More Than Presents: Praying the Greatest Gift Over Your Kids

This Christmas, most parents are thinking about what to put under the tree. But what if the most powerful gift you could give your child won’t fit in a box?

Long after the toys break and the clothes don’t fit, the prayers you pray over your kids will still be shaping their lives.

I’ve created a 7-minute prayer prompt to pray over your kids. Before you begin, I encourage you to put on some peaceful instrumental worship music and set a timer for 7 minutes. Follow these prompts:

Minute 1 Prayer: Pray they would sense God’s nearness

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
— John 1:14

Pray:
“Jesus, help my child know You are with them at school, at home, and in every moment.”

Minute 2 Prayer: Pray for soft, teachable hearts

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
— Ezekiel 36:26

Pray:
“God, give my child a heart that listens, learns, and responds to You.”

Minute 3 Prayer: Pray they would know Jesus personally

“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

Pray:
“Lord, don’t let faith just be inherited; let it be personal.”

Minute 4 Prayer: Pray for peace over anxiety and fear

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
— Luke 2:14

Pray:
“Lord, help my child have peace with You, experience peace within, and have peace with their friends.”

Minute 5 Prayer: Pray they would understand the Good News

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
— Luke 4:18

Pray:
“Jesus, I pray my child would grasp the Good News You came to proclaim this Christmas.”

Minute 6 Prayer: Pray they would not be so busy with screens and distractions that they miss Jesus

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
— Revelation 3:20

Pray:
“God, I pray my kids would not be consumed with screens and miss Your work in their lives.”

Minute 7 Prayer: Pray that you would set the example of praising God for Jesus

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
— Luke 2:20

Pray:
“Lord, I want to lead my family spiritually. May my walk be genuine so that my family sees You through me.”

Parents: your prayers matter more than you know.

Christ has come!