It’s important to pray over the kids in our ministries, as well as those in our families, neighborhoods, and communities. We should long for the Lord to show up in their lives so much that it becomes a key part of our prayer lives as parents, ministry leaders, and volunteers.
Our kids need us on the forefront of the spiritual battle lifting up their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 (NLT), “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Scripture also urges us to stand in the gap. Let’s take the time to stand in for our children. To pray for their protection, their relationships, and their futures. And let’s speak blessings into their lives as we battle on their behalf.
Our kids need us on the forefront of the spiritual battle lifting up their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Here are 4 ideas for praying over your children and the children in your ministry.
Pray for God’s Will
One of the most important things we can pray for our children is that God’s will be done in their lives. Praying that they would accept Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior is part of this too.
That doesn’t mean their lives will be smooth sailing, but we can be sure of their soul’s eternal security in Him! We can pray for purpose and strength for the day and for their futures that is aligned with God’s will.
When our kids are following Jesus, we know they can handle anything that comes their way because He has promised to be with them. Focusing on the eternal goal helps us recognize God in the good moments, the hard moments, and all those moments in between.
We aren’t promised a life without hardship. In fact, we are promised the opposite. So, we should pray that our kids know where to find their rest, their hope, and their future—even when they face hard things.
Pray for Protection
Praying for children’s health and safety is important. We want our kids to be in God’s protection. We can pray that He would send His angels to surround them and protect them through whatever will come their way.
The Psalmist shares about the Lord’s protection and provision in Psalms 91. It’s not necessarily the protection from hardship, but our soul’s security through hardship.
For he will command his angels concerning you
Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Pray that their faith would be protected, no matter what they may face.
Pray for Their Relationships
We want our kids to be cared for, loved, and protected. Relationships are some of the most vulnerable places in our kids’ lives. Pray for God to cover their friendships, families, and the influencers in their lives (teachers, mentors, etc.). Pray that they would have Godly guidance and care.
In this also pray specifically for their families, the friends surrounding them, and the influencers in their lives. Pray that these role models and leaders would have a relationship with Jesus in order to best care for and nurture these children.
Pray that our children would learn the discipline of following Jesus and grow closer to God’s heart, so that when they are older—they’ll keep doing the same.
Start children off on the way they should go,
Proverbs 22:6
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Prayers of Blessing
Reassure your children that God has them—He sees them, hears them, knows them, cares for them, and is with them always.
Lastly spend time praying for blessings on your children’s lives. That they would have God’s favor and peace in their lives. And pray for wisdom to discern as they grow.
Pray that they would know who they are in Christ and find their identity in Him. Pray that no matter what comes their way, that they would rest in knowing their soul is secure. Our prayer is that they would see God’s hand move in their lives.
And speak blessings over them.
Look your children (and the children in your ministry) in the eyes and remind them of who God says they are. Remind them of the confidence they can have in Jesus our King. Reassure your children that God has them—He sees them, hears them, knows them, cares for them, and is with them always.
Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?
Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?
