1. That they will love and know well His Word: “his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Ask God how you can increase their knowledge of Him.
2. For their mouths: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Pray specifically for their personal weaknesses in taming their tongues.
3. That they would walk in the good ways for which God’s uniquely crafted them: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Ask God for wisdom to raise your children according to their individual creation.
4. That they would know the depth of God’s love, and root their lives firmly in it:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14, 17b-19)
Pray for the wisdom to address their insecurities and the “holes” where they’re not pursuing fulfillment in Him.
5. For their future spouses:
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)
Pray for an intimate, fulfilling future marriage, and that God would prepare your child to be a wise and loving spouse.
6. For his mind to be fully God’s: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2); “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Pray for your children’s education, school, teachers, and administration–that all would serve His purposes and honor.
7. That they will be people of prayer: “‘But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word’” (Acts 6:4); and that he or she will listen to God: “And the Lord came and stood, calling…and Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10). Pray that each of your children would live life in continual communion with the Lord.
8. That God will raise up good influences and solid “voices” to speak into your child’s life: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Pray for wisdom for people who have influence in your children’s lives: grandparents, coaches, teachers, relatives, babysitters, etc.
9. For continued purity of mind, body, eyes, and heart:
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11)
Ask God for ways you anticipate and have witnessed their temptation towards impurity.
10. That he or she would identify and flee from temptation: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Pray that you will find out about ways they’ve succumbed to temptation, and the ability to meet it with grace and wisdom.
11.That you as a parent would win their hearts in an intimate, vital relationship with them:
7 But we were gentle[a] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
12. That they would have great courage, because God is with them: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Pray for known fears they’re encountering.
13. That sacrificial love would clothe them:
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Pray that they would have eyes to clearly perceive others’ needs and pour themselves out for those. Pray also for specific social skills that help your child to relate courteously, kindly, respectfully, and graciously.
14. That their lives would be characterized by deep humility and teachability before God: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit…” (Isaiah 57:15). Pray that God would dismantle pride in areas you see it in their lives.
15. That they would live cheerfully generous lives in every aspect: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Thank God for areas of generosity you already see.
©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.
