Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe

Excerpt taken from Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe: a 30-Day Guide to Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayers by Sharon Jaynes

Day 12

The Mind: What My Child Thinks About
He [Jesus] opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)

Heavenly Father, Just as You opened the minds of the men in the New Testament to understand the Scriptures, I pray You will open my child’s mind as well. I pray they will not be confused by the Scripture but enlightened by Your Word. Pull up the shades, open the shutters, turn on the lights! I pray You will help it all make sense

The Eyes: What My Child Looks At
A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth (Proverbs 17:24)

Lord, I pray my child will be a wise person whose eyes do not wander toward anything or anyone impure or immoral. I pray their eyes will not wander to the ends of the earth, looking for a better way, a better truth, or a better life but that they will stay focused on Jesus—the only way, the only truth, and the only source of life.

The Ears: Who and What My Child Listens To
Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ear, because they hear. (Matthew 13:16 NLT)

I pray my child will be blessed because they see You and hear You in everyday life.

The Mouth: Words My Child Speaks
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. (Proverbs 15:28 NLT)

I pray my child will think carefully before speaking and not say the first words that pop in their head.

The Neck: Decisions That Turn My Child’s Head
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

Father, I pray my child will learn that forgiveness begins with a decision, not an emotion. I pray they will be quick to forgive, just as Christ God had forgiven us. Help my child to never be bound by bitterness, wrapped in resentment, or hindered by hate,

The Shoulders: Burdens and Worries
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

When my child feels weighted down with worry about friends, finances, family, acceptance, significance, or performance, I pray they will remember this truth: they are a child of God who has been given everything needed to succeed. I pray my child will not be anxious about anything but will pray about everything. May Your peace, which transcends all human understanding, guard their heart and mind so that they will not pick up those burdens and start worrying again.

The Heart: Who and What My Child Loves
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I pray my child will seek You with their whole heart. Thank You for promising to be found when they do.

The Back: Physical and Spiritual Protection
He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you. (Psalm 91:4 GNT)

Thank You, God, for Your protective presence. Cover my child as a mother hen protects her chicks, and shelter them with Your outstretched wings.

The Arms: Health and Strength
David Founf strength in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6b NLT)

When my child is discouraged or disheartened and feels all alone, help them find strength in You. I pray my child will not depend on peers, people, possessions, or popularity to be lifted up and pulled out of a pit but will be strengthened by the truth of who they are in Christ: a chosen, holy, dearly loved child of God who is equipped by the father, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and enveloped in Jesus Christ.

The Hands: Gifts and Talents
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings. (Proverbs 22:29a)

I pray You will bless my child’s mental and physical abilities in the present to prepare them to be a competent and successful adult in the future.

The Ring Finger: Future Spouse
I found the one I love. (Song of Solomon 3:4b NKJV)

I pray my child’s future spouse will be the one You have chosen. Keep both of them away from the wrong person, I pray the decision to marry will be very clear to both of them.

The Side: Influential Relationships
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

I pray my child will be patient and kind with their family, friends, and those with whom they walk side by side. Show my child how to demonstrate a love that is not envious, boastful, proud, dishonoring, self-seeking, or easily angered. I pray they will not keep a record of wrongs but forgive quickly and completely. May they not delight when circumstances go wrong for others but celebrate when situations go right. Give them a love for family, friends, classmates, workmates, teammates, and eventually a forever-mate—a love they always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Sexuality: Sexual Purity and Identity
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)

There are so many enticements that can lead young people off the path of purity. I pray my child will not be pulled off the oath by violent video games, crude humor, foul language, blatant disrespect for authority, sexual experimentation, and mischievous misconduct to try to fit in. I pray they will stay on the right road even when friends take a detour.

The Legs: Stand for Godly Principles
Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. (1 Corinthians 15:57—58a)

God, thank You for giving us the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ. I pray my child will stand firm on this truth and let no one—not peers, friends, teachers, or social media—undermine their courage, confidence, conviction, or commitment to Christ.

The Knees: Relationship with God
The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34 NLT)

I pray my child will not be proud or arrogant but humble and grateful. Remove any sense of pride that would keep them from bending the knee, and remind them of the many ways You have heaped on undeserved grace.

The Feet: The Path That My Child Takes
Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. (Psalm 66:8–9)

Finally, I pray You will keep my child’s feet from slipping and make each step secure. Put a song on their lips and praise in their heart. I pray all this in Jesus’ name, amen.

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Excerpted from Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe © 2023 Sharon Jaynes. Used by permission of David C Cook. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

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