7 Prayers For Your Adult Children

When my first official Mother’s Day rolled around, I started the tradition of writing down a prayer for my girls in my Bible, a curated collection of hopes and dreams for their future firmly grounded in His Word. Now, years later, one child is getting ready to step into her next season as a young adult. And, this mom plans on praying with the same intention.

Our adult children need our fervent prayers just as much now as they did as babies. If you struggle to find the words, speak these 7 scripture-based prayers over your adult children.

A prayer for a life worthy of the Lord.

Scripture: “…We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.” – Colossians 1:9-12

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the privilege of raising my child to adulthood. I know my parenting role continues to evolve, but one thing will remain constant–my prayers for my child. Father, I ask that You heap on wisdom daily so my child grows to know You better and can clearly distinguish Your will from worldly wants and desires. I pray that my child bears the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in such a way that people instantly recognize my child as Yours. And, finally, Lord, give my child the endurance and patience to weather every storm anchored in You. Amen.

A prayer for spiritual protection.

Scripture: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:10

Prayer: Father, it’s a battlefield out there. You and I both know it. Thankfully, Your Word tells us exactly how to suit up and face the spiritual attacks we might encounter. Long gone are the days I pick out my child’s clothes. However, I ask that You remind my child to wear the ones You selected. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, prompt my child to put on Your full armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. And Father, while under Your protection, help my child stand firm against whatever the devil tries to throw in my child’s direction. Amen.

A prayer for physical protection.

Scripture: “The Lord watches over you–the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 121:5-8

Prayer: Father, please keep my baby safe. Yes, I know my baby is no longer a baby. I admit that sometimes, I miss the days when I could watch over my child in my own home. I am leaning on You with my prayers to keep my child safe in adulthood. Although, honestly, I know You were the one protecting my child back then, too. Amen.

A prayer for trust in You.

Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer: Father, I know it should be easy, but trusting You over ourselves isn’t. We fight to go our own way and think we know best. But, Lord, You are the One and Only Yahweh. The Alpha and Omega. Of course, You are trustworthy, faithful, and good! However, my life is full of examples when I fought against the path You wanted me to take. I pray my child avoids the pitfalls I fell into. Instead, I ask that You help my child trust You wholeheartedly. I pray that the Holy Spirit guides my child to step confidently onto Your straight path and never lose sight of Your leadership. Amen.

A prayer for your relationship with your child.

Scripture: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’ so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:1-4

Prayer: Father, I will keep this prayer short. I want my relationship with my child to strengthen and grow in healthy ways. Help us use our words and make choices that honor You and each other. Amen.

A prayer for your prodigal.

Scripture: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

Prayer: Father, my child is a prodigal, and my heart hurts. I know that Jesus leaves the 99 to find the one. And that while my child seems to have lost sight of You, You never lose sight of your children. I cling to those truths with a tight grip. Father, I ask that You soften my child’s heart and open his ears to You right now, in this moment. I know that You will run to my child with compassion and wide-open arms, just as Luke 15 describes. Oh, Father, this mom yearns to experience that welcome home party. Lend me your patience while I wait for your perfect timing. Amen.

An extra scripture-based idea for praying for your adult children.

As moms, the most powerful prayers we can speak over our adult children can be found directly in scripture. If you ever wrestle with the words to pray, turn to scripture and weave in your child’s name. For example, take Ephesians 1:17-19 and replace “you” with your child’s name. I highlighted the words below to switch out with your child’s name.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.” – Ephesians 1:17-19