6 P's of praying for your children

Prayer is one of the best things you can do for your kids.  And praying Scripture over them is one of the most powerful ways to pray. Scripture breathes the Presence of God into your children’s lives. His promises to you and your family are found in the Word of God.  Your prayers for your children are the greatest legacy you can leave.

PEACE: Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."  Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  

Father, I pray that my kids will experience the peace of God this year that exceeds all understanding. I pray they will not worry about things they cannot control, but that You will guard their hearts and minds and keep them trusting in You. I pray they will not only enjoy the peace of God, but peace with God. I pray they will develop a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving as they look to You daily for their needs. I pray that You will give them the capacity for joy that bubbles up from Your peace.

PROTECTION: 2 Thessalonians 3:3, "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one".  Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  John 17:15, "My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one."

Father, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my kids. Keep evil far from them and help them to trust You as their refuge and strength. I pray You will guard their minds from harmful instruction and grant them discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help them to find rest in Your shadow, as they live in the spiritual shelter You provide for them. Let them know that the only safe place is in Jesus, and that their home on earth is only temporary.

PURITY: Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." I Timothy 1:5, "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Father, I pray that You will create in my kids a clean heart and that You would constantly renew a right spirit within them, keeping their thoughts and actions pure and motivated by love. Guard them from temptation and let them know You are always faithful to give them a way out and help to endure. May the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts always please you and edify others.

PASSION: Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Matthew 22:37-39, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'." John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

Father, I pray that my kids will develop a passion for the things of God. I pray they will hunger and thirst for You and Your Word and will love You with all of their heart, soul, and mind. Give them compassionate and generous hearts to love others as much as You love them. I pray they will always work and study with excellence, but that You will help them desire a servant spirit of greatness, rather than a worldly lust for success. I pray they will fall in love with Jesus over and over again.

PERSPECTIVE: Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Matthew 28:18-20, "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Colossians 3:1-2, "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  Ephesians 3:17, "I pray that you would be rooted & grounded in love." 


Father, I pray that our kids will develop an eternal perspective and purpose, not an earthly one.  Help them to see life–and every challenge–through Your eyes, eager and unafraid to share with others the good news of Jesus wherever they go. I pray that they will set their minds on things above, not just what’s going on here, and that they will be rooted and grounded in Your love. I pray they will come to understand the extent of Your own love for them–that it surpasses all the head knowledge they will acquire in school. I pray they will be filled up with You from morning ’til night.
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PEOPLE:  Psalm 101:6, “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.”  Proverbs 13:20 (message), “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”  I Chronicles 12:22, “Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.”  Deuteronomy 34:9, “Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the Spirit of wisdom because Moses had placed his hands on him.” 
Father, I pray that our kids will walk with friends who are wise. I ask that my kids will have friends who love You, that they would be encouraged and accountable to one another and unafraid to stand for Truth.  I also ask You, Father, for mighty men & mighty women to surround my children. I pray for a strong community of mentors, leaders and spiritual fathers and mothers, that they would impart to my children what they carry, encouraging the next generation to stand on their shoulders.