My children are one of the greatest blessings in my life. I agree with the Psalmist that “children are a gift of the LORD” (Psalm 127:3, NASB). As a parent, I delight in watching them grow, play and become the people God intended them to be.
Because of my love for my children, I pause to intercede on their behalf every day. These prayers are certainly not the only ways to pray, nor are they necessarily the best. But I’d like to share them with you in case these prayers can encourage you to pray for your children or grandchildren.
1. I pray for my children’s salvation.
More than anything, I want my sons and daughter to become my spiritual brothers and sister. I yearn for God to intervene in their lives and adopt them as his children. So I daily pray that God would soften their hearts to the gospel. I ask that he would give them an awareness of their sin, an understanding of Christ’s work on the cross and a desire to “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
I can’t save my kids; only God can do that. But I pray that God would use me in some small way to see my children come to saving faith in Christ.
No matter where they receive their paycheck, I pray that God would use my children’s lives to advance his kingdom around the world.
2. I pray for my children’s spiritual growth.
When my children become believers, their spiritual journey has only just begun. I pray that God would empower them to walk the path of faith, growing in the knowledge of the Word, love for God, commitment to the local church and Christlikeness.
The world in which they will grow up will be increasingly antagonistic to the faith, and they will face temptations to abandon the one true God for lesser things. But I pray that the Spirit would guide them in spiritual growth, that they might become faithful, mature and serving Christ-followers.
3. I pray for my children’s future spouses.
Not everyone gets married. After all, the Apostle Paul was single, and he found his singleness to be a blessing (1 Corinthians 7:25-40). But, statistically speaking, my children likely have marriage in their future.
As a result, I pray for their future spouses. I pray that God would save them, grow them, and equip them for the lofty calling of marriage. I pray that my children’s spouses would be positive influences on their walk with Christ.
At the same time, I also pray that my children would become godly spouses to their significant others. And I pray that my wife and I would set a good example of Christ-centered marriage to them.
4. I pray God would use my children in the kingdom.
I don’t know what vocations my children will choose. Perhaps they’ll engage in so-called secular work, enter the ministry or elect to go on the mission field. But no matter where they receive their paycheck, I pray that God would use my children’s lives to advance his kingdom around the world.
I pray God would equip them to do their work for God’s glory, contribute to the flourishing of their communities and be a gospel witness to all they meet. No matter what, I pray God would use them in some small way to advance the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
How do you pray for your children? Let us know in the comments.
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