10 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Children

Do you ever struggle with what to pray over your children? We know prayer is important and it’s not that we don’t pray, it’s just we find ourselves praying in the moment- when they have an “ouchie” or when they don’t feel well. Maybe prayer is often treated as a last resort. I know I am guilty of that. Honestly, I struggle to consistently and fervently pray for my children. I know it’s important but I find myself praying the same simple things, “Please protect them” or “help them.” More often than not I find myself struggling through, not knowing what to pray for them, but knowing my prayers were lacking strategy and power.

I know that God’s Word is powerful and so I look there for the foundation for my prayers.

Maybe you’ll join me?

How to Start Praying Scripture Over Your Children

There are a few ways that we can go about praying scripture over our children. One way is to pray circles over them. In the book, “Praying Circles around your Children” Mark Batterson equates praying circles with ‘praying without ceasing.’ He says, “Drawing circles is a metaphor for praying without ceasing. It’s praying until God answers.” Essentially you circle the verse in your Bible each time you pray it. You keep praying and circling and each time that circle will get darker. It’s a great visual as you flip through your Bible and as it catches your eye, you may pray it again and circle it one more time.

A second way is to write prayers in your prayer journal. Keep a list of verses in your journal and add to the list as you discover more. Write out your prayers to the Lord using these verses. What a great way to stay focused as you pray and what an amazing keepsake to be able to look back through one day!

A third way is to pray a verse each day. For example, you would assign a certain verse to a certain day and be committed to praying it over your child for that day. Monday would have its own verse. Tuesday its own, etc. Write the verse down on your calendar and pray it over your children during the day.

10 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Children

There are so many powerful verses to pray over our children but here are ten that I’ve started to pray over my own children:

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

When the heat of life gets too hot, I pray they will find refuge in the shade and shelter of God. I pray they will know He is their protector and safe place and they can trust in Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:6-9

They will need to know that they have a real Enemy out to destroy them but they can resist him. I’ve always struggled with worry and I pray they learn that when troubles and anxiety come calling they can cast it all on the One who cares for them.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

I pray they are never afraid to go to the Lord with any request and know that He will help them and give them the mercy and grace they need.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

I pray these qualities are developed in their lives.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

This is such important truth for them! They don’t have to do anything on their own; they just need to remain in Him.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

This is the prayer of my Mama’s heart: that they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

May they be people who do not walk in step with the wicked but who love the Lord and His word and who are well-watered men.

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalm 105:4

Always!

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11

They have a real Enemy and will need to know how to battle against him. God has provided armor for this fight. I pray they would dress daily in the armor of God.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil.” Psalm 37:5-8

This entire psalm is a great one to pray and I especially love these verses. Committing their way to the Lord, trusting Him, waiting on the Lord, refraining from anger and turning from wrath are all amazing

I have to have things right in front of me where I can see them so I created this cute printable to print and place in my Bible, prayer journal or even hang on the wall! You can grab a copy too. Click the link below 🙂