Adapted from a blog from Darlene Schacht
A few weeks ago a post regarding the need to pray for the purity of our children was written. In that post we talked about the warped values and corrupt definition of beauty that the media is feeding to young and maturing girls. It goes without saying that this message can also affect the way that boys view the women around them.
At the end of that post readers we were invited to join together in praying for mothers and fathers everywhere so that we would step up to our God-given responsibility of nurturing our children the way God designed them to be.
Since that time, a list of 31 ways have been put together that we can pray for our children along with scripture verses to guide us in truth. That’s one for every day of the month!
To the readers of this article:
If you know of other promises and texts please send them from this live Contact Us link so we can add them at the bottom of this page. In small font your initials will be added at the end of the texts you provide.
1. Pray that you parent your children with patience and persistence. Ask God for wisdom in discipline.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. ~ James 1:19
2. While your children are growing, pray often for their salvation, as the prophet Isaiah wrote,
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. ~ Isaiah 45:8
3. Give children age appropriate responsibilities, praying that they will learn the value of stewardship. Teach them to appreciate all that we have as a gift from the Lord.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. ~ Titus 2:7,8
4. Pray against the influence of peer pressure. Ask God to help you in developing your child’s unique character and purpose.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. ~ Ephesians 6:11&12
5. Pray that God will help your child to speak wisely and bridle her tongue that it might be used effectively.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. ~ Ephesians 4:29,30
6. Pray that your child will see the value and importance of modesty. That they may represent themselves as holy and acceptable servants of the Lord.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.~ 1 Peter 3:3-4
7. Pray that you guide your children toward a recognition of their value in the eyes of God. Not an attitude that is driven by pride, but by who is in Jesus Christ.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.~ Psalm 139:13&14
8. Pray that your children are compassionate and charitable. That they desire to live beyond themselves.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.
14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.~ Colossians 3:12-14
9. Pray asking that your children will have a heart to please God, and walk in His ways. As the Psalmist wrote:
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ~ Psalm 19:10
10. Pray over your children when they are sleeping. Place your hopes and dreams for their future in the hands of our Lord.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.~ Jeremiah 29:11,12
11. Start a prayer journal with your children so that you can guide them and teach them the power of prayer. Pray together as a family often.
16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
12. Pray with a heart of gratitude for the little things that go unnoticed. The way that her arms feel when she gives you a hug, the smile he gives you each morning as you approach his crib, the way it feels when he grabs your hand…
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
13. Read the Bible together and pray about the lessons therein that God might strengthen you as a spiritual leader.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11
14. Pray that your child will value those who suffer the loss of loved ones.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.~ James 1:27
15. Pray for ways that you might communicate Biblical principles to your child. And that your child will accept the Word of God as applicable for today.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21
16. Pray that the time you share with your children will be of great value. That they might learn spiritual and life lessons from you.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ~ Proverbs 22:6
17. Pray that your children will have a desire and see the importance of attending God’s church. That they would desire to assemble together and work as one with the body of Christ.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ~ Hebrews 10:24&25
18. Pray that they will cherish the golden rule. That they would be willing to lend a hand when help is needed and to treat others with love and respect.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12
19. Pray that your children would recognize the glory of God, and the hand of their Creator in the world around them.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.~ Psalm 19:1&2
20. Pray that your children will find their joy in the Lord. That they will learn to be thankful in all things.
“ Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
21. Pray that you will be an example of love and kindness to your children. An example that reflects the love of Jesus in all that you do.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. ~ Luke 6:38
22. Pray that your children understand the love of God toward mankind in that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might be saved.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16
23. Pray for a heart of purity in growing children. That they will stand strong against temptation and lust. That she might see her body as the temple of the Holy Ghost and present it as holy and acceptable to the Lord.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me ~ Psalm 51:10
24. Pray that your child isn’t drawn in by the deceitfulness of money, but lives in such a way that he might attain an eternal reward.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8&9
25. Pray with thanksgiving for the blessings He has bestowed on you through your child.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~ Psalm 100:3&4
26. Pray for the spiritual welfare of your children with your spouse or a friend.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. ~ Matthew 18:18-20
27. Enlighten your children to the world around them by supporting missions and teaching them that there is a world both hungry for food and hungry for the word of God. Pray that they will have a heart for missions.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.~ Matthew 25:34-36
28. Pray that your children will grow strong in their faith as they adhere to the word of God.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~ Romans 10:17
29. Pray that your child will develop and meek and quiet spirit.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ~ Ephesians 4:1-3
30. Pray that your child will develop a hunger for the Word of God and the wisdom to understand it.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15,16
31. Pray that your children will grow in respect, submitting to those who are placed in positions of authority.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ~ 1 Peter 2:13,14
Additional promises and texts for our children
32. …for I will contend with him the contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. Isaiah 49:25 ML
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