Whatever you do bathe your son or daughter in prayer. Here are 10 Scriptural truths of prayer to encourage and guide your prayer life for your children:

• It is a sin not to pray for them:

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by

failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and

right.” (I Samuel 12:23)

• You should not grow weary or give up in prayer: persevere:

“Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should

always pray and not give up.”  (Luke 18:1f)

• When you pray for your child, try to clear your mind from clutter and your heart from selfishness ( or those passions and sins that are so often uncontrolled in our lives):

“The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-

controlled so that you can pray.”  (I Peter 4:7)

• You should pray with faith and trust that God will answer you:

“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of

Him.” (I Samuel 1:27)

• As busy parents, you can pray at any time for your child: when changing diapers, watching ball games, being a chauffer, etc. However, you should also schedule a regular, hopefully, uninterrupted, quiet time to pray for them:

“Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

(Ephesians 6:18)

• Prayer changes things for good for your children and you:

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

(James 5:16)

• Your character is developed and reflected in and by your prayer life:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

(Romans 12:1-12, see especially vs. 12)

• Do whatever it takes to keep your prayers unhindered before God:

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”   (Psalm 66:18)

• Since you are passionate about your children, your prayers will

become quite passionate as well; yet always remember who God is

and submit reverently to Him:

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and

petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him

from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

(Hebrews 5:7)

“Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

• In all your prayers remember that your tireless interceder in God’s presence is the Lord Jesus who sympathizes with your weaknesses, has been tempted like you, but without sin:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with

our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every

way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the

throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and

find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

I pray that these Scriptural truths will motivate and encourage you to pray for the children God has entrusted to you. By the enabling of the Holy Spirit, may these passages warn you about the enemy, your feelings of frustration and weariness, and your attitude in what you may perceive as God’s silence or lack of answers: at least the answers you expect on your time schedule. God’s answers may be different than what you want or not when you desire them. But will a loving Father give His child a snake or a scorpion? Or will He give him what He knows is best? (Luke 11:11-13) No matter the circumstances, persevere like the widow in Luke 18. You will not regret your perseverance when you stand before the Lord in heaven. When God says to a parent, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” it will most likely be the case that He will turn and say the same to the children He placed in your care: for they will be there with you!

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About the author

Stephen Leonard
Stephen W. Leonard is a retired military chaplain with over 34 years in the Army. He served in combat as an Infantry Officer before becoming a chaplain. He is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and has been the pastor of several churches. He is the founder of a national Youth Leadership Conference and has been the Director of National and International Chaplain ministries. He has degrees from Wheaton College in Illinois, Covenant Theological Seminary in Missouri, and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Stephen is the writer of the weekly devotional series, Strength for the Day. He has also written the booklet "How to Pray for Your Child" as a resource for parents. Stephen is married to Glenda Anderson Leonard, co-founder of the PAYH.