Prayer can be tough. I have not yet met a person who would tell me that they are totally nailing prayer, have it all figured out, and are on top of their prayer game. So I set out to make this year a personal journey into prayer and it has been challenging.
Several years ago I put together a prayer list of verses that I pray for my family, and I have tweaked it, added to it, and revised it over the years. I would like to share it with the idea that it may be helpful to someone else. I have so far to grow in my prayer life, but it has been beneficial to pray through this list with Linda in the mornings.
The below list is not exhaustive and we include specific people we are praying for as well as prayers for each other and the church. This list reflects some of the specific struggles of our family and not everyone will pray for the same things, but I think it is a very good thing to pray Scripture over our families. And these are the verses we pray for our family when we pray together in the mornings.
I hope this is helpful.
Respect for Authority
Romans 13:1-3 (ESV)1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV)22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV)25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
Philippians 1:9 (ESV)9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
Learn the Value of Others
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Godly Friends
Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV)16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Moral Purity
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV)3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
Kept from substance abuse
Ephesians 5:15-18 (ESV)15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
Grow to Maturity in Christ
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Get Along with each other
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Godly Spouses – both that they would find and be Godly Spouses
Proverbs 31:10-12 (ESV)10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Grateful/Uncomplaining Spirit
Philippians 2:14 (ESV)14Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
Wisdom in Speech
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Believe and Live The Gospel
Acts 26:18 (ESV)18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Trust in God
Find Peace
Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Protection from Evil Forces
Ephesians 6:13-17
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Don:
Self-Sacrifice for my family
Gentle Leadership
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Learn and APPLY God’s Word in my life
James 1:22 (ESV)22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Integrity in Ministry
2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Set a Calming Tone
Better Listener
James 1:19-20 (ESV)19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Protection from Immorality
Proverbs 7:21-27 (ESV)21With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. 22All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast 23till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. 24And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 25Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, 26for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. 27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
Be reminded of God throughout the day (perpetual prayer)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)17pray without ceasing,
If you found this list helpful, or would like to share or add any verses that you pray over your family, leave them in the comments here or on the Facebook post for this blog.
These ideas/verses are great. I can see myself praying for my family from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep. Talking to God about my children and then being able to tell my children about my God. As you said, no one has it perfect.