10 Powerful and Simple Prayers for Children

Through saying prayers for children, we are able to seek God and witness His love and grace in our children’s lives.

Children are exposed to various distractions and temptations nowadays.

It feels like no matter what we do to safeguard our children, the world is too dangerous and fallen for us to keep up.

But as parents, family members, teachers, caregivers, mentors, and friends, we can all say prayers for children for their sake and our peace. 

We lift these prayers for children to ask God to protect, guide, save, and love them.

Committing them to God through prayers is one of the best ways to advocate and take care of our children.

What are Prayers for Children?

Prayers for children are our communication to God, interceding for children close to us and children of the world.

These prayers are our way of asking the good Lord to be with them and always guide them.

Prayers for children bridge the gap created by distractions, age differences, absence or lack of communication, distance, and other challenges.

Why Say Prayers for Children?

Everyday life is filled with so many to-dos that it’s easy to lose time with our children.

Even when we have the time, we can be too preoccupied to be fully present.

Saying prayers for children can help refocus our minds and hearts on our roles as parents and caregivers to our children. 

When we say prayers for children, we also allow the Lord to speak to us and direct our actions in caring for our children.

Through prayers for children, we can pass on our faith and love for God to our children.

Our prayers can outlive us in our children’s lives.

It is also important to remember that children are usually the intended victims of the widespread spiritual corruption everywhere in our world.

The enemy is relentless in his lies and attacks on our children.

Many children quickly lose their way, especially during puberty and early adulthood. 

As parents and guardians, we must accept that we cannot always control our children’s lives.

Instead, through prayers for our children, we can ask God to save them from this corrupt world and that our children will become children of light and not darkness.

How to Say Prayers for Children

As parents and adults, we are often faced with many insurmountable responsibilities.

Sometimes, even praying seems like a difficult task.

But we must always find a way to carve out a little time to dedicate to praying for our children.

We can find ways to make this task easier, like keeping a journal of our daily prayers for our children, saying short prayers when doing errands or chores, or talking to God before we doze off to sleep. 

It is expected to feel anxious about our children’s futures and well-being.

When we think that way, we can take a moment to talk to God and ask Him to help us and our children.

We can also pray the Scriptures and declare the Word of the Lord.

Some Scriptures we can pray are the following:

Bible prayers for children

1 Chronicles 29:18-19

“O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.

Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” 

Colossians 1:9-12

“And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:

bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

Philippians 1:6

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the days of Jesus Christ.” 

John 14: 1-7

“Let not your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God; believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many rooms.

If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

And you know the way to where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going.

How can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.

From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Effective Prayers for Children

For guidance and wisdom

Heavenly Father, I ask that you be my child’s shepherd.

Direct their paths according to Your truth and wisdom, and make it easy for them to pray for direction at all times.

May they learn Your ways and become more righteous in Jesus Christ as they grow.

Give them the strength to believe in Your love, grace, and provision as they pursue the path You have prepared for them.

In the name of the Lord Christ Jesus, I pray, Amen.

For faith to increase

God of everlasting love, I pray that You lead my children to trust and put their faith in You alone.

You are their protector, and Your love knows no limitations or bounds.

Save and be with them, Lord, so they see You in everything they do.

I am at peace knowing You died for their sins.

May You open their spiritual eyes and surround them with Your angels so they can know You better.

I trust You will help them to put their faith in You no matter what.

I pray they will live as an example of the truth and grace you are through our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

For health and protection

Healer and protector of all, I pray that Your mercy, love, and grace will always shield my children from harm.

Deliver them from harm and strengthen their faith in You so they can rely on You in times of need.

Please protect them from temptation and give them the wisdom to know the difference between good and evil as the Holy Spirit leads them.

Keep them safe from evils of this world and the heavenly places, and guard their paths everywhere they may go.

These I pray, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

For our children to anchor their identity in Jesus alone

Father God, we give You thanks for choosing us as parents and guardians of our children.

I lift their lives and hearts. Lord,

I pray that they seek You and follow You.

I pray they anchor their identity and hope only on Christ Jesus in this world that lures them with lies and deception

Pursue them, Lord, with a love that they cannot resist.

Give them strength, wisdom, and discernment, and never let the world’s fallenness and distractions take away from their purpose in Jesus.

May they always bring honor to Your name, Lord, in everything they are and everything they do.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For birthdays

Dear Lord, what a delight to spend another year loving, enjoying, and training this child.

You molded them in Your likeness, and in them, I see the many love you afford me and the world.

Their unique characteristics are a reflection of Your goodness.

You have showered our family with so many blessings through our child’s life, and now I am coming to You to ask for even more of Your blessings upon them. 

Please mold my desires for them into Your will, and may my faith strengthen as I continue to ask for Your help, fully aware that Your love surpasses my love for my precious child.

I put my faith in You because You know that You always provide the answers to my prayers.

Be with them always, Lord.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

For strength amidst struggles

Dear Lord, I know You know I am overwhelmed with worry for my child.

Lord, I ask You to direct their focus on You.

Remind them to always keep their future view in Your hands.

Help them remember that Jesus is always with them and that if they focus on Your love, they will see the small and big blessings You have bestowed on them.

Afford them the courage to face the trials of life with the armor of God, even at a young age.

Allow them to remain in you always, in all ways.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen.

For God-pleasing friendships

Dear Lord, I hope my children meet friends who delight in Your word and praise and trust in You.

Grant them the discernment and fortitude to resist the temptations of this world that would lead them astray from You.

May my children find companions who will bring them a deeper relationship with You.

Please guide my children to seek You humbly, and may they find contentment in You alone.

Amen.

Before going to school

Heavenly Father, things might get tough for my child in school today.

Still, I praise You, God, for You are a constant source of comfort for my children.

Your serenity and love are constant reminders to my children that You will shower them with Your strength every day.

Please rescue them when they are down and out at school, whether because of a particularly challenging class, a broken friendship, an incident, bullying, or just plain old exhaustion.

When things get rough, please encourage them in Your intentional and personal way.

I pray all these in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Before bedtime

Heavenly Father, You afford rest to those You love.

Therefore, may my children rest soundly tonight, and may You protect their dreams from attacks and nightmares.

I ask that You provide them with a good night’s sleep to refresh them for tomorrow’s challenges.

Be with them throughout the night and greet them with Your love when they wake up so they know how much you care and pursue them.

Amen.

For their future

Dear God, I am grateful that You have placed these wonderful children in my care and life.

Lord, I trust You to care for my children now and in the future.

Even though I have no idea what my children’s futures contain, I can rest assured that their future is in Your loving and capable hands.

Your love and presence have been a comfort to my children.

I am sure that nothing can take them away from Your love.

I ask You to provide my children with the wisdom to face the challenges of this day and the ones to come.

May Your divine wisdom and light guide all their decisions.

Ultimately, may they live for Your glory alone.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Final Thoughts

One of the most rewarding and challenging tasks anyone will ever have is raising and caring for children.

As their parents and carers, it is our sacred duty to look after our children, guide them in the life God intends for them, train them according to God’s word, and intercede for them.

We are not alone in our concerns about the effects of school, peer pressure, social media, danger, and evil. 

As a parent, caregiver, or caring Christian, saying prayers for children is powerful and the best thing we can do for them.

Covering them with prayers for children is a mighty weapon at our disposal in times of uncertainty and anxiety.

Through saying prayers for children, we are able to seek God and witness His love and grace in our children’s lives.

Say a prayer for your children today!

EDITOR
Alex Shute
Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow.
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