At the end of that post I invited readers to join together in praying for mothers everywhere so that we would step up to our God-given responsibility of nurturing our children the way God designed them to be.
Since that time I've put together a list of 31 ways that we can pray for our children along with scripture verses to guide us in truth. That's one for every day of the month!
- Pray that you parent your children with patience and persistence. Ask God for wisdom in discipline.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. ~ James 1:19, NIV - While your children are growing, pray often for their salvation, as the prophet Isaiah wrote,
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. ~ Isaiah 45:8 - Give children age appropriate responsibilities, praying that they will learn the value of stewardship. Teach them to appreciate all that we have as a gift from the Lord.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. ~ Titus 2:7, ESV - Pray against the influence of peer pressure. Ask God to help you in developing your child’s unique character and purpose.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ~ Ephesians 6:11&12, NIV - Pray that God will help your child to speak wisely and bridle her tongue that it might be used effectively.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ~ Ephesians 4:29, NIV - Pray that your child will see the value and importance of modesty. That they may represent themselves as holy and acceptable servants of the Lord.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4, NIV - Pray that you guide your children toward a healthy level of self-esteem. Not an attitude that is driven by pride, but by who he is in Jesus Christ.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ~ Psalm 139:13&14, NIV - Pray that your children are compassionate and charitable. That they desire to live beyond themselves.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~ Colossians 3:12-14 - Pray asking that your children will have a heart to please God, and walk in His ways. As the Psalmist wrote:
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ~ Psalm 19:10, NIV - Pray over your children when they are sleeping. Place your hopes and dreams for their future in the hands of our Lord.
"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." ~ Jermiah 29:11, NIV - Start a prayer journal with your children so that you can guide them and teach them the power of prayer. Pray together as a family often.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV - Pray with a heart of gratitude for the little things that go unnoticed. The way that her arms feel when she gives you a hug, the smile he gives you each morning as you approach his crib, the way it feels when he grabs your hand…
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV - Read the Bible together and pray about the lessons therein that God might strengthen you as a spiritual leader.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11, KJV - Pray that your child will value family connections.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~ James 1:27, NIV - Pray for ways that you might communicate Biblical principles to your child. And that your child will accept the Word of God as applicable for today.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21, NIV - Pray that the time you share with your children will be of great value. That they might learn spiritual and life lessons from you.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6, NIV - Pray that your children will have a desire and see the importance of attending church. That they would desire to assemble together and work as one with the body of Christ.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:24&25, KJV - Pray that they will cherish the golden rule. That they would be willing to lend a hand when help is needed and to treat others with love and respect.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12, NIV - Pray that your children would recognize the glory of God, and the hand of their Creator in the world around them.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ~ Psalm 19:1&2, NIV - Pray that your children will find their joy in the Lord. That they will learn to be thankful in all things, choosing joy over sorrow.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV - Pray that you will be an example of love and kindness to your children. An example that reflects the love of Jesus in all that you do.
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ~ Luke 6:38, NIV - Pray that your children understand the love of God toward mankind in that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might be saved.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16, KJV - Pray for a heart of purity in growing children. That they will stand strong against temptation and lust. That she might see her body as the temple of the Holy Ghost and present it as holy and acceptable to the Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me ~ Psalm 51:10 - Pray that your child isn’t drawn in by the deceitfulness of money, but lives in such a way that he might attain an eternal reward.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8&9, KJV - Pray with thanksgiving for the blessings He has bestowed on you through your child.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~ Psalm 100:3&4, KJV - Pray for the spiritual welfare of your children with your spouse or a friend.
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. ~ Matthew 18:18-20, NIV - Enlighten your children to the world around them by supporting missions and teaching them that there is a world both hungry for food and hungry for God. Pray that they will have a heart for missions.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ~ Matthew 25:34-36, NIV - Pray that your children will grow strong in their faith as they adhere to the word of God.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17, KJV - Pray that your child will develop and meek and quiet spirit.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ~ Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV - Pray that your child will develop a hunger for the Word of God and the wisdom to understand it.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15, NIV - Pray that your children will grow in respect, submitting to those who are placed in positions of authority.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ~ 1 Peter 2:13&14, NIV
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