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Praying for Your Children: 14 Powerful Prayers

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Children are indeed a precious blessing bestowed upon us by the Lord. When life’s obstacles and trials loom ahead, it’s natural to feel concerned about the well-being and future of our little ones. However, it’s comforting to know that we have the ability to seek solace in prayer for the children dear to us, as well as for those across the globe who may be grappling with adversity. Additionally, we find reassurance in the fact that the Holy Spirit acts as our advocate, offering support and guidance in times of need, reminding us that we are never truly alone in our journey.

Praying for children holds immense power for parents, caregivers, and those with compassionate hearts. It is natural to turn to prayer during moments of concern for our children’s future. This unique selection of prayers serves as a powerful tool to uplift your children to the caring embrace of our Heavenly Father. We can find many scriptures in God’s Word to turn to when praying for our children.

Philippians 4:6-7 emphasizes the importance of prayer in protecting the hearts and minds of both ourselves and our children.

photo of mom praying with young daughter with the text praying for your children 14 powerful prayers

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

I recall discovering a prayer method many years back when my son was just a young child, and I appreciate how it influenced me as a new parent. The guidance was straightforward and applicable – utilize Ephesians 3:14-19 as a framework for praying for your loved ones.

As our children are all adults,  my prayers for them remain steadfast. Drawing inspiration from specific verses in the Scriptures has not only guided my prayers with clarity and consistency. Still, it has also shaped the profound aspirations I cherish in my heart for them. I anticipate that I will continue to intercede for these blessings in my children’s lives for the entirety of my days.

 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)

You likely already pray for your children. After all, you love Jesus, and you love your children. You know prayer is important.

You probably pray for them before a big test or sports game, when they’re not feeling well, or perhaps when they are crying over hurt feelings or a boo-boo.

Just as important as praying regularly for your child is praying strategically. Praying the Word of God for your child’s life is important.

Here are 14 simple prayers you can pray on a daily basis on behalf of our children to help them love God and grow in their faith. Consider it your spiritual warrior’s prayer guide when praying for your young and adult children.

Praying for Your Children: Powerful Prayers

Prayer For A Saving Knowledge Of Jesus

Praying for your children’s salvation is a powerful and deeply meaningful act of love and faith. As a parent, your prayers can serve as a source of strength, guidance, and protection for your children as they navigate their spiritual journey. By lifting up your child in prayer, you entrust them to a higher power and seek divine intervention in their life. Your heartfelt prayers can create a sense of peace and hope, knowing that you are actively seeking the best for your child’s spiritual well-being. May your prayers for your child’s salvation be filled with love, faith, and unwavering belief in the power of divine grace. Your child’s salvation is the best thing you could ever give them.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth

2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
Praying for Your Children: 14 Powerful Prayers 1

Prayer for Your Child’s Protection

Find solace in the knowledge that our divine Creator holds complete authority over every aspect of our lives and that we are cherished as children of the Almighty. Reflect on the comforting assurance that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Lord Jesus, we exalt you for your sovereignty over all things. I humbly ask for your protection over my child. Grant them good health and guide them towards flourishing. I am grateful that you are intimately aware of every detail about them, from the number of hairs on their head to their every move. Please oversee every aspect of my child’s life and safeguard them, I pray, Amen.

Prayer For A Repentant Heart

Praying for a repentant heart for your child is a powerful act of love and guidance. It involves asking for divine intervention to instill in your child a sense of remorse for any wrongdoings, as well as a desire to seek forgiveness and make amends. By praying for a repentant heart, you are not only seeking spiritual growth for your child but also fostering a sense of accountability and empathy. It is a way to teach them the importance of self-reflection, humility, and the courage to admit mistakes. Ultimately, praying for a repentant heart for your child is a gesture of faith in their ability to learn, grow, and become a better person.

Dear Father, teach my child to recognize his sin and repent from it. May his heart be softened before you and may he turn away from the sin he has committed and run back to you.

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out

Acts 3:19 (ESV)

Prayer For A Heart That Hides His Word

Praying for a heart in your child that hides the Word of God is a powerful and meaningful practice for many parents and caregivers. Instilling a love for scripture and spiritual teachings in young hearts can have a profound impact on their growth and development. By nurturing a child’s connection to God’s word, we can help them build a strong foundation of faith, values, and guidance that will stay with them throughout their lives. Through prayer and intentional teaching, we can cultivate a heart that is receptive to the wisdom and love found in the Word of God.

Father, God please give my child a desire for your Word. Please help me to show my kids just how precious Your Word is and to teach them to love it. Give them a desire deep in their hearts to read it, memorize it, hold it close, and live by it. May they abide in You, even as Your Word abides in them.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:4 (ESV)

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Prayers for children’s futures

Praying for children’s future is a powerful and heartfelt practice that many individuals and communities engage in to offer blessings, protection, and guidance to the young ones in our society. As adults, parents, teachers, and caregivers, we understand the importance of nurturing and supporting the next generation as they navigate the complexities of life. Through prayer, we express our hopes and dreams for children to grow up in a world filled with love, kindness, opportunity, and success. It is a way to channel positive energy and intentions towards shaping a bright and promising future for our children, empowering them to thrive and make a positive impact on the world.

Amid life’s uncertainties, be grateful that God has positive intentions for your children. According to Jeremiah 29:11, it is stated:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Dear Divine Creator, I express my gratitude for the abundance of blessings that originate from you. I am thankful for the assurance that I can rely on you for the well-being of my family ahead. I humbly ask for your guidance over my child’s journey. May they feel your care and safeguarding presence at all times. May their path be stable and secure under your watchful eye. Amen.

Prayers for babies and newborns

Babies are truly a cherished blessing. We are grateful to God, who is the creator and provider of life. As mentioned in Psalm 139:13, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb,” we are reminded of the beauty of life and the divine hand behind it all.

Dear Lord, we express our gratitude for the blessing of new life. We are thankful for the safe arrival of this precious baby into our midst. Our prayer is for this little one to rest peacefully and be shielded from any harm. We ask for your blessings to be upon this child as they journey through life. May they be safeguarded and grow in safety and strength in the days, months, and years to come. Grant us the grace and fortitude to navigate the joys and challenges of caring for a newborn infant. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
Praying for your children

Prayer To Understand Their Value 

Praying for children to understand their value is a powerful and heartfelt act that can have a profound impact on their self-esteem and sense of worth. In a world where children are constantly bombarded with messages that may undermine their confidence and worth, instilling in them a deep understanding of their intrinsic value is essential. By praying for children to grasp their unique gifts, talents, and the love that surrounds them, we are helping to nurture their self-respect and belief in themselves. Through these prayers, we aim to empower children to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and a strong sense of self-worth.

Dear God, You created my precious child in Your image with a unique purpose. You have called him to Your ways. I ask, Lord, that You would help him see his tremendous worth and value in You and that he would understand he has a purpose. Father, equip him to do the things You’ve prepared for him to do and help me to encourage him in these gifts.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Prayers for children’s friendships

As highlighted in these verses from the Bible discussing friendship, relationships are indeed a precious blessing. Pause for a moment to offer a prayer for your child, wishing for them to experience the uplifting presence of a good friend in their life.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil

Ecclesiastes 4:9 (ESV)

Dear God, I am grateful that you designed us to thrive in relationships with others. I ask for your blessings upon my child, that they may experience abundant care and support from those in their life. May they find strength and encouragement from their friends at school, college, or university. May they be a beacon of your love and compassion within their circle of friends. Amen.

Prayer To Fear The Lord

Praying for your children to fear the Lord is a powerful and loving act of devotion. Instilling a reverence for God in your children’s hearts can shape their character, guide their decisions, and bring them closer to spiritual fulfillment. By seeking the Lord’s protection and wisdom for your children, you are nurturing their spiritual growth and helping them develop a strong foundation of faith. Through prayer, you can entrust your children to God’s care, knowing that His love and guidance will always be with them.

Sweet Father, teach my child not just to love you, but to fear you. May she always remember that You are sovereign and good, just and true, mighty and omnipotent. Teach her heart to fear you in a loving, healthy way. Show her how to walk in a way that pleases you, even as a young child.

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Proverbs 28: 14 (ESV)

Prayers for children’s education

Let us give thanks to the divine Creator for the educational paths opened up for your child! May we seek blessings for them to embrace the beauty and mysteries of the world. Let us also request that they cultivate a genuine passion for acquiring knowledge. As written in Proverbs 2:6, “For the Lord bestows wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV)

Dear God, I am grateful for the blessing of knowledge that you have bestowed upon us. I admire how you have equipped us with the ability to think critically and explore the wonders of the world. I humbly ask for your guidance in nurturing my child’s learning journey so that they may thrive. May they uncover their special abilities and talents, and may they cultivate a deep curiosity for the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer To Hunger For God

Praying for your child to hunger for God is a powerful way to nurture their spiritual growth and connection with their faith. Instilling a desire for God in your child can lead to a deep and meaningful relationship with the divine, guiding them through life’s challenges and triumphs. By praying for this hunger for God, you are setting the foundation for your child to seek wisdom, love, and guidance from a source greater than themselves, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their spiritual journey.

Lord God, it’s hard to love You more than anything. My kids are growing up in a world that is constantly vying for their affections and tempting their hearts. I ask, Lord, that You would help them guard their hearts and that they would love You more than anything else. God, let them see that nothing this world offers compares to Your goodness and Your love. May they never be satisfied when they chase things that aren’t from You, but may they always find peace and joy in Your presence.

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:9 (ESV)

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Prayer To Love People

Praying for your child to love people as the Lord does is a powerful and heartfelt intention that many parents hold close to their hearts. Teaching children to see others with compassion, kindness, and understanding is a valuable lesson that can shape their character and influence their interactions with the world around them. By instilling in them the values of empathy, forgiveness, and respect, parents can help their children develop a deep sense of love and connection towards others, mirroring the unconditional love that the Lord has for all of His children. Through prayer and guidance, parents can nurture a spirit of love and acceptance in their children, encouraging them to embrace diversity, show kindness, and spread love wherever they go.

Heavenly Father, You have called us to love others. I ask that You help me live this example before my kids and also that You give them a heart of compassion, grace, and forgiveness for others. Please, Lord, give them a love for others out of obedience to You, but also a genuine heart to see others come to salvation.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”Prayers for teens

John 15:12 (ESV)

Navigating the teenage years can present its challenges. We offer this prayer as a source of encouragement for you to lift up your teenager in prayer, that they may experience God’s steadfastness amidst both the difficulties and the moments of happiness.

Dear Jesus, I humbly ask for your blessings upon my teenage child. May they recognize and embrace your kindness and support. Help them find their true identity in you. Grant them the strength to lean on you as their solid foundation amidst life’s challenges. Please provide them with guidance, comfort, and wisdom as they navigate through school, exams, and important decisions. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13  (ESV)

Prayers from the Bible

As we delve into the teachings of the Bible, we are reminded that we do not have to rely solely on our own wisdom. There are numerous devotional prayers available that we can utilize to pray for and with our children. Proverbs 22:6 emphasizes the importance of raising children in the right path: “Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Similarly, with prayers, when we instill these sacred prayers in a child’s life, they will carry the memory of them into adulthood.

 “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
    Be our arm every morning,
    our salvation in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 33:2 (ESV)

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24–26  (ESV)

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

Psalm 25:4-5 (ESV)

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,
what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:15–23 (ESV)

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!

Psalm 119:26 (ESV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23  (ESV)

Your Prayers Matter, Mama

Dear, precious mama…your prayers matter. And your prayers leave a lasting impression upon your children’s lives. Even when they don’t see you praying for them, they will know its effect on their lives. Even if you don’t see the fruit of your prayers, don’t give up. Keep praying for them (Galatians 6:9). 

A mother’s prayers hold a special significance in many cultures and faiths around the world. The love, care, and selflessness that mothers embody make their prayers powerful and heartfelt. A mother’s prayers often reflect her deepest hopes and wishes for her children, family, and loved ones. These prayers can provide comfort, guidance, and a sense of protection, creating a spiritual connection that transcends distance and time. The sincerity and strength of a mother’s prayers are believed by many to have a profound impact, offering support and blessings in times of joy as well as in moments of difficulty and challenges.

Your prayers will demonstrate to your children that you are a household of faith and will provide daily encouragement to them all the days of their lives.

The impression that a praying mother leaves upon her children is life-long. Perhaps when you are dead and gone your prayer will be answered. ~~ D.L. Moody

Begin praying for your kids even in their infancy. It’s never too early to begin covering them in prayer; your prayers are powerful weapons of warfare, according to Ephesians 6. They are mighty and will affect your children’s eternity. Hold fast, pray, read the Word, and trust your children into God’s hands. You will be their first and lifelong prayer warrior. It is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent.

If you love praying for your kids and want to continue to pray for your family, be sure to also check out the praying for your husband challenge .

Did you know that Woman of Noble Character has a shop? Yes! And we have an awesome array of printables including matching games and 30 days of prayer for kids plus more! Check it out here or by clicking the image below.

display of kids printables for the woman of noble character shop

You may enjoy this video by Focus on the Family: How to be a Prayer Warrior for Your Children – Dr. Erwin Lutzer

Or one of these highly recommended resources:

The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian

The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian

Praying the Scriptures for Your Children by Jodie Berndt

This post was converted from an original post on this site by Lisa Yvonne. Lisa Yvonne loves Jesus. and is a wife, mom of 8, encourager of women at Graceful Abandon, and avid cappuccino drinker.

For ways to teach your child about God at any age, see this post.

ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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