Biblical Virtues to Pray Over Your Children

Short answer: Biblical virtues to pray over your children are character qualities straight out of Scripture, like salvation, love, courage, purity and joy, that you lift up to God for your kids one at a time. Pick one a day, read the verse out loud, and pray it over them by name.

This card was handed to me by Pastor Karen Westerfield at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds, Washington. She’s the Children’s Pastor there, and she also directs the kids choir, part of a very successful and large youth ministry. The choir has over 50 kids and puts on two huge concerts and musical plays a year. Our son was in that choir for several years and absolutely loved it.

The card is called Biblical Virtues to Pray Over Your Children. It’s a list of character qualities straight from the Bible, each one with a verse to pray. I really enjoy how approachable and handy this card was. It helps people who fear they don’t know how to pray, and it gives them the weapon of prayer and the ammunition to become a prayer warrior for their children and family. I wanted to turn it into something you could pray with too.

As a homeschooling mom, I’m with our son most of the day. I can teach him his lessons. I can’t put faith into his heart. Only God can do that.

So at bedtime, when he’s still awake or sometimes after he’s already fallen asleep, I lay my hand on him and pray:

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for giving us our son. Thank You for his health. Please protect him while he sleeps and when he’s awake. Descend a pillar of Your holy, protective light around him like a force field, always protecting him. Guide him to make good choices and better decisions. Give him Your wisdom. And please give me the patience and guidance to help him grow into a great God fearing man. Please guide him and help him grow a strong relationship with You. May he grow up to be a great Christian man and fulfill the work You have for him. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

This is for every parent and guardian. Moms and dads, grandparents, foster parents, aunties and uncles, the neighbor who loves the kids next door like her own. If there’s a child you carry in your heart, it’s for you.

I looked up every verse in the Berean Standard Bible and quoted it in full, so you’re praying God’s actual words. Then I wrote my own prayer for each one.

This list was inspired by the prayer card Pastor Karen gave me at Westgate Chapel. Most of the virtues on it trace back to Bob Hostetler’s “31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Kids” (NavPress). The prayers below are my own.

If You’re New to Praying

The power of prayer is real. Start by declaring Jesus over every heart and mind under your roof. Pray for protection and health, and that all the enemy’s plans will crumble and only good intentions towards each of you will survive. And most of all, thank God for being the goodness in your lives.

If you aren’t used to praying, or you’re shy, pray over your sleeping children or make it part of the bedtime and tucking them in routine. You are setting an example and showing them how much you and God love them. And the more you do it, the deeper that will sink in for your children. It does not matter what age they are. Start now. And do it daily. You’ll start to see God show up in their lives in the most beautiful way.

How to use this list

Pray one virtue a day. There are 35 here, so it’s a little more than a month. When you reach the end, start again. Miss a day? Just pick back up. God isn’t keeping score.

Maybe nights work better for you. Pray two or three at bedtime with your hand on their back while they fall asleep. Or write one on a sticky note and put it on the bathroom mirror, the dashboard, the fridge.

Wherever it says “my children,” put in their names.

You don’t need perfect words. You just need to show up.

Knowing Jesus

Everything else on this list grows out of this first part. We can raise kind, hardworking, polite kids who never know Jesus. I don’t want that for mine. I want them to know Him.

1. Salvation

Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Isaiah 45:8, BSB

For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:10, BSB

Lord, I’m asking for the thing that matters most. Let my children come to know Jesus as their own Savior, not just Mom’s or Dad’s. Rain down on their hearts until faith breaks through like green shoots in spring.

2. Grow in Grace

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18, BSB

When you plant a seed, you water it and then you wait. You can’t dig it up every morning to check on the roots. Jesus told a story in Mark 4 about a man who scatters seed and goes to sleep, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he doesn’t know how. That’s a parent. We plant, we water, we pray, and God does the growing.

Father, keep growing my children. Let them know Jesus better this year than last, and do the deep work in them that I can’t see, the kind that happens while they sleep.

3. Faith

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Luke 17:5, 6, BSB

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1, BSB

Read all of Hebrews 11 sometime. It’s a whole chapter of ordinary people who trusted God.

Jesus, increase their faith. Even if it starts out the size of a mustard seed, let them trust You with the things they can’t see yet.

4. Passion for God

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8, BSB

Lord, let my children’s souls hold on to You. Let them love You for real, not because someone told them to, and hold them up with Your right hand when they’re tired.

5. Love for God’s Word

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Psalm 19:9, 10, BSB

Father, make Your Word sweet to my children. Let them hunger for it, come back to it on their own, and find it worth more than anything they could buy.

6. Identity in Christ

The card calls this one Biblical Self Esteem. Here at Learn True Self we’d say knowing who you really are in Christ.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

Ephesians 2:10, BSB

God, let my children know they are Your workmanship. When the world tries to tell them who they are, let Your voice be louder. Show them the good works You prepared for them, and let them walk right into them.

Character

Who they are when nobody’s watching. Not perfect. Just being shaped, day by day, to look more like Jesus.

7. Honesty and Integrity

May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You.

Psalm 25:21, BSB

Lord, make my children people who tell the truth even when it costs them. Let them wait on You instead of taking shortcuts, and let doing right be what guards them.

8. Self Control

So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:6, BSB

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7, BSB

The apostle Paul wrote both of these. The first is from his letter to the church in Thessalonica. The second is from a letter to Timothy, a young pastor Paul loved like a son.

A quick word about the words, because it helps. In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, “sober” comes from the Greek word nēphō (νήφω). Literally it means not drunk, not under the influence of wine. Paul uses it in a bigger way: clear headed, alert, self controlled, with your wits about you. That’s why some Bibles say “sober” here and others say “self controlled.”

2 Timothy 1:7 uses a different Greek word, sōphronismos (σωφρονισμός). It means self control, or a sound mind. That’s why the King James and New King James say “a sound mind,” and other translations say “self discipline” or “self control.” Two different words, pointing the same way.

Picture a lifeguard at a crowded pool. She isn’t dozing in her chair, and she isn’t panicking either. She’s awake, calm and watching, ready to move the second it matters. That’s what I want for my kids.

Father, keep my children awake to what’s going on around them. You didn’t give them a spirit of fear. Fill them with Your power, Your love and a sound mind. Give them clear heads and the strength to say no when no is the right answer.

9. Purity

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10, BSB

God, keep my children’s hearts clean. When they mess up, and they will, bring them back to You quickly and make them new.

10. Faithfulness

Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:3, BSB

Lord, let my children be loyal and true, the kind of people others can count on. Make faithfulness part of who they are, as close as a necklace they never take off.

11. Courage

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6, BSB

Father, when my children are scared, remind them who’s walking beside them. Let them do the brave thing, knowing You will never leave them.

12. Self Discipline

and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

Proverbs 1:3, BSB

Lord, make my children teachable. Let them welcome correction, even when it stings, and grow into wise, steady people.

13. Responsibility

For each one should carry his own load.

Galatians 6:5, BSB

God, teach my children to own their choices and carry their own load without blaming anyone else. And give them strong shoulders to help carry someone else’s when that’s needed too.

14. Willingness and Ability to Work

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

Colossians 3:23, BSB

Father, let my children put their whole selves into their work, whether it’s chores, schoolwork or a job someday. Let them know You see the dishes done well just as much as the big moments.

15. Perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Hebrews 12:1, BSB

Picture a kid at the back of a cross country race, lungs burning, wanting to quit. Then they hear someone they love cheering from the side. They keep going.

Jesus, when my children want to quit, keep them going. Help them drop whatever trips them up, keep their eyes on You, and let them hear the cheering when they’re tired.

A Heart Toward Others

How our kids treat people says a lot about what’s growing inside them.

16. Love

Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25, BSB

and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

Ephesians 5:2, BSB

Holy Spirit, help my children keep in step with You. Teach them to love like Jesus did, the kind of love that gives itself away.

17. Justice

For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

Psalm 11:7, BSB

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8, BSB

Lord, give my children a heart that hurts when something isn’t fair. Make them the ones who stand up for the kid being picked on, with mercy and humility while they do it.

18. Mercy

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36, BSB

Father, You have been so merciful to us. Let my children be merciful too, quick to forgive, slow to hold a grudge, gentle with people who don’t deserve it.

19. Respect

Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

1 Peter 2:17, BSB

God, teach my children to treat everyone with high regard. The cashier, the grandparent, the pastor, the kid nobody sits with. And themselves.

20. Kindness

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:15, BSB

Lord, when someone is unkind to my children, keep them from paying it back. Let them keep pursuing good for the people around them, even the ones who are hard to love.

21. Generosity

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:18, 19, BSB

Father, give my children open hands. Let them be ready to share what they have, and let them find out early that giving is where real life is.

22. Peace Loving

So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19, BSB

Jesus, make my children peacemakers. Let them be the ones who calm a fight instead of starting one, and who build people up, starting at home.

23. Humility

to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Titus 3:2, BSB

God, keep my children gentle and peaceable. Let them think of other people first, speak well of others, and never need to be the most important person in the room.

24. Compassion

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12, BSB

Lord, give my children tender hearts. Let them notice the hurting people around them and move toward them, not away.

25. A Servant’s Heart

Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,

Ephesians 6:7, BSB

Jesus, You came to serve. Give my children Your heart for serving, with good will, doing it for You and not for applause.

The Inner Life

This is the part nobody else sees. What’s going on inside them when the house is quiet.

26. Joy

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

1 Thessalonians 1:6, BSB

Holy Spirit, put a joy in my children that doesn’t depend on how the day went. Even in the hard seasons, let it hold.

27. Contentment

I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12, 13, BSB

Father, when my kids want the next thing and the next thing, settle their hearts. Whether they have plenty or go without, let them find out that Christ is enough, and that He’s the One who makes them strong.

28. Hope

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13, BSB

God of hope, when things look dark, let hope rise up in my children. Give them a peace that comes from trusting You, and let it spill onto everyone around them.

29. Gratitude

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20, BSB

rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:7, BSB

Lord, grow deep roots in my children and let thankfulness pour out of them. Let “thank You, God” be the first thing out of their mouths, before the complaining starts.

30. Prayerfulness

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18, BSB

Father, teach my children to talk to You all the time. In the car, on the hard test, at bedtime. Let them pray for other people too, and keep at it.

The Spirit Filled Life

31. Be Filled with the Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8, BSB

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4, BSB

Jesus, You promised Your followers power when the Holy Spirit came on them. Fill my children with the Holy Spirit. Let Him give them courage and boldness to be Your witnesses wherever they go.

32. Anointing

You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

1 John 2:20, BSB

And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

1 John 2:27, BSB

Holy Spirit, You are the One who teaches us what’s true. Teach my children Your truth, and help them remain in Jesus their whole lives.

33. A Heart for Missions

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3, BSB

Lord, give my children a heart for people who’ve never heard about You, across the street and across the world. Let them tell everyone what You’ve done.

Covering and Blessing

34. Protection

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

Psalm 5:11, BSB

Father, shelter my children. When they go out the door, You go with them. Let them run to You for refuge and come out the other side singing.

35. Favor

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

Psalm 5:12, BSB

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands!

Psalm 90:17, BSB

Lord, let Your kindness rest on my children wherever they go. Bless what they build with their hands, whatever You’ve called them to do.

Your Story Matters Too

There’s no finish line on praying for our kids. You’ll pray these, start over, and pray them again. Some days you’ll see an answer. Most days you won’t, and you’ll keep praying anyway.

I’d love to hear from you. Did you have a parent or a grandma who prayed over you, and you didn’t know it until later? Has your child had their own come to Jesus moment? That’s exactly what we talk about on Learn True Self: That Come To Jesus Moment! Real people sharing the moment Jesus changed everything. If God has written a story like that in your life, I’d love for you to share your story.

Episodes are coming soon, and I can’t wait for you to hear them. Subscribe on YouTube and join our complimentary newsletter, which comes with a 14 day Bible study through the Book of John, so you’ll know the moment the first episode is out.

Tonight, when the house goes quiet, walk down the hall. Put your hand on that little head, or that big teenage shoulder. Pick one.

And pray.