Father, it can be scary to think about releasing my children into the world, knowing that they might be drawn away or influenced in a negative way. Please help me to pray these prayers for my children as I go about my days.
1. Walk in faith, not in fear.
(Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6) Help me to remember that my calling is to walk in faith, not in fear. You are all-seeing and all-knowing; I can have confidence that you will guide me and make me aware of things that might trip up my children.
2. Pray.
(1 John 5:14; Colossians 4:2) Help me to remember that the best thing I can do is pray. Please remind me to bring my children before your throne, kneel WITH them before your throne, and posture my heart in a way that I am sitting permanently before your throne of grace.
3. Model a godly lifestyle in my home.
(Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 5:3) Please enable me to live a life of integrity and that faith would be a reality in my home. Help me to be intentional about living a lifestyle that is pleasing to you, and that I would pass on the faith to my children. Remind me that If I don’t thirst for you, and if my life sends them a message of hypocrisy, then that is what I am teaching them. How I obey your Word should be the same kind of obedience that I long to see from my children.
4. Spend time with my children.
(Psalms 39:4-5; James 4:14; Ephesians 5:15-16) Help me to guard against over-scheduling and being too busy, because my children need me to be there for them. Help me to see it as a privilege to be there to listen to them, and help me to know what questions to ask them to draw them out. Please enable me to convey to them that I am truly interested in their lives and that I want to come alongside them when they are struggling or facing temptation.
5. Educate myself.
(1 Peter 5:8; Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 16:13; Matthew 26:41) Help me to take the time to know what is popular among youth culture and what is going on in the world that my children live in. Please help me to stay informed about the issues that can influence them so that I can have intelligent and informed conversation with them.
6. Help them view Your plan for their lives in a positive light.
(Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6) I know that I can protect my children for only a small amount of time, and that soon they will begin to look into their future and see all the possibilities that are there. With those possibilities come potential dangers and temptations. Help me help them to see your plan as a positive thing. I pray that I would live out my own walk and faith in a way that will directly impact them to find joy in their own calling. I pray that my life will influence the lives of my children and that they will see that it is truly worth it to walk in your ways and serve you.
7. Remember that parenting is a calling and a privilege.
(Psalms 127:3-5; Deuteronomy 7:14;
8. Set grace-filled boundaries.
(Psalm 16:6; Proverbs 22:28) Help me to know when and how to set limits, that I will know how to teach them that there are clear boundaries for their behavior, and what the consequences will be if they violate those boundaries, and that I would present and enforce these boundaries with grace.
I know that you are ultimately the One who draws my children to yourself and does a work in their heart, but I know I must join you in this work and do my part. Help me to know how to guide my children that they might know you, and how to face the many temptations in their world.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Gina Smith is a writer and author who has been married for 31 years to Brian, a college professor and athletic trainer. For the past 20+ years, Gina and her husband have served on a Christian college campus as the on-campus parents, and her husband has been a professor and dean of students. They have lived on the campus where they raised both of their now married children. In her spare time she writes for ibelieve.com, crosswalk.com, millionprayingmoms.com, is a devotional writer for Million Praying Moms “Pray the Word Journal, and recently authored her first book “Grace Gifts: Practical Ways To Help Your Children Understand God's Grace". She also writes at her personal blog: ginalsmith.com
This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Irish Blessings & Prayers
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
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