With the billions of young people under 20 years of age, I am increasingly feeling impressed by the Holy Spirit to pray for children, including my own children. Below are some of the prayers I’ve been praying. I encourage you to pray them, too.
The priestly benediction Moses and Aaron prayed over the Israelites–
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and
be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance
upon you, and give you peace.” (New Revised Standard Version)
The prayer from Psalm 19:14
“May the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (New Revised Standard Version)
The blessing from II Corinthians 13:13
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” (New Revised Standard Version)
Paul’s prayer from Philippians 1:6
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (New Revised Standard Version)
And finally, these two prayers from The Book of Common Prayer
“Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”
“God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
As you pray, insert the names of your own children, your children’s friends or any children you know by name. Keep praying, brothers…!
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