Prayer Guide for Your Spouse and Children

Regardless of your current family situation, each of us have people we consider family.  It is easy to resort to worrying for our family or attempting to fix all of their situations, but are we strategically praying for them?

When King David was nearing his death, he prayed over the entire nation of Israel but eventually he focused his prayer specifically upon his family.  For the whole nation to hear, this father prayed a special prayer concerning his son.  Read 1 Chronicles 29:18-19 and notice what he asked of the Lord.

18 Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. 19 Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.”

In the same way that David prayed targeted prayers for his son, we need to get specific concerning our prayer targets for our family.  Write out the names of your family members and how you want to pray for each one of them.  What pivotal prayers need to be offered up regarding each family member?

Do some research and find at least 2-3 Bible verses you can pray over each one as well (I’ve got some for you below).  Scripture-saturated prayer (John 15:7) provide powerful clarity.

In addition, select what days you want to pray for each family member.  It may be every day or you may want to focus on certain family members on pivotal days.

  • Name
  • Prayer Needs
  • Verses to Pray
  • Days to Pray

Repeat that list for however many family members you want to include.

In addition, I wanted to include some helpful prayer focuses for you concerning your spouse and your children.

Prayers for Your Spouse

If you are not married, pray these things for yourself or your future spouse.

If you are married, pray these specific things for your spouse.

  1. Walk in integrity, keep promises, and fulfill commitments (Ps. 15112:1-9)
  2. Be patient, kind, hard to offend, and quick to forgive (Eph. 4:32James 1:19)
  3. Not get distracted or cower into passivity, but embrace responsibility (Neh. 6:1-4)
  4. Be surrounded with wise friends and avoid foolish friends (Prov. 13:201 Cor. 15:33)
  5. Use good judgment, pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Mic. 6:8)
  6. Depend upon God’s wisdom and strength rather than own (Prov. 3:5-6James 1:5)
  7. Make choices based upon the fear of God, not the fear of man (Prov. 9:1029:25)
  8. Break free from any bondage, bad habit, or addiction (John 8:3136Rom. 6:1-19)
  9. Find identity and satisfaction in God (Ps. 37:41 John 2:15-17)
  10. Read the Word of God and allow it to guide decisions (Ps. 119:105Matt. 7:24-27)

Prayers for Your Children

If you have children, consider praying these things for your children.

  1. That they would be blessed, protected, and prosperous in their role (3 John 2)
  2. Submit to the authority and ways of God and His Word daily (1 Pet. 2:13-17)
  3. Come to the knowledge of Christ and surrender to His lordship (1 Tim. 2:4)
  4. Use good judgment, pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Mic. 6:8)
  5. Walk in integrity, keep their promises, and fulfill their commitments (Ps. 15112:1-9)
  6. Not get distracted or cower into passivity, but embrace responsibility (Neh. 6:1-14)
  7. Respect all people without regard to their gender, race, or social status (1 Pet. 2:17)
  8. Hate evil, pride, injustice, and turn away from Satan’s lies and schemes (1 Pet. 5:8)
  9. Become hard workers who faithfully fulfill their duties (Prov. 6:6-11Luke 12:42-44)
  10. Make choices based upon the fear of God, not the fear of man (Prov. 9:1029:25)