6 Prayers for Concerned Parents

We live in perilous times. As parents, we wonder how we can protect our kids from something tragic happening every single day. With all the chaos going on in the world, sometimes we wonder if it’s even safe to send our children out the front door. It’s important that we cover our children in prayer. Praying for them is one of our greatest and most fulfilling ministries. When your child is at school, with another parent or even living on their own, we have the opportunity to pray that blessings, wisdom and protection surround them. These prayers bring to life the concerns, hopes and dreams every parent has for their son or daughter. While we cannot hide our children away from the world, we can be proactive in guarding them. Sometimes the only thing you can do for your child is pray, and that is enough. Here are six prayers for concerned parents.

A Prayer for Your Child’s Character

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We know that early childhood experiences can strongly impact who our child becomes. It may come as no surprise then that the early years of our child’s life is a critical time to lay the groundwork for building character. Parents and families play a key role in character development. How can we inspire, enthuse and motivate our child’s character? The Bible tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dream of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave You or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). If you are concerned about your child’s character, pray this prayer: Dear Lord, I am concerned about my child’s character. I pray that my child always be strong and courageous, and when they are weak, that they turn to You for strength and direction. Amen.

A Prayer for Your Child’s Self-Control

Teaching self-control is one of the most important things that parents can do for their kids because these skills are some of the most important for success later in life. Anytime a child melts down in the middle of a crowded store, at a holiday dinner with extended family, or at home, it can be extremely frustrating. But parents can help kids learn self-control and teach them how to respond without just acting on impulse. The Bible tells us, “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6). By learning self-control, kids can make appropriate decisions and respond to stressful situations in ways that can yield positive outcomes. If you want to pray for your child’s self-control, begin with this prayer: Dear Lord, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do. Amen.

A Prayer to Cover Your Child with Peace

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” As a concerned parent, you can pray that peace reigns in the heart and mind of your children. Also pray that they know God is a very present help in all circumstances. It’s important that your child knows that they have God’s peace upon them in every sense of the word – wholeness and completeness. Our hope can be that peace guides them and keeps them. If you want to cover your child with peace, begin with this prayer: Dear Lord, I pray my child’s mind is guarded by Your peace. I’m asking that You speak to him/her clearly. Help them to feel your presence. Let him/her see Your purposes for what they’ve been through. Surround him/her with people who will confirm what You have for him/her. Amen.

A Prayer to Help Your Child See Their Beauty

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The messages our children are given about beauty begin very early in life. They can range from the very subtle, “Don’t you look pretty in that outfit,” to the very obvious, “You shouldn’t eat so much, or you will get fat.” A major focus of our lives is comparing ourselves to others: clothes, jobs, schools, cars and homes. It feels good when someone compliments us, however, how many of us thirst for those compliments? How many of our children do? We don’t start out as parents wanting to cause pain or heartache in our children, but somewhere along the way, our children are absorbing very subtle and obvious messages about themselves from us and others in society. If you want to help your child see their beauty, pray this prayer: Dear Lord, my child is going through a difficult stage. He/she doesn’t have a healthy self-image, and I’m fearful of where it could lead him/her. There are so many suffering today because they place much emphasis on physical beauty. Help my child redefine what it means to be beautiful by conforming his/her ideals to Your standards. Amen.

A Prayer for Your Child to Grow in Faith

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As parents, it’s important that we give our children opportunities to grow in faith, so that they not only grow closer to God, but that they are also able to endure great trials. The Bible tells us, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Jesus Christ” (Romans 10:17). The closer your child is to God’s Word, the more equipped they will be to standing firm amid severe testings. If you want your child to grow in faith, turn your child over to God, so that He can give them the spiritual insights they need to see Him at work. If you are concerned about your child’s faith and development, you can begin with this prayer: Dear Lord, while my child is away, give him/her opportunities to grow in faith. As I envision his/her future, I’m fearful about what may lie ahead, especially when he/she is away from my care. I acknowledge that his/her safety comes from being spiritually close to you. When my child feels alone, put people in his/her life to stand with them. Give him/her the specific victories and defeats he/she needs to grow stronger. Pull my child closer to You so that You’re the first person he/she turns to in the good times and the bad. Amen.

A Prayer for Your Child’s Relationships

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The Bible tells us, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). It’s important that we lift up our children’s relationship lives, praying specifically that they will be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage. We can also pray that their future mate would be in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Our intent as praying parents is not to pray up the “perfect” relationship partner for our child, though that is certainly our own desire, but to see our child’s mate become all he or she be for God. If you want to pray for your child’s relationship, begin with this simple prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that my child will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships and desire to be with someone who is an intimate relationship with you. I pray that my child’s future mate will love, honor and seek to serve You. Amen.