16. To generously give them–and you, as a parent–wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Ask Him for wisdom in particular areas where they need to grow.
17. That they would be overflowing with faith: “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Pray for areas where they might be struggling to trust God.
18. That rather than self-centeredness, they would live lives of great love for others: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
19. That they would love God with all that they are: ““You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
20. That they would choose not to conform to the world, but rather offer themselves to God as sacrifices: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27); “…Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world…”(Romans 12:1-2a). Pray for individual ways you see your kids being influenced by the world.
21. That they would be freed from blindness to their sin, and would continually live before God in whole-hearted repentance:
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:6-7)
22. That their lives would be characterized by the power of the undeserved favor of God (grace): “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). Ask God for practical ways to bathe your home in grace.
23. That they would persevere, and even rejoice, in the ways they suffer: “…We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:3-5). Pray for the specific obstacles your child is enduring right now.
24. That they would keep in lock-step with the Holy Spirit, filled with Him: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22).
25. That their lives would be characterized by deep gratitude:
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Psalm 95:1-2)
Thank God for the ways you see His rich generosity to your children.
26. Pray for their friends, their friendships, and that God would surround them with meaningful relationships that challenge them toward a deeper walk with him: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Ask God for ways to love on your children’s friends and show them Jesus.
27. That they would have discernment to separate good from evil, and the courage to choose good: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” (1 John 4:1). Pray specifically for the issues your child is facing that are only known to God.
28. That they would be wise in handling the money God’s given: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:6); “The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin” (Proverbs 10:16). Pray for the weaknesses of each of your children that affect their stewardship of resources.
29. For their protection physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, sexually, spiritually: “Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you” (Psalm 25:20. Spend time committing to God in faith your particular concerns for them.
30: That their hearts would be courageously loving in sharing Jesus with the world: “Keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20). Thank God for the people who disciple your children.
31. That they would be people of diligent faithfulness in all they do: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Pray for obstacles that would stand in the way of humble, godly responsibility, like selfishness, laziness, self-righteousness, or idolizing achievement or approval.
Any day: For your marriage and family, that your children would see Christ and His model for love and forgiveness expressed day after day: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). Pray that each of your children will not only find salvation, but find themselves constantly dependent on grace.
Bonus: Thank God for your children, His immaculate plan for them, and His perfect, overwhelming love for them: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth” (Psalm 127:3-4). Pray for whatever He brings to mind.
©2015 Janel Breitenstein
Scriptures taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV® Text Edition: 2011.
