What do you ask God for when it comes to your children?
Many of us probably pray for our children’s health, safety, friendships, school issues, and maybe their future spouse (if it’s God’s will that they marry).
As I read Colossians 1:9-12 recently, I discovered a list of prayers that Paul prayed for the Christians there that could also apply to our children.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…
What a wonderful passage to base our prayers on!
Taking our cues from these verses, let’s look at six important prayers that we can pray for our children.
Let’s pray that they will…
1. Be filled with the knowledge of His will.
How important this is, especially as our children grow older and begin to make life-impacting decisions. Yet even in the early years, we can pray that they will be sensitive when the Holy Spirit speaks to their hearts.
2. Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.
My heart’s desire for my daughters is that they will live lives that are pleasing to God. This begins with simple obedience to parents and kindness to others, then grows as they learn more of what He wants from His children. Pray that they will have hearts that desire to please God and walk in His will.
3. Be fruitful in every good work.
Lately, I’ve been praying for opportunities for my girls to serve others, and have seen the Lord answer that prayer. We can set the example here, too, by letting them see ways that we’re serving the Lord in our own lives.
4. Increase in the knowledge of God.
Here, again, I can lead by example as they see me read and study the Bible. Also, having family Bible time and working on Bible memory verses together can help our children learn more about God. Let’s pray that they will always be growing in their knowledge of God.
5. Be strengthened by His power.
Whether it’s courage to stand alone for Christ or fortitude to go through a trial, it’s important that our children recognize that God can give them His power to handle any situation. As we know a struggle that they’re facing, we can pray for God to give them strength as they walk through it.
6. Thank God for all He’s done.
What better trait could we hope for than for our children to have grateful hearts! Let’s pray that they will learn to recognize God’s goodness in their lives and praise Him for it.
What other specific prayers do you pray for your children?
Be sure to check out my printable prayer guide How to Pray the Bible for Yourself and Your Family!
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I had never thought about praying this passage for my children, but you're right that it's full of things for them.
Oh, yes!!! So powerful!!!