You know you should be praying for your children but do you pray for them regularly? Growing up, my mum enjoyed retelling the story of our birth and the incidences that surrounded each birth. One thing she always did before starting, was to pray for the specific child whose story she was about to retell.
And her simple prayer was “may you have your own children so I can help you care for them”.
It’s a simple prayer but God answered that prayer because we are all parents today. And none of us experienced delay in childbearing to the glory of God.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Imagine what would have happened if she had prayed for me to become the first female president of our country (lol!). The point I’m making is that praying for your children is important.
Prayers are like seeds that a farmer sows and it brings forth manifold returns, some 30%, some 60%, and some 100% or more.
And the bible has some useful advice for us about when to sow our seeds.
6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NIV)
When it comes to praying for our children, we must pray tirelessly because we don’t know the prayer that will tip the scale in our favor.
The Importance of Praying for Your Children
The devil is after children as much as he’s after adults and we know this because it’s stated in the bible. We have an adversary who is intently seeking whom to devour.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
The devil is going about seeking whom to devour so we must not stop praying for our children.
In a previous post, I wrote about my experience with soothsayers and fortunetellers as a child.
Satanic agents including soothsayers have mystic powers to foretell the future. And by that same power, they can foretell a child’s destiny and thwart it.
Read my post about soothsayers and fortunetellers here.
They tried to do the same thing to our Lord Jesus Christ by crucifying Him not knowing the wisdom of God.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:8 (NIV)
And that’s why it is important to regularly pray for your children.
What Does the Bible Say About Children?
Often times when dealing with our imperfect children, we forget what the bible says about them. The mother that has stayed up all night nursing a restless child is likely to forget what the bible says about that child.
Similarly, the mother of a rebellious child might have a hard time remembering what the bible says about children.
Children Are the Heritage of the Lord
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalms 127:3 (NKJV)
That is what God says about children; children are gifts from God and they belong to God.
Children Are Like Arrows in the Hands of a Warrior
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:4-5 (NKJV)
God likens children to the arrows of a warrior, and we know how important arrows are to a warrior.
In earlier bible days, arrows were one of the main weapons of war. For example, Jehu killed Jehoram with an arrow (2nd Kings 9:24). And in 2nd Samuel 22:15, we read about how God sent out arrows and scattered his enemies.
Related Post: 5 Bible Verses to Encourage a Praying Mother
Children Are Weapons of War in the Hands of God Almighty
Our children are weapons of war in the hands of God almighty. And it is not surprising because the bible states in Jeremiah 51: 20;
“You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; Jeremiah 51:20 (NKJV)
Based on the above bible verses, it’s obvious that God has a purpose for our children. And we should pray the purpose into existence.
Prayers are like seeds that farmers sow that brings forth manifold returns;30%, 60%, and 100% or more. We must pray relentlessly for our children. #prayingforchildren #prayer #teacupclub Click To TweetWhat Does the Bible Say About Praying for Your Children?
How Does God Respond to Children and Prayers for Children?
God doesn’t turn away children and He listens to a parent’s cry over their children. The first account of a parent praying for their children in the bible was that of Abraham praying for his son Ishmael.
18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” Genesis 17:18 (NKJV)
Abraham prayed the above prayer to God for his son after God told him Ishmael wasn’t the son of promise. And that another son will still be born by his wife Sarah.
The Power of Praying® for Your Adult Children by Stormie Omartian
What was God’s Response to Abraham’s Prayer for His Son?
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. Genesis 17:20 (NKJV)
God’s response to Abraham’s prayer for his child was positive and far above what he asked.
He asked God to spare the child’s life, but God added blessings and multiplication to the request.
God Hears the Voice of Children
There are several Bible passages to prove that God hears the voice of children. And if He hears the voice of children, He will equally hear the voice of a praying mother.
God heard Ishmael’s voice in the wilderness of Beersheba when he cried from extreme thirst.
15 And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. 16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Genesis 21:15-17 (NKJV)
When children are in distress, God hears and we as mothers should lend our voice by praying for our children.
Praying Through Your Pregnancy: A Week-By-Week Guide
Jesus Laid Hands on Children and Prayed for Them
We can definitely borrow a leaf from Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 ). When His disciples rebuked people for bringing little children to Jesus for prayer, He corrected them.
Jesus told His disciples that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like little children.
And He stopped to lay hands on the children and pray for them.
13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15 (NKJV)
If Jesus our Lord and master counted children worthy of His attention and prayer, then we mothers should not relent in praying for our children.
6 Specific Prayers to Pray for Your Children Today
- Salvation: Pray for the salvation of their soul that they will know the Lord, and that God will draw them to Himself.
- Infilling of the Holy Spirit: That God’s Holy Spirit will fill them to overflowing. And they will be taught of the Lord.
- That they will come to maturity in the Lord.
- That they will be surrounded by godly friends.
- That God will give them the power to resist temptation and live above sin.
- That God will help them in decision making. They will not make a decision that will ruin their life.
3 Resources for Praying for Your Children
Praying the Scriptures for Your Children: Discover How to Pray God’s Purpose for Their Lives – Jodie Berndt
Jodie Berndt shows you how to make the Bible a book of prayers that can powerfully influence your children’s lives. You’ll discover how to pray specifically and expectantly for their faith, character, safety, relationships, and future. You’ll gain new, biblical perspectives on God’s purposes for your children.
The Power of Praying® for Your Adult Children – Stormie Omartian
In this important follow-up to The Power of a Praying® Parent (2 million copies sold), Stormie addresses areas of concern you may have for your grown children and shares how to lift them up to God. With stories from other parents and insight gleaned from personal experience, Stormie helps you pray with the power of God’s Word over your adult children and various aspects of their lives.
Praying Through Your Pregnancy: A Week-By-Week Guide – Jennifer Polimino
Praying Through Your Pregnancy shows a mother how to provide an early head start for her child through the power of prayer. With fresh spiritual insight, each chapter reveals what is happening with the baby’s development that week, starting with the very first moment of conception, when God begins the creation of either a boy or a girl.
Summary: Praying for Your Children is Good
Praying for your children is good as it will serve as a shield from the fiery darts of the wicked. Additionally, it will help to establish God’s purpose in their lives and prepare their hearts for salvation.
This is so powerful. Just had an instant devotional hour. Thank you for this.
I know, we know these things but just need reminders. Glad you found it helpful and motivating enough to pray for an hour 🙂
You are right that it is so important to pray for your children. Not only that but it’s equally as important for your children to see you praying. This instills in them what to do when times are both good and bad.
That is absolutely correct! Children learn by example and the way they will learn to pray is by setting us do it. From time to time, we have vigils at home too.
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I appreciate all of the verses you reference here!
Excellent thoughts. Parenting is hard, but when we turn to God, everything falls into place. Thank you for your encouraging words.
You are right Crystal, parenting is hard and we need God’s help to do it right.
God will help us.
Thank you for your indepth post, so many beneficial points to ponder over and pray!
You’re welocme Ava.
Absolutely! One of the wonderful things about praying for your children consistently, is they begin to find peace and safety in it. There were a few times when out of exhaustion, I forgot to pray for my girls. They would come to find me, with tears in their eyes, and say, “Mom, you forgot to pray for us.” And of course, I would–but it was nice to see how it became an important part of their bedtime routine.
I also loved how you highlighted for us that God listens to the voice of children. I have read the account of Ishmael and I never realized that it was his voice that God heard. That was beautiful.
Wow! Luisa, what a privilege your girls have to be blessed with a praying mother.
As a mom of 3 adult children, I will never stop praying for them. Especially when they’re on their own, they need the Lord more than ever. It’s hard watching them make decisions that aren’t in accordance with God’s will, so I just pray. God knows and He will convict
You are so right, it is important to unceasingly pray for our kids. God has had me praying for the future spouses of my Grandchildren too.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this Bible Verse before but I love it!
“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NIV)
Fabulous I really enjoyed this reminder in the importance of praying over our children. It’s clear, detailed and thorough. I spent time praying as I was reading- thank you
Thank you so much for writing this. I try to pray for my children every night, but I admit I have a tendency to forget. This is a great reminder that I should pray for them more often. Blessings, Joni
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing God’s word with us! Thank you for reminding us of the importance of children
Thanks for these great tips and resources for praying for my children! The book “praying the scriptures for you children” looks really good!
Yes, pray without ceasing for our children, amen! I love this post. Your 6 Specific Prayers to Pray for Your Children Today are spot on!
Awesome post! It is so important to pray about all aspects of your life, but praying for your children is really a wonderful and beautiful thing! Letting God work through us to teach and guide little ones is so amazing!
Children are precious in His sight. Praying for our children is really important. Thanks for sharing .
One of the hardest things for me to do is to pray for my children. Even if they were not in my life. I still pray for my children to this day.
What a responsibility God gives us to raise up our children in His word. I love these points on ways to pray for our children.
I love Jesus’ attitude toward children. He treasures them and sees their potential. I am currently writing out the prayers from The Power of a Praying Parent. Such powerful and specific prayers!
I remember all the praying my husband and I did together for our children when they were very young. Then came the time when he had to travel worldwide for his job and so he was regularly away from home. The praying however did not stop even though we could not pray together we continued to pray apart and even to this day as they are scattered around the world it is still the important thing to do.
This was a great post on praying for your children. My son is 19 years now but when he was younger he had a few comprehension issues. His teachers didn’t know what was wrong or how to help him. I knew the importance of praying for children and I read many books on praying scripture. I prayed often that verse in 2 Timothy about a having a sound mind and not a spirit of timidity. After a few years the whole problem disappeared and my son was ecstatic! He said God healed him!
Having children has been one of the hardest jobs I have ever had. I sometimes have a hard time giving my children over to The Lord. I know they are safe in His hands but it is something that I have to be thinking about.
I needed this reminder and encouragement of how God sees our children. Like everything else, when I worry, it’s a sign I need to bring it to God in prayer. Thanks for the list of things to pray for our kids. All very helpful!
Pray tirelessly. I love that description. And I’m seeing more and more as my kids grow how important prayer actually is.
So glad, Alonda. We mustn’t get tired of praying for our children.
Praying scripture over our fellas has helped me as a mom tremendously.
Prayer always helps, doesn’t it? Especially our little children who aren’t old or mature enough to understand the full import of prayer.
It is SO important to pray for our children. As a mom of 4 this post really touched me! Thank you.