|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14
…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
This back-to-school season, pray these seven prayers over the children entrusted to us — from kids and grandkids to those we may never meet but whom God has laid on our hearts.
At World Relief, we join our prayers with yours even as we walk alongside families who’ve been forced to flee their homes.
Prayer for:
Children | New School Year | Protection | Provision | Traumatized Children | Displaced Children | Faith
Prayer for Children
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:12
Lord, thank you for your love. You cherish us so much that you gave your one and only son to suffer and die for us. The ultimate gift — the ultimate sacrifice.
I feel your love, which has no height or depth, and I rest in it.
Lord, I lift up the precious lives you have entrusted to us and ask for your blessings on them. Bless their lives and impress on our hearts the children for whom you want us to pray, both near and far.
Amen.
Prayer for a new school year
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.” — Psalm 90:17
Lord of all knowledge, wisdom and learning,
As our children take their first steps into a new school year, I pray for your favor upon these new beginnings.
As they walk into their classrooms, fill them with the mind of Christ.
As they learn and play with their classmates, give them the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
As they encounter the trials of their work and the difficulties of life together, bring them the patient endurance that comes only from you.
Above all, O God, give our children the eyes to look outward, to recognize these days of learning as the building blocks of a life lived for the sake of others.
Give them the eyes to see those who are hurting, those who feel lost, who feel displaced, who feel alone. May these days of learning you have entrusted to them — and to us — be used as instruments in your hands.
I ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Prayer for protection
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” — Psalm 139:5
Father, you created the universe. As David said, the heavens declare your glory; the skies proclaim the work of your hands.
My mind cannot fathom the mysteries of your creation; my words fall short of expressing my wonder. You are from everlasting to everlasting.
Yet, you see me. You love me. And you entrusted these precious children to me.
Help them know you, see you and draw comfort from this Psalm that paints a picture of your love and protection.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Draw my children to you that they may know you as their salvation, shield and fortress. Hide them under your wings, and keep them safe from all harm and danger.
When they face difficult situations, help them run to you for protection, comfort and strength.
I place my children at your feet, knowing that that is the safest place for them.
Amen.
Prayer for provision
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” asked Andrew. A boy with five small loves of bread and two small fish. A small bundle of food his mother probably packed for him as he joined the crowd following you. I imagine him looking at his bundle and holding it up to Andrew, willing to share.
You took the loaves, gave thanks, and fed more than five thousand people. Your miracle did not depend on the loaves or the fish or even the little boy. But you blessed him by using the little he had.
Father, I pray for such a heart for my children. I pray that they will not hold close what they have but open up their hands and submit to you their all. Regardless of the circumstance.
I pray they will see the needs of those around them and be willing to share. And even when they can’t see who will benefit or how you will use their offerings, help them still be willing to give up what they have.
For this I know — you are our shepherd; we shall not want.
You have always provided for us, and I know you always will.
Thank you for being such a good Father.
Amen.
Prayer for children traumatized by war and violence
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
Lord, I bring to you the innocent children you’ve entrusted to us; not only the children I know but also those I see on news reports or about whom I hear -– children I may never see but for whom I bear a burden. So today, I pray that you gather under your wings children who are suffering.
Father, you know these little lives by name. Their very hairs are numbered. They are precious, they are loved, and yet, they suffer in this fallen world. Violence leaves its imprint on children — violence at home or in their communities, violence through war, conflict and more.
These innocent children suffer most deeply — their hearts broken by the suffering of their loved ones, by feelings of helplessness. As some of the most vulnerable among us, they bear hunger and pain, unable to protect themselves.
O Lord, I cry out for children near and far. Protect them and their loved ones, provide for them. I come to you as a child myself, not knowing how my prayers will be answered but knowing that you are able to do abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine. I trust your love — you will make a way.
Thank you for your love that never changes. Thank you for your provision that meets us at the point of our need. I rest in you.
Amen.
Prayer for displaced, refugee and immigrant children
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. —- Deuteronomy 10:18
Lord, your Word tells us that the very hairs of our head are all numbered. You know each of us by name. Your love knows no measure — it cannot be fathomed.
You know each child who has been forced to flee their home for reasons beyond their control. They fled war, violence, calamity, holding their parent’s hand —- one none at all.
Carried.
Carrying.
Trudging.
They have lost so much — their home, security, even loved ones. Lord, protect displaced and refugee children as they seek safety. May your presence surround them and their families.
Make their paths straight and help us welcome them with open arms when they enter this country.
Help us provide rest to those young feet that have walked miles to escape harm.
Help us provide nourishment to those who didn’t know where their next meal would come from.
Help us provide support so that they can go to school, learn, grow and thrive.
Help us provide acceptance and community to families and children as they rebuild their lives, even if we don’t speak their language.
Love speaks beyond barriers. Love needs no words. Help us to put our faith into action, provide hope, and most of all, reflect your love.
Amen.
A prayer for faith
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” — Hebrews 11:1
Lord Jesus, I thank you that we walk by faith, not by sight. When we come up against mountains, we remember you taught us not to focus on the obstacle — no matter how huge — but on the opposite: on faith the size of a mustard seed.
Today, I think of all the people for whom I’ve prayed, near and far. For children and families impressed upon my heart. For situations beyond our control. O Lord, I gather up my faith and look to you.
In faith, the woman touched the hem of your garment and was healed.
In faith, the centurion believed that just a word from you would heal his servant, and it was so.
Strengthen my faith, O Lord. Faith that doesn’t discount the size of the mountain but instead trusts in the one who made it. Give me the boldness to speak blessings into the lives of children and believe that it shall be so.
It shall be so.
We walk by faith, not by sight.
Amen.
This back-to-school season, immigrant children and their families are navigating new and unfamiliar experiences. As you pray for them, deepen your understanding of what Scripture says about welcoming the foreigner through our 30-day reading guide.
Shreya Shukla Thornton is the Senior Content Manager at World Relief. With over 15 years of experience in communication and a Ph.D. in the field, she enjoys forging a connection through storytelling.
Samuel Heard serves as a content specialist at World Relief. His writing has appeared in a variety of outlets, including Baptist Press, Mere Orthodoxy, the Center for Faith and Culture and elsewhere. He lives in Upstate South Carolina with his wife and three children.