyes of the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayers for children’s safety and protection
This world can be a dangerous place, be we can teach our children to walk in power, love and a strong mind my showing them how we pray against the spirit of fear and for protection and safety. These prayers for your children’s protection are short and powerful.
Father, in my flesh, I am prone to worry. I can worry about the safety of my children in a world full of brokenness and hurt. Instead, I surrender my children to you, recognizing they are yours first. I trust you for their safety, as I know I cannot control every circumstance surrounding them. I ask for the courage to trust you with my babies. I trust your infinite wisdom and strength to hold and keep them, even when I cannot. I ask for the wisdom to know when to step in and when to let go. Please help me protect my children with the strength and wisdom I gain from you, not myself. Thank you for my intuition as a parent. I ask your help to parent them well, even in an uncertain world. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Father God, I know you hold each of us in the hollow of your hand and that is no different for my child. Father, as my child is away from me and outside my watchful eye I am sure that they are in your care. Thank you for keeping my child as they travel to and from! I pray that you would keep them shielded from those who would do evil to my child. Protect them from dangers seen and unseen. Protect their heart from spiritual attacks and allow them to grow into the person that you would have them to be. I ask this in the might name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer for Children as they return to school
Once a place of safety, schools have become places where the physical and spiritual souls of are children are in danger. Praying for your children and all children as they return to school can help ease your concern as a parent and remind you and your children that the Lord is walking with them every step of the way.
Almighty God, the school year is beginning again and we pray for your covering over all children as they enter into this new school year. I pray that their minds will be open to receive the knowledge from their teachers, I pray that they walk with a heart of compassion and share your love with those around them. I pray that you watch over them as they travel to and from school.
O Lord, I also pray for those who are in any way teaching the next generation. I pray that you would provide for them so they do not worry about sustenance. I pray that you would fill their minds with knowledge as they seek the truth. I pray that they would be compassionate as they take charge of the children, I pray that they would be covered and brave! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Prayer for Child’s Health
We must pray for our children’s health, not only physical but emotional and spiritual too. Whether your child is currently dealing with a sickness or your prayer is preventive, this prayer for your children’s health can be an encouragement to your soul.
Christ Jesus, among Scriptures to pray over my children, Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV) comes to mind as it says, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” As I pray for health over my children, I include this passage. I pray they would seek and find wisdom in you, fearing the Lord, and turning from evil. As they do so, I pray that you might grant them health and joy in serving and following you. I know we do not live in a perfect world, and I cannot keep my children from experiencing physical hurt or illness. I pray that when they experience these things, they find strength and healing in you. I pray against diseases and major injuries while trusting you to be the Great Physician to meet their physical needs in whatever comes their way. I trust you to grant them healing and grace when they need it most. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Prayer for Child’s Salvation
One of our greatest successes and the deepest hope of our hearts as a Christian parent is to raise children who know the Lord, build a relationship with him, and choose him as their Lord and savior. This beautiful prayer for your child’s salvation is one of every Jesus believing parent’s greatest desire.
Dear God, knowing my children will spend eternity with you is my greatest desire for them. I specifically pray for wisdom and guidance to lead my children to know and love you. Please help me to teach them to love and understand your Word. Grant me the ability to teach the Gospel in a way that my children understand and can someday make their own decision to make Jesus their Lord and Savior. I thank you that the Gospel has given me new life, and I pray my children would experience the same joy and freedom in serving and knowing you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Prayer for Future Spouse
We may not know the path the lives of our children will take, but praying for their future is a powerful way to cover them with God’s promises. Praying on behalf of our children for their future spouses is a way to connect with God’s plan for their future and to cover those children as well!
Father, I know time moves quickly, and my children will be grown before I can blink. With that in mind, I pray over their future relationships and future spouses. I ask that you would give my children discernment in their relationships, obey what you ask of them in Scripture, and choose a spouse that has chosen Jesus, as well. As I prayed for protection over my children, I prayed for protection over my child’s future spouse. Please bring people into their lives to disciple and lead them well so they might be ready to meet my child when it is your time. Thank you for the gift of marriage. I pray that my husband and I would provide a solid example of biblical marriage that my children might want to replicate as they come of age. Please help us to teach our children to honor you in all relationships and especially in romantic relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Also Read: Fighting for Love: 5 Powerful Prayers for Marriage
Powerful Scriptures to pray over your children
Praying scriptures is not only a powerful prayer strategy, but it is also a deeply personal and transformative practice. By using the power of the word of God, you are able to present your specific requests before Him, knowing that His promises are true and His love is unwavering. The following bible verses can be incorporated into your daily prayer journal, allowing you to reflect on them and meditate on their profound meaning.
Alternatively, you can write them out on elegant stationary and place them in visible locations, such as your desk or bedside table, to serve as a constant reminder of God’s protection and faithfulness and the importance of interceding for your children. By immersing yourself in these sacred words, you create a sacred space where you can connect with God and experience His presence in a more profound and intimate way.
These scriptures can also be used to help develop the prayer life of your child. You can teach your child to pray these scriptures over their own life by helping them first putting the scriptures into their own words and then using that as a prayer to God. Not only will this help you influence your child’s spiritual life and all the days of their lives, but it will also be an opportunity for you to create a memory with them.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Who is the man that fears the LORD? He himself shall dwell in prosperity and his descendants shall inherit the earth. Psalm 25:12-13
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
As for you, if you walk before me faithfully, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that he has commanded him… 1 Kings 9:4
“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:24
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Jesus said: ‘Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Prayers for Children to Impact Their Future
If you believe prayer has power and can change circumstances or people, make it a priority to pray regularly over your children. You can pray over their current stage of life as well as what might come to them in the future. Pray for wisdom, joy, peace, and surrender to Christ for your children. Pray they would come to know Jesus and serve Him all their days. You can pray over their relationships, career choices, as well as their future children.
Whatever you pray for, seek to bring prayers for children into your quiet time with the Lord. Then, once you pray, trust the Lord to carry and sustain your children like only He can.
Written By: Brittany Thieman
Being a working mom is challenging, and the pressure to “do it all” can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, we can learn from Scripture and from other moms to live out our callings while keeping the Gospel at the center of our homes.
My name is Brittany, and I work as a Director of Operations for a company and run a small business while raising my two young daughters and baby boy on the way. My husband is a pastor, and we just recently relocated from North Carolina to Texas for a new church position. The Lord has taught us much in this busy and tiring season. I hope to encourage other mamas in their journey toward pursuing Christ in the messiness, beauty, and fatigue of motherhood.
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