Praying for Our Children

Summer is finally coming to an end, and as a single parent to a rising sixth grader, I’ve come to realize that I must loosen my grip on my son, while tightening my grip on Christ. I can only sit back and watch as he begins to spread his wings to soar. I can only encourage him to trust God and believe that He will catch him when he falls. I cannot be everywhere to watch over him and protect him, but I know of one who can.

One of the greatest things we can do as parents, next to pointing our children to Christ, is to cover them in prayer. I know that we all pray over our children and loved ones, but today I want to challenge you to pray specifically for your children. To pray with purpose.

Every month has an average of 30 days. Pray a different character trait daily that you want to see the Lord cultivate in your child. Pray a different virtue daily that you desire your child to possess. Pray for purpose, direction, godly friends and leaders over their lives daily. Choose a Scripture that calls out that characteristic or virtue you want to see in your children and personalize it by putting their name in the verse.

My favorite Scripture to pray over my son, and myself, is Jeremiah 29:11 which reads,

“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ “

I pray it this way: “For I know the plans I have for Jonathan, they are plans for his good and not for disaster, to give Jonathan a future and a hope. “

I do this with every Scripture I pray over my son and I encourage him to do the same. A few of my favorites are:

For courage– Deuteronomy 31:6:

I pray Jonathan would be strong and courageous. Jonathan you do not have to be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

For purity– Psalm 51:10:

Create in Jonathan a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him.

For leadership– Philippians 2:3:

Lord, let Jonathan do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, let Jonathan regard others as more important than himself.

Make a list of the virtues, characteristics and promises of God that you want to see fulfilled in the lives of your children. Then, search the Scriptures for the verses you want to pray over your child. Pray a different verse each day of the week for the month. Make each verse personal by calling out your child’s name and creating an atmosphere of faith, believing that God will hear and answer each prayer.

What are the virtues you desire God to cultivate in your children? What Scriptures will align your prayers with the Word of God?