I’ve been praying daily for my girls since they were babies. Some of these prayers were written in journals, and others were whispered into feverish nights, middle-school heartbreaks, and cross-continental travels. Some prayers stir within my own heart, while others I borrow straight from Scripture.

This practice of praying a morning prayer for my children has helped me trust God to watch over them, even when I can’t. This has been so helpful for me now that my girls are grown as well. One of our daughters is serving in full-time ministry in Indonesia, on the other side of the world. And the other is studying for her master’s, on the other side of the country. I’ve found that my most effective parenting strategy as an empty-nester parent? Is prayer.

Perhaps you’re in a struggle to trust God with your kids. Whether they are young or grown, walking with God or choosing their own way, you want the best for them. In moments like this, our best parenting happens … through prayer.

When worry creeps in, as I know it does, you and I can pause right in the moment to pray over our children. When our hearts break, right alongside theirs, we can lift our kids up to Jesus. When they enter new and exciting seasons, we have the ability to bless their next steps. When they face tough decisions, we can ask God to grant them wisdom. And when they doubt their self-worth, we can ask God to be the loudest, kindest voice in their ears. 

Let’s never, ever underestimate the power of prayer. God hears every word you pray, and He loves your children even more than you possibly can.

How I Turn Scripture into a Morning Prayer for My Children

Today, I’d like to walk you through how I pray God’s Word over my girls. Many Bible verses and Scripture passages can easily be personalized as prayers. And you know what? When we pray according to what God has already promised, He says an eager yes!

Turning Bible verses and passages into prayers is quite simple. (I’ll offer a few examples below!) In short, where there is a general pronoun in the Bible verse, insert the name of the person you are praying for. When talking directly to God, you can change Him and He to You.

If the sentence structure feels awkward, adjust it as needed (without changing the meaning). You might:

• Turn questions into statements.
• Add the word “may” to make a statement a blessing.
• Remind yourself of what God has promised.

I’ll show you a few examples, using verses I’ve prayed often over my children and other people in my life.

Personalize Ephesians 1:17-19 as a Prayer

A prayer in the Bible I often turn to when I’m praying for others is one that Paul himself prayed. You can feel the intensity of God’s love and holiness in Paul’s words. When we pray these verses, it’s like we get a glimpse of the relationship Paul had with God—for the person we are praying for, and for ourselves.

This prayer is one I’ve adapted from Ephesians 1:17-19 NIV. I like to add the name of the child I’m praying for. Are you ready? Let’s try this together.

Glorious Father, give (child’s name) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that (he/she) may know You better. I pray that the eyes of (name’s) heart may be enlightened in order that (he/she) may know the hope to which You have called (him/her), the riches of Your glorious inheritance in Your holy people, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. 

Personalize Psalm 91 as a Prayer

Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer of blessing and protection, and it’s one of my favorites to pray over my daughters. This is a prayer you can’t wear out, even if you pray it daily. Not only are you covering your children in the faithfulness of God, you’re also reminding your own heart that you can trust God with them.

When praying scripture over children (or other people), feel free to use the Bible translation you’re most familiar with, or reach for another with language that sounds more similar to how you speak. 

The following prayer is adapted (and shortened) from Psalm 91 NLT. Simply insert your child’s name to pray these powerful promises from God over him or her.

May (child’s name) live in Your shelter, Most High,
    and find rest in Your shadow, Almighty God.

May (name) declare about You:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    He is my God, and I trust Him.

Lord, rescue (name) from every trap
    and protect (him/her) from deadly disease.

Cover (name) with Your feathers.
  Shelter (him/her) with Your wings.
  May Your faithful promises be (name’s) armor and protection.

May (name) not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

May (name) not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

As (name) makes You (his/her) refuge and shelter, 

    send angels to protect (him/her) wherever (he/she) goes). 

May Your angels hold (name) up with their hands 

    so (he/she) won’t even hurt (his/her) foot on a stone.

May (name) trample upon lions and cobras;
    may (name) crush fierce lions and serpents under (his/her) feet!

Lord, You promise to rescue those who love You 

    and protect those who trust in Your name.

    Rescue and protect (name).

When (name) calls on You, You promise to answer;
    Be with (name) in trouble.
    Rescue and honor (him or her).

Reward (name) with a long life
    and give (him/her) Your salvation.

Personalize Proverbs 3:5-6 as a Prayer

This familiar verse is one I often tell my own anxious heart. It makes for a powerful morning prayer for my children — and my own self! So try it:

Pray it over yourself.

Pray it over your kids.

Pray it over your spouse.

Pray it over your friends.

Lord, help (name, or me) trust in You with all (his/her/my) heart,

    and lean not on (his/her/my) own understanding.

May (name, or I) submit all my ways to You,

    so You will make (his/her/my) paths straight.

* adapted from Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Now it’s your turn. Choose one of your favorite Bible verses and turn it into a morning prayer for your children. Let me know in the comments which verse you’re praying this morning.

I’m over here, praying for you from my little corner of the world. I’m praying for peace to fill your heart as you trust God with your kids. And I’m praying that all the pressure you’ve felt to pray a “perfect” prayer will disappear. God simply wants to hear your heart. Say it in your own way or borrow His words to pray back to Him. God is listening. 

Save or Share the Morning Prayers for My Children

If you found these prayers helpful, you can save or share them below.

How to Love Your Morning

One last thing! Have I told you about my newest book, How to Love Your Morning? I’m convinced that you and I, friend, are morning people – even when we don’t rise early – because God is a morning person! God seems to have a soft spot mornings, as I found from studying every reference to mornings in the Bible. (Can you believe there are over 200 of them?!) 

No matter what time you wake up, your morning is shaped by how you wake up. What if you could begin your day with intention, hope, and God’s presence? If you’ll give me the chance, I’ll show you how to create morning rituals that match your season of life, not someone else’s formula. 

Tap below to preorder How to Love Your Morning…

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Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz

P.S. — Check out our full library of morning resources, by clicking here.