I don't know about you, but if I don't make a plan for what to pray for my kids then my default prayer is, "Keep them safe."
John A Shedd is credited with the famous quote, "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
As we get older, we begin to realize there's a lot more to life than bubble wrapping ourselves and staying out of harm's way. There are giftings to be discovered, a calling to understand, underlying purpose in our actions to grasp, and depth in relationships that we need to forge.
God has entrusted your child to your care to lead them, inspire them, encourage them, correct them, and pray for them. Here's a list of things you can pray for your kids. I recommend putting them somewhere you will see them and pray through one each day of the week.
Monday- The Gift of Wisdom
"Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9
Our kids are fed knowledge at school but wisdom comes from God. It's the ability to see beyond the surface level and understand how to honor God with our decisions.
Father, I'm asking that you give _________ wisdom in everything they do. Help them to reflect Your heart in the decisions they make. May they stand out from their peers as someone who knows You and understands Your ways.
Tuesday- Spirit of Excellence
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. Daniel 6:3
The grace of God enables us to do far more than our natural capabilities. When our kids realize that God will help them live out the good plans He has for their lives, the sky becomes the limit.
Father, I pray that _______________ would have a spirit of excellence. They wouldn’t just settle for status quo, but I pray you would help them to be confident in Your grace. May they reach beyond what other’s believe is possible or even what they think they can achieve to do great things for You.
Wednesday- Patience to Persevere
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7
All the best things in life take time and work. Over time, a seed grows into a plant and eventually produces a harvest.
Father, help _____________ to understand Your law of sowing and reaping. I pray they wouldn't grow discouraged and quit on the things You’ve called them to, but that he/she would develop perseverance to press on to the finish. May they reap an incredible harvest from seeds they are sowing now.
Thursday- Depth of Relationship
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:17-18
While God wants us to experience a relationship with Him that becomes the foundation of our identity and source from which we also love other people, we have an enemy who will do whatever he can to stop it. Hurtful situations, damaging words, shame, wrong perspectives…they can cause our kids to run from God instead of drawing close to Him.
Father, I pray ____________ would turn towards You and not away from You. Help them recognize the enemy’s strategies and to not let anything come between a genuine relationship with You. Lead them into an understanding of Your love so they can experience what it’s like to be close with You.
Friday- Godly Spouse
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. Ephesians 5:31-31
The biggest decision your child will make apart from choosing to follow Jesus will be the person they marry. Our kids need a revelation of how marriage should look and wisdom that begins at a young age for how to navigate this important decision.
Father, I pray _____________ will grasp Your heart for marriage and will make wise decisions in preparation for that some day. You already know the future and the person You’ve prepared for them to walk through life with. I’m praying that You minister to their future spouse, lead and guide them, helping them to develop a close relationship with You.
Saturday- Protection
We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
While we do everything we can to keep our kids safe, ultimately God is the source of their protection. We can't insulate them from anything bad ever happening but we can ask God to guard our kids physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Father, I’m bringing ______________ before you and asking You to be a shield around them. Help them to look to You he/she is hurting or struggling. Be their protection and lead them forward into the good plans You have for their life.
Sunday- Teachable Heart
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
One of the biggest factors that will set our kids up for success is possessing the humility to learn and grow. We’re praying against pride, bitterness, indifference, or anything that would keep our kids from embracing a teachable heart.
Father, help __________ to embrace humility and the willingness to learn. I pray they would lean into wise people in their life and learn the lessons that will keep them from making unnecessary mistakes. May they have a hunger to grow and realize the potential You’ve place inside of them.
