Children are a precious gift from God. So, when the challenges of life come along, it’s easy to fear for their futures and well-being. But praise God, we have the gift of praying for children we know and love, and those around the world who may be facing difficult times. Moreover, we’re reminded that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us too – we’re not alone!
Praying for children is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent, carer or compassionate Christian. That’s why we’ve gathered together 10 prayers for children.
When inclined to worry about the future of our children – as we naturally do from time to time – use this special collection of prayers to lift up your children to our loving Heavenly Father.
Philippians 4:6-7 highlights the power of prayer in guarding both ours and our children’s hearts and minds ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and 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.’
So, be encouraged by our unique prayers for children written by Compassion Ambassadors to help your prayer life.
“Father God, we ask for your blessing today as we pray these prayers over our children’s lives. We praise you that every day we can trust in your goodness. Amen”
Take encouragement from the fact that our God is fully in control of all things, and we’re all a child of God! Remind yourself that “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Prayer: Lord God, we praise you that you are fully in control of all things. I pray you would protect my child. Keep them healthy and help them to thrive. I thank you that you know every hair on their head. You know exactly when they rise and when they fall. Watch over my child in every area of their life and keep them safe I pray, Amen.
As well as praying for your children, it’s great to make a difference in your prayers by remembering some of the most vulnerable children around the world. Praise God, that when you sponsor a child living in poverty, you give them security and hope for the future!
We invited singer-songwriters and Compassion ambassadors, Chloe Reynolds and Philippa Hanna, to share a prayer for kids around the world.
A prayer for precious children around the world from Philippa Hanna:
Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you so much for all the precious children in this world. We know they mean so much to you. We pray you would help us do all we can to protect and give them the start in life they deserve. Lord we bring to you all of the wonderful work being done to release children from poverty, and we pray that you would bless every pair of hands that works for you. Increase and bless their efforts in Jesus name, Amen.
A prayer of thanks to Christ know knew what it was like to be a child by Chloe Reynolds:
Thank you Jesus that you have lived here as one of us, you know what it’s like to be a child, and to feel everything that children feel. Thank you that we as adults have everything we need to encourage, nurture and provide for those in need.
I pray for children around the world that you would be in their lives and they would grow up knowing they are loved by you. As you bless them with opportunities in their local projects, I pray they would be able to change lives for others in their communities too. Amen
In the uncertainty of life, give thanks that God has good plans for your children. Jeremiah 29:11 says exactly this: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you that all good gifts come from you. I thank you that I can trust you for the future of my family. Please guide my child in every step they take. I pray they would know your provision and protection. Make steady their steps I pray. Amen
Praise almighty God for the educational opportunities He’s given your child! Pray for them to grow in intrigue and wonder at world around them. Ask that they would develop a real love of learning. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
Prayer: God I thank you for the gift of knowledge! I praise you that you provide us with brains to think and question the world around us. I pray you would help my child learn well and flourish. May they discover their unique talents and giftings. Give them a passion for the world around them. Amen
As these Bible verses about friendship remind us, relationships truly are a gift. Take a moment to pray for your child to know the support of great friends around them.
Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you made us to be in relationship with others. I pray for my child to know great care and support from those around them. May they be encouraged by friends at school, college or university. May they show your love and care to their friendship circle. Amen
Child advocate and President Emeritus of Compassion, Wess Stafford, shares a prayer for all those caring for children to know God’s patience and grace. Take time to pray that you would know God’s hand on your life as you care for children.
Prayer: We love You so much, Lord! We surrender fully to You and pray that Your love will guide us today and every day. May we simply be conduits of Your love to the children in our care. Amen
“Watch carefully the children around you. In precious moments you will catch a glimpse of your Saviour’s face. Listen intently and you will hear his voice. Walk gently among them; his footprints are all around you. Embrace them, for you are embracing him. Respect them, because they are sometimes God’s agents – exactly the kind of instruments he needs. At such times, only a child will do.” Wess Stafford
Babies are such a precious gift. Thank God that He is the author and giver of life! “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13
Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for the gift of new life. We thank you for this precious baby’s safe arrival into our world. We pray this baby would sleep peacefully and be kept from harm. We pray you would bless this child as they grow. Keep them safe and strong in the weeks, months and years ahead. Give us grace and strength through the highs and lows of caring for a newborn baby. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Being a teenager can be tough. We hope this prayer will spur you on to pray for your teenager to know the faithfulness of God through both challenges and joys.
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for my teenage son or daughter to know your goodness and provision. I pray they would place their identity in you. I ask that in the pressures of life, they would know you are their rock on which they can stand. I pray that through the challenges of school life, exams, and future decisions, you would lead them, guide them and bring them comfort. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Use this helpful prayer to guide you in praying for your son as they grow up.
Prayer: Father God, I praise you for the gift of my son. I pray he would follow after you and be a builder of your kingdom. I ask that you would protect and steady his steps. May he learn to hear and follow your voice. Like Timothy in the Bible, may my son be an example to believers in speech, love, conduct, faith and purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) Amen
Take a moment to give thanks for the gift of your daughter. Why not let her know ‘I pray for you’ as an encouragement?
Let these words spur you on as you pray for her future.
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for the precious gift of my daughter. I pray you would protect her through the years. May she become a young woman of great character, seeking after your heart. I pray that through the challenges of life, she would find her confidence in you. May she know your joy as her strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen.
As we open God’s Word we don’t need to lean on our own understanding as there are so many different devotional prayers we can use to pray with and over our children. Proverbs 22:6 says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ And so it is with prayers. When you pour into a child’s life and teach them these Biblical prayers, as adult children, they’ll still remember them.
A child’s prayer can be beautiful and powerful. As well as praying for your children, it’s also great to encourage your kids to pray simple prayers themselves. Let this collection of prayers for kids help your child as they reach out to their Heavenly Father.
Morning prayers for kids
Teaching your children to pray in the morning is really simple and it’s a great foundational habit to teach them. These are some ideas of morning prayers your child can use as a guide:
Bedtime prayers for children
Some children may find it easier to pray at bedtime. Use this selection of children’s bedtime prayers to connect with God during your child’s nighttime routine:
We’d love you to share these prayers for children, so others are encouraged to pray for and with their children.
Words by Becca Stanley
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Compassion UK Christian Child Development, registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059). A company limited by guarantee, Registered in England and Wales company number 03719092. Registered address: Compassion House, Barley Way, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.
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