Prayer Topic #12:
A Prayer for Children and Youth
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 95:1-7, Mark 10:13-16
Reflections of the Heart:
“Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.” – Henry Ward Beecher, Reverend and Social Activist.
Scriptural Prayer:
Great and Holy Father, You are King over all the earth. Thank You for rewarding us with the gift of beautiful, healthy, strong, and bright children and youth. They are indeed a blessing! Thank You for all the opportunities You afford us to be affected by their innocent wonder and joyful enthusiasm. May we always seek to emulate these qualities in our own walk of faith. Thank You for keeping our children and youth safe and always in Your watchful care. Thank You for being their Heavenly Father. We will proclaim Your power. We will meditate on Your majesty, Your glorious splendor, and Your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue and we will proclaim Your greatness. We will all share the story of Your wonderful goodness.
Glorious Father, as the Body of Christ, we confess that our children and youth will obey their parents because they know it pleases You. We decree that, as their parents, we will treat them with kindness and understanding so as not to aggravate them and cause them to become discouraged. Worthy Father, it is Your will that we walk in integrity before our children and youth and that they be blessed as they follow our example. We declare that they will not follow the advice of the wicked, nor stand around with sinners, neither will they join in with mockers. But they will delight in Your Word. We proclaim that our children and youth will run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, they will pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. They will enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. We confess that our children and youth are taught of You and Your Word, and they will enjoy great peace.
Father, I commit to intercede for (list the names of children and youth in your life and pray for their specific needs):
Holy Spirit, we ask You to move upon the hearts of our unsaved children and youth to confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead so that they can be saved. Please remind them of the Godly instruction they have received so that when they are older, they will not leave it. Heal the hearts and mend the wounds of those children who are without their parents due to illness, death, incarceration, or abandonment. Encourage them with the assurance that no matter what happens, You will never fail or abandon them. Please protect them from any labels, evil words, or comments that society may try to place upon them. Teach them to know that because they are united with Christ they have an inheritance. Let them not be ashamed of the Good News about Christ. Please lead parents to get an understanding of the importance of their role in their children’s lives and give them the strength to lead by the best example. Give our children a compassionate heart so that they might forgive their parents’ weaknesses and failings.
Almighty Father, forgive the sins of our children and youth (specifically list the sins). Forgive parents who are too distracted with the pursuit of worldly gain to properly and appropriately nurture their children. Forgive our parents for (specifically list parental sins). Forgive parents who abuse or neglect their children. Heal and deliver them from generational curses that cut them off from the rich and satisfying life that Jesus came to give them. Holy Father, please forgive our children and youth who have foolishly despised wisdom and brought grief and bitterness to their parents. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy Spirit, remind our children and youth of those they need to forgive and help them to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to show you names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He shows you, say aloud, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help our children and youth not to yield to temptation; but deliver them from the evil one.
Lord, You are the Lion of Judah, the heir of David’s throne. You have won the victory! How awesome are Your deeds! Your enemies cringe before Your mighty power. Everything on earth will sing Your praises; shouting Your name in glorious songs. By Your great power, You rule forever. You, O Mighty God, watch over every movement of the nations. All honor and glory to You, our Omnipotent King, forever and ever! You are the eternal King, the unseen One who never dies. You alone are God! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture References for the Written Text: Psalm 47:7, Psalm 127:3, Psalm 145:4-7, Colossians 3:20-21, Proverbs 20:7, Psalm 1:1-2, II Timothy 2:22, Psalm 119:165, Romans 10:9, Proverbs 22:6, Hebrews 13:5, Ephesians 1:11, Romans 1:16, I John 2:16, John 10:10, Matthew 6:13, Revelation 5:5, Psalm 66:3-4, 7, I Timothy 1:17
Today I will trust God to:
© Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. ©2023 Caldwell Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved — No reproduction of the material is permitted without the expressed permission of CMI
