I love my children. Being a parent is wonderful and fun and exhausting and frustrating. There are moments when I think, “We got this!”, and others where I want to pull my hair out and think, “What are we doing wrong?!”. I think every involved and caring parent goes through these emotions, and it’s completely natural to feel both of these emotions within 5 minutes of each other…several times a day…every…single…day.

My youngest daughter is quiet and shy when you first meet her. She tries to think before she speaks because she doesn’t want to say something wrong. She is a rule follower to a “T”. She makes her bed, she pulls her clothes out for school the night before, she helps make her lunch. Don’t get me wrong, she does grumble and mumble and throw a fit at times, but in the end she does her best to follow the rules and be a good listener. She loves her big sister and they play well together. She also often helps her big sister with her tasks around the house…and makes sure her sister knows she is helping her.

My oldest is what you would call…a strong-willed child…to the extreme. She has her own mind, and when things don’t go the way she has planned, she explodes. Like dynamite. Next to an oil rig. Or maybe a nuclear meltdown…taking down everything and everyone within a close radius. Now, I understand this makes it sound like she’s a spoiled brat and that we give her everything she wants and that she rules the house. You can think what you want, but let me tell you this, you don’t live with a veritable walking tornado. On the other hand, my oldest is also incredibly sweet and has a huge heart. She can walk up to anyone and give them a genuine compliment. She loves her little sister more than anything (even though she picks on her at times). She is an amazing big sister, overall. 

My kids couldn’t be more different, yet they also compliment each other well. One is quiet, the other loud. One is shy, one is outgoing. One follows the rules, the other makes up her own rules.They both love reading and music, going to the park, and playing games. They support each other, they hold each other accountable, and they stick up for each other one minute, while throwing each other under the bus the next minute. As of right now, they are best friends. 

I have learned from others and through my own walk of faith that prayer is a strong weapon and ally when it comes to raising children. Surrounding them with prayer is like suiting them up in battle armor and sending them out into the world. When I found out I was pregnant, I began praying for godly attributes and health. When I found I was pregnant with my second, I began praying for a strong, healthy and godly bond between the siblings. After my girls were born, my Grandma gave me a paper with the Ephesians 1:17 and Colossians 1:9 prayer on them to pray over my kids daily. If you’ve never heard of these or read them, you can read them right here, below:

“I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called - his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in him.” ~ Ephesians 1:17-19 NLT

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.” ~ Colossians 1:9-12 NLT

My husband and I pray these every night over our girls, and they have started to memorize the verses and say them with us. We also say a blessing over them each night.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26

There are so many areas of their life you can pray over! Here are a few more ideas, with various topics within each category:

1. Their Heart
   1. A heart for God
   2. A humble heart
   3. A forgiving heart
   4. A thankful heart
   5. A guarded heart
   6. A courageous heart
   7. A peaceful heart
2. Their Mind
   1. Wisdom
   2. Understanding God’s Word
   3. Self-Control
   4. Freedom from Fear
   5. Discernment
   6. Renewed Mind
   7. Joyful Thoughts
3. Their Relationships
   1. Loving others
   2. Godly friendships
   3. Respect for authority
   4. Unity with siblings
   5. Compassion for others
   6. Witness to others
   7. Healing relationships
4. Their Purpose
   1. Their calling
   2. Obedience to God
   3. Strength in challenges
   4. Trust in God
   5. Faithfulness
   6. Boldness for Christ
   7. Hope for the Future
5. Their Protection
   1. Protection from harm
   2. Protection from temptation
   3. Protection from fear
   4. Protection from negative influences
   5. Protection from spiritual attacks
   6. Protection from anxiety and worry
   7. Protection of the purpose and calling

There are, of course, so many other areas that are not covered here, including health and wellness. 

Here are a few examples of Scripture that supports this last section of praying over their protections, along with an example prayer, and an application to help teach your children about the power of prayer and scripture.

Protection From Harm

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” ~ Psalm 121:8

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” ~ Psalm 18:2

Prayer: Lord, I pray for Your divine protection over my children. Guard them physically, emotionally, and spiritually from harm. Be their shield in times of trouble and their refuge in moments of danger. May they always trust in You as their protector and defender.

Application: Pray Psalm 18:2 over your child today. You can also teach them to pray for God’s protection whenever they feel unsafe.

Protection from Temptation

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

Prayer: Father, I ask that You guard my children’s hearts and minds against temptation. Help them recognize right from wrong and give them the strength to stand firm in their faith. When temptation comes, show them the way out and remind them that You are always with them.

Application: Have a conversation with your child about making godly choices and trusting God to help them resist temptation.

Protection from Fear

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10

Prayer: Lord, I pray that my children will not be ruled by fear but will trust in You. Help them to remember that You are always with them, guiding and strengthening them in every situation. Fill their hearts with Your perfect peace.

Application: Encourage your child to memorize Isaiah 41:10 and repeat it whenever they feel afraid.

Protection from Negative Influences

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” — 1 Corinthians 15:33

Prayer: Father, shield my children from negative influences that would lead them away from Your truth. Surround them with godly friendships and mentors who will encourage them to walk in righteousness. Give them discernment to recognize what is good and pleasing to You.

Application: Talk to your child about the importance of choosing godly friends and role models.

Protection from Spiritual Attacks

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” ~ Ephesians 6:11

Prayer: Lord, equip my children with the full armor of God. Protect their hearts, minds, and souls from the enemy’s schemes. Help them to stand firm in faith, rooted in Your truth, and confident in Your power.

Application: Teach your child about the armor of God and how they can use scripture as a defense against spiritual attacks.

Protection from Anxiety & Worry

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:7

Prayer: God, I pray that my children will not be weighed down by anxiety or worry. Help them to trust in You, knowing that You are in control. May they always turn to You in times of uncertainty and find peace in Your presence.

Application: Encourage your child to write down any worries they have and then pray together, giving them to God.

Protection of Their Purpose & Calling

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~ Ephesians 2:10

Prayer: Lord, protect the calling You have placed on my children’s lives. Keep them from distractions, discouragement, or anything that would hinder them from fulfilling the purpose You have for them. May they always walk confidently in the plans You have prepared for them.

Application: Help your child discover and explore their gifts and talents, encouraging them to use them for God’s glory.

If you find these examples helpful and want to learn more or get more Scriptures, Prayer ideas and Applications for each of the categories and topics listed below, click here to check out our 30 Day Devotional that has all of these included!

I pray this was helpful, and that you continue to be bold in your prayer over your loved ones! 

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” ~ Numbers 6:24-26