Praying Over Our Children

Children are a gift - an amazing blessing from God.  

Every single day we may find ourselves doing a lot for our kids, loving and caring for them, nurturing, teaching, training, helping, leading, equipping, encouraging, protecting, and so much more.

We spend precious hours just living out life, helping with homework, and driving them to activities.

But in the midst of busy, full lives, we have to ask ourselves: Are we praying for our children?  

I mean, really praying specific, powerful, promise-filled, hope-inspired prayers for our children. Are we praying God’s powerful Word and promises over our children's lives?  I’m freshly aware, and challenged to pray more.

There’s a battle over our families today, and the enemy would love nothing more than to destroy all that we hold dear in this life. He’s ruthless and cunning, deceitful and sly. He’ll attack when we’re not watching, he’ll do everything he can to lure our kids his way. Don’t let him win.

Prayer is essential over our children and families, in order to stay alert, aware, and discerning of God’s voice, as well as to stand against the attacks of the enemy in our lives. We should never underestimate the importance of speaking blessing and truth over their lives. Prayer is powerful and his words are true. 

Here are some simple prayers to pray over your child no matter what age or stage they are at. With each prayer is a verse to proclaim. Speak it out loud and trust God to work on the heart of the child you are praying for.

Pray that your child would let God transform their life

“I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7).

Life change is what we all desire to see in our child. We want the old to be made new. And we want our children to walk in truth. We can force our children to follow rules and tow the line. But there will come a day when they will step outside the boundary of home and decide for themselves what the rules look like.

Rather than pray that they would obey a list of unwritten rules, pray that they would let God grab hold of their hearts and mold it into the masterpiece He wants them to become.

Pray that your child would get caught of doing right

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3).

Just as much as you pray that your child would get caught doing wrong, pray they would get caught doing right. Children are a result of what they believe they are. If they believe they are worthless, they will respond with actions that lack value.

But when we see them doing right and tell them what a great job they are doing, they will be more prone to want to continue doing right. Praise goes a long way.

Pray that your child would make wise choices in the face of peer pressure

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Peer pressure is not something new. We had to deal with it growing up too. The sins are the same, just with different ways to access them. Pray that your child would stand strong against the pressure to give in and let other people sway their beliefs and decisions.

Pray that your child’s mind would be protected from evil

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Protection is something we seem to naturally ask God for when it comes to the people we love. We can put kids in a bubble and guard them for a while, but eventually they will emerge and live in the real world.

Pray that God would do the protecting while you do the preparing. Prepare them to live in the real world and trust God to protect them from the forces of evil.

Pray that your child would love the Lord with their heart, soul, and mind.

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37).

This is a challenge for most people so it should be no surprise that it’s a challenge for our kids. Ask God to specifically help your child love God with all their heart, soul, and mind. This covers their entire being.

I know this may overwhelm you as you think of all the things you want for your child. But if you invest in this one area, you are doing an amazing thing.

Take time to let your child hear you pray.  God hears and wants the best for your child. Just ask Him.

May God help us to grow in prayer for our children as we invest in eternity.

Our beautifully designed version of The Lord's Prayer is the perfect way to teach your special little one this all-important prayer.

Read last week's Mommy Moments: Ways To Make Our Little Ones Feel Loved