I’ve always prayed for my children, even while still in my womb. When we got involved in an international adoption, I was awakened again to the importance of a parent’s prayers and how every child needs to be bathed in prayer.

We regularly pray for our adopted son’s health because he lives in an orphanage in Haiti, a country where medical care and supplies are limited. Our four children pray that their brother will be “safe and healthy.” Knowing that he shares a small room with a dozen or so other kids, I always pray that he has a good night’s sleep, because sleep is so important to overall health and development.

On a deeper level, I’ve prayed that the spirit of abandonment be gone from his life and that he be filled with the spirit of adoption. I pray that he senses the comfort of the Holy Spirit and knows that his Father in heaven is holding him in the palm of His hand.

We have such a wonderful privilege to be able to pray into our children’s lives the things we want to see come to pass. The following are some things we can pray for our kids:

Character

Pray that your child will develop strong character so he or she can stand up for what is true.

Purpose

God has a very specific plan and purpose for our children’s lives, as He indicated to the Israelites who were captives in Babylon: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’” says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11). Pray that your child will fulfill his or her destiny and that each day will be lived intentionally and full of purpose.

Mind

Pray that your child be transformed by the renewing of his or her mind (see Romans 12:2) because what he or she thinks determines the outcome: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Example

As believers, we want our children to be a Christ-like example to the world in our speech, faith, and everyday lifestyle. Pray 1 Timothy 4:12 over your child: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

Friends

1 Corinthians 15:33 says that bad company corrupts good character, and it’s true. Pray that God will give your child strong friends and that he or she will be a faithful friend to others.

Discernment

Pray that your child will have discernment to make wise choices and know the truth of God. “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. “All who fear the Lord will hate evil” (Proverbs 8:12-13).

Money

Pray that God will give your child a heart for good stewardship and that he or she will always view money as a resource for Kingdom purposes.

Contentment

Pray that your child will know contentment: “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything… with plenty or little… For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Growth

Pray that your child will always desire to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. “But we are looking forward to… a world filled with God’s righteousness… while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight” (2 Peter 3:13-14).

Hope

Pray that your child learns to make every thought in alignment with the truth from above: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4,5, NKJV).

Safety

Pray that God will give His angels charge over your child to accompany, defend, and preserve his or her life: “If you make the Lord your refuge, He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11).

Emotions

Pray that your child will be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry… and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (James 1:19,21).

Love

There’s nothing greater than love. The love of Christ manifested through our children will change the world. Pray that your child will keep God’s Word so that the love of Christ is perfected in him or her, for “those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him” (1 John 2:5). 

This article was previously printed in The War Cry.