We all have special prayer requests for our families, as well as ourselves. We want the Lord to keep our husbands safe and bless them as they’re at work and as they travel. We want the Lord to help our children to grow to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
With so much at stake, how can you be sure that you are praying for your family right and according to the Lord’s will?
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Praying for Your Family
Sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be. Especially, important things – like praying for your family.
Prayer simply put, is just talking to God. Sharing your request and praising Him.
One of the best ways to do this is by praying using God’s own words. The Bible is a treasure trove of powerful verses for praying over your family.
Three Reasons to Pray Using Scripture
1. The Word of God is powerful
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) tells us The Word of God is “living and powerful”. It was by His Words, that God created the universe and everything in it – that’s mighty powerful! (Genesis 1, John 1:1-3)
2. Scripture has been given to us as a gift to use
2 Peter 1 : 3-4 (NKJV), we see that God has, “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” and He’s “given to us exceedingly great and precious promises”
Here, Peter is encouraging us, by telling us that everything we need for living a dynamic and godly life (which includes praying) has been given to us as a gift when the Lord gave us His precious and magnificent promises, which we find in the Bible.
3. Using scripture to pray ensures us that we’re praying in accordance with God’s will.
As we pray using God’s own words as our guide, we can pray confidently knowing we are praying within His will.
Of course, we need to use wisdom.
We usually can’t claim verses that pertain to specific people. An obvious, example that would leave you disappointed, would be Matthew 1:21 (NKJV), “ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
If you are concerned that you will need help in this area, you’ve got it! Start by claiming James 1:5 (NKJV), which assures us,” If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
How to Pray Scripture
To pray using scripture start by selecting a passage and make it personal by adding names and pronouns and making words the proper tense. Below you will find several examples to work with.
The first section shows 2 examples of the same scripture passages. One is praying for a family member the other is an example of praying for yourself.
The second section is more paraphrased, based on combined scripture passages for a particular topic
Two Examples of A Scripture Passage to Pray
(NOTE: I don’t actually strike thru my Bible. I write the verses out the way I want to pray them and place them in my prayer journal. This is just to let you see my thinking process) .
Colossians 1:9-10 Amplified – For a Family Member
For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to (Dear Heavenly Father I) ask that you (Betty) may be filled with the knowledge of His (Your) will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you (she) may walk worthy of the (You) Lord, fully pleasing Him (You), being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of (You )God; strengthened with all might, according to His (Your) glorious power…
Here it is again. This time as a prayer for yourself.
Colossians 1:9-10 Amplified – For Yourself
For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to (Dear Heavenly Father I) ask that you ( I ) may be filled with the knowledge of His (Your) will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you ( I ) may walk worthy of the (You) Lord, fully pleasing Him (You), being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of (You )God; strengthened with all might, according to His (Your) glorious power…
Prayers by Topic
Here are three more examples of scripture-based prayers. These prayers are by topic and are more paraphrased, based on combined scripture passages for each particular topic.
In each of these, I’ve chosen to use the name, Carl. When you put your prayer together just replace the name in parenthesis and use the proper pronouns and tense. ( Don’t forget you can insert “I’ to pray for yourself as well)
At the end of this article, you will be able to print these out to use as starters, for praying for you and your family.
Strength
Based on: Isaiah 40:29-31, Philippians 1 :6, Ephesians 1:17-18
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word says You give power to the faint, and to them that have no might You increase their strength. I pray this for (Carl). Renew (his) strength, Lord. Let ( him) mount up with wings of eagles, let (him) run and not be weary, let (him) walk and not faint.
Strengthen (him) with all power, so that (he) may have great endurance and patience to finish the race you’ve set before (him). I Thank You, Lord, that Your word assures us that (he) will finish this race, that we can be confident of this very thing, that You who began a good work in (him) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Set (his) face like flint; determined to do Your will. As (he) runs this race, I pray that the eyes of (his) understanding be opened to know Your perfect will and the hope of (his) calling.
I praise and thank you, Lord.
In Your Precious Name Lord Jesus, Amen
Wisdom
Based on : James 1:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 3:5-6, Ps 19:14
Dear Lord,
I pray You give (Carl) wisdom, knowledge, insight, and discernment in all areas of their life so that (he) can live a life pleasing to You in every way. So that (his) life is filled with: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. Renew (his) mind so that (his) thoughts are on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, let (him) think on these things.
Let (him) not be wise in (his) own eyes but understand what Your will is. Let the words of (his) mouth and the meditations of (his) heart be pleasing to You. In all (his) ways let (him) acknowledge You, so You will direct (his) paths.
I praise and thank you, Lord.
In Your Precious Name Lord Jesus, Amen
Friends
Based on Proverbs 27:17, I Thessalonians 5:22, Proverbs, 20:7
These are good scriptures to pray over your children.
Dear Heavenly Father,
As iron sharpens iron, I pray You surround ( Carl) with godly friends who will encourage (him) to keep away from all appearance of evil and who will encourage (him) to walk close to You, to be honest, kind, and to please You in all (he )does.
I thank you, Lord.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen
A Glimpse of My Prayer Journal
Here is a glimpse of one of the pages from my prayer journal for my husband. This will give you idea of what it looks like when I pull all the verses together.
I glue these pages loosely because I change them from time to time. (As you can see, I also put a picture, in the corner, for each person)
I encourage you to search the scriptures and find verses to make your own. It will probably take some time (YIKES!!) and yes, a little work, but I am confident, this will be a real game changer (aka, a blessing!).
Uses this free printable to help get you started:
