12 Things to Pray for Our Kids
When we pray, do we lift up all-about-me-and-my-comfort prayers? Do we pray for growth, God’s intervention, the needs of others? What should we pray?
I recently heard a youth pastor pray at a middle school gathering. In the course of his prayer, he asked that the weather would be sunny for their picnic (even though the area’s farmers were suffering during the drought) and that they would get the money for the planned youth area climbing wall. He concluded the prayer by thanking the Lord that a pizza restaurant had burned down. The inconvenience of having to go to the restaurant’s temporary location to get the pizza for the gathering allowed them to get it free of charge. He failed to pray for the restaurant owners who had lost more than $400,000.
Something to think about.
When it comes to knowing what to pray for ourselves and the kids in our care, God’s Word provides the best examples.
12 Things to Pray:
1. That we may not do wrong, but that we may do what is right. (2 Corinthians 13:7)
2. That the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened (that we might have wisdom and discernment). (Ephesians 1:18)
3. That we would be strengthened. (Ephesians 3:16)
4. That we would be rooted and established in love. (Ephesians 3:17)
5. That we would have the power to understand how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3:17)
6. That we would have the words to make known the Gospel. (Ephesians 6:19)
7. That our love might abound more with knowledge. (Philippians 1:9)
8. That God would open the door for the message of grace. (Colossians 4:3)
9. That we would stand firm in the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)
10. That the name of Jesus would be glorified in us. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
11. That the message of the Lord would spread rapidly because of our testimony. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
12. That we are so very, very thankful for the kids and other adults in our ministry. (Ephesians 1:16)
The next time you read your Bible, look for other examples you could pray for those you care most about and share them with us in the comments.
For more resources on prayer, follow the links below.
Prioritizing Prayer: The Practice of Praying for Others
Practical Prayer Ideas for Your Children’s Ministry
This blog, originally written by an Awana staff writer in 2014, has been updated by the current Awana Editorial Team.
The Awana Editorial team is a group of people passionate about child discipleship and the equipping of leaders for the advancement of the kingdom. We have a breadth of experience in children’s ministry, and our heart beats with the stories of what God is doing around the world. We have an affinity for salty snacks and the occasional sweet treat, and we believe that everything is better with a good cup of coffee!
