How Should We Pray for Our Kids?
We know prayer is powerful. It summons the strength and compassion of God and builds our personal, intimate relationship with Him. But when it comes to praying for others—especially our children—is there a certain right or wrong way to do it? How should we pray for our kids?
The short answer: Daily. Or even hourly, depending on the day (can I get an amen?).
Essentially prayer should be a regular, ongoing talk with the Lord. We need Him so desperately, don’t we?
What you pray about, well, that’s up to you. There is no one-size-fits-all prayer formula for every family, but there are a few key areas to consider lifting up to the Lord on your child’s behalf. Here are some of the topics I pray over my kids.
1. Protection. This might be a given, but I pray not only for good health and safety but also for wisdom to trust God if His plan for my kids involves illness or pain. I ask Him to help me lean on the truth that suffering brings benefits on a heavenly scale—and that everything He allows in our children’s lives is somehow, ultimately, meant for good.
2. Courage. Sometimes the best prayer isn’t for safety but for the courage to face fears and risks. If God asks my kids to go on a mission trip or confront a bully at school, or any manner of scary callings, then I want Him to give them the bravery to do it in His strength.
3. Relationships. We know bad company corrupts good character. Yet we’re also called to be a light to lost people. I pray for God to guide my kids toward solid friendships with fellow believers who will draw them nearer to Him, while also supporting them in their role as influencers among peers.
4. Spiritual growth. This one is simple. I pray the same Scripture that Luke wrote of Jesus, that my kids would grow “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). I also pray 2 Peter 3:18, for my children to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
5. The future. I pray not only for what my children are facing today but also for what God plans for their future. I pray for their someday spouses—that God would even now be raising those young men to be servant leaders with tender hearts toward my girls, and that the boys’ parents would lean on God’s wisdom in raising their sons. I pray for success in school and that my children would make wise choices that lead to walking in the center of God’s will both now and tomorrow.
6. Myself. And finally, I pray constantly for wisdom as a parent. There’s nothing like raising kids to make a woman feel inadequate and clueless with each new phase and challenge, but thankfully we have a great and gracious God who wants us to call on him for answers. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” As a mom, I’m certainly banking on that. Will you?
Blessings,
Becky Kopitzke
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