10 Important Prayers to Pray for My College-Bound Daughter

If I was wondering what month it is, the weather would definitely let me know that it’s July here in coastal South Carolina! No matter how early in the morning I go out for my daily walks, it’s just constantly HOT. But we’ve had some nice sunshine lately, so I’m thankful for that.

If you read here regularly, you know that our younger daughter is leaving for college next month. The empty nest is upon us, and I’m having lots of feelings about it! She’s now in the midst of taking placement tests and registering for classes. She’s also virtually meeting other freshman girls who could potentially be her roommates.

For months now I’ve been praying that God would give her good roommates. I saw Him provide this in a wonderful way for our older daughter. She didn’t really know anyone to request to room with her first year. But God put her in a dorm room with three sweet girls that were a perfect fit. There was no drama between the four of them all year and it was truly a blessing!

There are lots of things I want to pray for my daughter as she leaves for college. Today I’m pulling ten ideas from Paul’s prayers that we find in the Bible. I think he’s a pretty good example to follow!

I pray that my daughter…

…would know God’s will.

“For this cause we…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;” ~Colossians 1:9

She will make so many decisions in these next four years – what major to study, which friends to spend time with, classes to take, groups to join, boys to date. May her heart and mind be open to God’s leading.

…would be fruitful in God’s work.

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” ~Colossians 1:10

May the next four years be productive ones for her! Whether she’s studying for a test or ministering to others, I pray that she will do all for the glory of God.

…will increase in her knowledge of God.

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” ~Colossians 1:10

I’m thankful she’ll be in a Christian college. She’ll be exposed to God’s Word in church and chapel services as well as in the classroom. But most of all, I pray that she’ll develop a personal walk with God that will continue for the rest of her life.

…will get her strength from God.

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” ~Colossians 1:11

My daughter will face a lot of new challenges over the next four years. There will be times when she feels overwhelmed and exhausted. May she learn to rely on God and His power to accomplish what needs to be done.

…won’t lose hope.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” ~Romans 15:13

I don’t know what her future holds. But I know that in God, there is always hope. No matter how desperate the situation looks, may she have the faith to believe that.

…will know the peace of God at all times.

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.” ~2 Thessalonians 3:16

There will be days when her peace is threatened by a difficult relationship, heavy workload, or any number of distractions. But as she looks to God for help, He can provide peace in her soul.

…will approve things that are excellent.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” ~Philippians 1:9-10

She’s going to have lots of chances to make decisions for herself starting next month. I pray that she’ll choose wisely the places she goes, the people she hangs out with, and the way she uses her time.

…will avoid sin.

“Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest…” ~2 Corinthians 13:7

May God protect her from evil. And may she choose the “way of escape” when temptation comes calling. [1 Corinthians 10:13]

…would know God’s love.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” ~Ephesians 3:14-19

There may be a day that she wakes up lonely and feeling unloved. I pray that she will take those emotions to God and that His love will flow over her and give her the courage to go on.

…will trust God as He performs His work in her.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy…Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” ~Philippians 1:3-6

She doesn’t know today all that God will do in her life over the next four years. Yet He has a plan, and He will be faithful to work it out as she trusts Him.

How grateful and blessed we are to face a new season of life being confident that God hears our prayers and loves our young adult children even more than we do!

Related posts:

• 10 Prayers to Pray for Your Daughter
• 3 Prayers to Pray As We Learn to Let Go of Our Teenagers
• Journaling Prayers for Our Children