Prayers for Children

This Mother’s Day, my daughter asked me, “Mummy, why is there Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but no Children’s Day?” I explained that while Canada may not have a designated Children’s Day, other parts of the world, like our home country of Nigeria, celebrate it annually. In my mind, however, every day is Children’s Day for parents from the moment of conception. Parents’ lives change forever when children arrive, and no matter how old both the parents and children get, good parents always feel the need to care for their children. It often takes significant self-control for some parents to step back and let their children become independent adults.

Recently, my siblings and I visited our parents. Despite our age and independence, my mom woke up early every morning to make breakfast for us, even though we were jet-lagged and didn’t rise until 10 or 11 am. This is a testament to how parents never stop being parents. Some parents have children with developmental challenges requiring lifelong support, while others find themselves worried sick over the situations their adult children get into. The point is that children remain a central concern and priority in their parents’ lives.

The good news is that God cares for your children—whether they are little ones, teenagers, or adults—even more than you can. Jesus said in Matthew 19:14a, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them...”

Some might think, “I don’t have children yet, so this message isn’t for me.” But that’s not true. If you desire to have children in the future, you can start praying for them now. I began praying for my children at least three years before I even met my husband. I knew I wanted children, and I believed in the power of prayer while waiting for their arrival. Besides, you can pray for other children—those in your church, community, your siblings' children, and more. Praying for both our own children and the children around us contributes to sustained peace and joy in our lives and communities. Our children are a key target for the Enemy because he knows that children are the future and are key players in bringing about God's purpose on earth. So, we must stand against him and his schemes through proper upbringing and consistent prayers.

The Bible is filled with Scriptures to speak and pray over your children, and I have found great value in praying these Scriptures rather than just praying from my heart. God honors His Word (Psalm 138:2). When I pray Scriptures, I am praying God’s words back to Him, and I trust that He will bring them to pass. I am a living testament that prayer works.

I have compiled some Scriptures you can pray for your children (born and unborn) and your grandchildren. As you pray these according to God’s will, I trust that He will fulfill them in their lives.

1. My children shall be taught of the LORD and great shall be their peace (Isaiah 54:13).

2. My children will be established in righteousness (Isaiah 54:14a).

3. God, grant me the grace and wisdom to train my children in the way of the LORD, that they will not depart from it when they grow up (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6).

4. My children will grow in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).

5. My children shall be far from oppression. They will not fear, nor be terrified. (Isaiah 54:14b).

6. Whoever stirs up strife against my children shall fall because of them (Isaiah 54:15).

7. No weapon formed against my children shall proper and they will refute every tongue that revolts against them (Isaiah 54:17).

8. My children will live lives that bring joy, peace, and glory to me and not shame (Psalm 127:5; Proverbs 17:6).

9. My children will hear and obey instructions. They will not be rebellious (Proverbs 1:8-9).

10. My children will dwell in the secret place of the Most High and remain under the protection of God. They will never toy around in the Enemy’s camp (Psalm 91).

11. Whatever good thing my children lay their hands upon to do will prosper (Deuteronomy 15:10).

12. My children will be socially balanced. They are not confused about their identity. Their identity is in God. They will not be bullied, nor will they be bullies (Deuteronomy 30:20; 31:6; Psalm 82:4).

13. My children are skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and are competent to stand in high places and among people of good repute (Daniel 1:4).

14. My children will be more knowledgeable than their teachers (Psalm 119:99).

15. My children will walk in the truth all the days of their lives (3 John 4).

16. God is the Help of my children. He will preserve their going out and coming in (Psalm 121).

17. My children will not die. I will not bury my children. They will not bury their parents when they are still young. I will live to see God’s goodness in their lives (Psalm 118:17).

18. My children are sold out to God forever. I will not lose my children to sin, to the flesh, to the world, or to the devil. I will not lose them to sickness or to death. They will not be incapacitated (Acts 17:28; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 8:31-38).

19. When my children have questions, they’ll ask the right people and will get the right answers. They will not be victims of deception or the lies that are being pushed out in the world today (Romans 16:17-18; Colossians 2:8).

20. My children will be shiny light in this dark world. They will be salt of the earth around them and will be great ambassadors for Christ (Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

MORE POSTS