This world can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to our children. As believers in Christ, we have hope in our Savior no matter what the circumstances may be, and as parents, we want to pass on those same values and truths so that our children will walk in His ways without falling prey to the increasing darkness.
Prayer is a powerful facet of the Christian walk God has graciously given us. However, we can struggle at times in finding the words to say and the petitions to ask of the Lord regarding our children. How do we navigate these times as Christian parents, and how can we specifically pray for our children? Here are some areas to help you in your prayers for your children.
I recently saw a social media post that really encouraged me and others. Dustin Benge shared a post titled “7 Things to pray for your children.” After reading through the list, I shared this post and found many others were encouraged and challenged by this post.
The list stuck with me so much that I wanted to share it further and dig into Scripture for each prayer point. Personally, when I think about the state of our nation and our world, I do have concerns for my children and those concerns can easily turn into anxious thoughts.
But the Word of God is comforting, bringing peace and joy amidst turmoil. God has ordained for our children to be born in this time, and as their parents, we have been entrusted to be stewards over them. Prayer is an important part of that stewardship.
Here are the seven things to pray for your children: salvation in Christ, discernment in life, selflessness in service, love in friendships, victory in temptations, joy in suffering, and boldness in truth.
How Do We Pray for Our Children?
1. We pray for our children’s salvation in Christ alone. We understand that we cannot save our children. It is God who does the work in salvation. We know Ephesians 2:8 assures us it is by the grace of God we are saved.
Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and it is important for us to not only pray for our children to be saved but to also share the good news of the gospel with them every chance we get.
We can ask the Father that our children would be drawn by Him to the Son (John 6:44). We can pray that they will hear the voice of the Shepherd and they will follow Him (John 10:27). This comes through hearing the Word of Christ, the gospel (Romans 10:17).
We can trust in the Lord, knowing it is the Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life (John 6:39,44). Pray for your children’s salvation in Christ, and trust that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). When our children are professing believers in Christ, we can pray for the areas following salvation.
2. We want our children to have proper discernment in life as they go out into the world. We pray that they are not conformed to this world. Rather, we want them to have renewed minds and to test things so that they can discern the will of God (Romans 12:2).
Matthew 7:24 tells of those who build their house on the rock. This involves wisdom and proper discernment. As children of light, we are to try and discern what is pleasing to the Lord while not participating in the ways of unbelievers (Ephesians 5:10). Pray for your children to have discernment in life.
3. Selflessness in service was modeled by Jesus Christ and is how we are to conduct ourselves. Jesus said that He came to serve. He humbled Himself by becoming a servant, and we are called to serve.
Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” We are instructed in Philippians to look to the best interests of others along with our own. Pray for your children to be selfless in serving others.
Love is at the crux of our faith in Christ. Love is not simply an emotion, but it is seen in action. 1 Corinthians 13 is a beautiful reminder of how we are to love one another. This love is to be evident in our friendships.
4. We pray that our children love their friends as Christ has taught and that they would do unto others as they would have done unto them (Luke 6:31). Jesus instructed His disciples to love one another as He had loved them (John 15:12-15).
Love forgives and sacrifices. Love is intertwined with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). Pray for your children to demonstrate love in friendships.
5. Regarding temptations, Christ has given us victory over the power of sin and over those things that lead us away from walking in the righteousness provided by God. Jesus provided to His disciples in Matthew 6:13 a specific way to pray, which included a petition to not be led into temptation and to be delivered from evil.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
We can be confident praying according to the Word of God for our children when they are saved that they will persevere in trials and temptations so that they will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). Pray for your children to have victory in temptations.
6. Suffering can be a difficult area when praying for our children. We do not want them to suffer, but we understand that Jesus promised those who follow Him would endure suffering. We ask the Father to strengthen our children in difficult times and to look upward in the hope of Jesus Christ.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
We can teach our children to rejoice in sufferings and to recognize the fruit produced in this, praising God that we are worthy enough to suffer as our beloved Savior. Pray for your children to have joy in suffering.
7. Our children are not only to know the truth but to proclaim the truth. The truth is desperately needed now in our society. This can be challenging and intimidating. However, the Holy Spirit is faithful to give our children the words to say at the right time and to be uncompromising in the truth.
They are to have hope in Christ leading to boldness (2 Corinthians 3:12). The early church in Acts demonstrated what it meant to be filled with boldness in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:31; 28:31). This is for all believers to continue to do. Pray for your children to share the truth with boldness.
Salvation Is First, The Rest Will Follow
Prayer is such an important part of our Christian walk. Our children need prayer daily, and they need instruction originating from the Word of God. Lift up your children to the Lord in prayer and pray for them to be a light in the world glorifying Jesus Christ, bearing good fruit, and persevering in their faith.
For further reading:
How Are Children Gifts from God?
Prayer for Children: Pray for and with Your Children
How Did Jesus Interact with Children? Meaning and Significance
6 Truths about How to Model Faith for Your Children
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/monkeybusinessimages
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
