31 Biblical VirtuesTo Pray for Your Children. . .

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As parents, the time we spend praying for our children is likely the most precious of the day -- and its value is IMMEASURABLE!!! I don't think we can come close to what God expects from us as parents in this area -- especially in our society. Disruptions (especially as mothers) come on levels that we don't even recognize as "disruptions."

Many months ago, I participated in a Baby Dedication with my husband and I presented a young mother in our church a list of 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Child. After the service, another mother asked if I would share these with her.

Unfortunately, I got disrupted (I'm a mom, remember?) and I forgot to pass them on. . .

I was reminded of my absentmindedness this past week when the lady who'd asked for the list became my newest Facebook Friend. She didn't remind me -- it just occurred in one of those wide-eye'd "oh-my-goodness" moments when I saw her picture on Facebook. So, I now pass them along to her and everyone else as well. (Sorry it took so long, Rebecca!)

Pictured throughout this post are our five children:
Sharon (24),
Tim (22),
Alisa (17),
Selah (5),
and Shepard (4) .
We pray for them daily!

31 Biblical Virtues
to Pray for Your Children

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► Salvation
“Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

Isaiah 45:8
II Timothy 2:10

► Growth in Grace
“I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

II Peter 3:18

► Love
“Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.”

Galatians 5:25
Ephesians 5:2

► Honesty & Integrity
“May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.”

Psalm 25:21

► Self Control
“Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.”

I Thessalonians 5:6

► Love for God's Word
“may my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb.”

Psalm 19:10

► Justice
“God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.”

Psalm 11:7
Micah 6:8

► Mercy
“May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful.”

Luke 6:36

► Respect (for Self, Others & Authority)
“Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands.”

I Peter 2:17

► Biblical Self-Esteem
“Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:10

► Faithfulness
“Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablets of their hearts.”

Proverbs 3:3

► Courage
“May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

► Purity
“Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions.”

Psalm 51:10

► Kindness
“Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

I Thessalonians 5:15

► Generosity
“Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”

I Timothy 6:18-19

► Peace-Loving
“Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace.”

Romans 14:19

► Joy
“May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

I Thessalonians 1:6

► Perseverance
“Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.”

Hebrews 12:1

► Humility
“God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all.”

Titus 3:2

► Compassion
“Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.”

Colossians 3:12

► Responsibility
“Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.”

Galatians 6:5

► Contentment
“Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13

► Faith
“I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.”

Luke 17:5-6
Hebrews 11:1-40

► A Servant's Heart
“God, please help my children develop servants’ hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men.”

Ephesians 6:7

► Hope
“May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

► Willingness & Ability to Work
“Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their hearts, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

Colossians 3:23

► Passion of God
“Lord, please instill in my children a soul that ‘followeth hard after Thee’ (Psalm 63:8), one that clings passionately to you.”


► Self-Discipline
“Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”

Proverbs 1:3

► Prayfulness
“Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayfulness, that they may learn to pray on all occasions – allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede – with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Ephesians 6:18

► Gratitude
“Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God, the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20
Colossians 2:7

► A Heart for Missions
“Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your Glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Psalm 96:3

~ Esthermay

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