How I Practically Pray for My Children

A few years ago, a dear friend’s mother passed away from a long battle with breast cancer. I will never forget her celebration of life, where someone talked about how much she prayed for her 3 children. And how they were now adults, living out that legacy of prayer. 

I decided then that I also would want that said about me at my funeral – that I prayed relentlessly for my children. But I didn’t know where to start. Slowly, I started adding the glorious into the mundane – praying for my children during the most mundane tasks of my day. It has become a very practical and rewarding way to honor the gift that God has given me through my children.

Here are ideas for how you can incorporate prayer for your children throughout the day:

1. Laying them down to sleep. I pray that they would have good dreams and that they would know that God can give them more than they could ask or imagine. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

2. Folding their clothes. I pray that God would clothe them His chosen wardrobe. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

3. Preparing their meals. I pray that God would strengthen their bones and muscles, and they would “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10

4. When I am washing their hair, or putting in pigtails. I pray that they would think about good things, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

5. When I am helping them put on socks or shoes, or putting away their shoes. I pray that they would stand secure with God, “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” Psalm18:33

6. When I am doing their dishes. I pray for their future homes and families. That they may one day boldly declare, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

7. While I am driving them to and fro, I pray that the Lord will direct their path, and that they would trust Him with it. “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

8. When I see my hair greying, my face lining with wrinkles, and the years go by too quickly, I pray, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” Psalm 127:3-4

In little ways, in mundane moments, I am interceding for my children, and knowing that God hears my prayers. Find ways in your everyday, maybe sometimes repetitive life, to pray for your children.