Praying Blessings for Children
Patty Royall

Years ago, one of my very best girlfriends, who is my all-time best prayer partner, gave me an article about using bible verses as blessings for children. The article recommended selecting a verse to be used every night at prayer time. The blessing was to be prayed over a sleeping child or with a child. Examples of New King James translation verses were suggested for use. Additionally, the author said that with consistent use, the selected verse, tailored for each child, would become his own.

Well, as designed, I’m not a person who naturally operates on a consistent basis, but I tried. I started using bible verses to pray for my children, and then my grandchildren. I referenced the NIV, the ESV, the NASB versions and the Message Bible for just the right version for the child. And I wrote prayers for my children.  I changed them often and used the blessings as prayers throughout days, weeks and years, but not usually in the presence of the children.  I confess that we have never been good at praying together routinely as a family.

But all is not lost because God taught me how to pray blessing for children as I taught the Four Day 4’s class at TPK. I ventured into my bibles found verse to use and got better and better at this prayer ministry over the 11 years of my teaching time.

By my last school year (2016-17) at TPK I had a growing list of blessings that I used. I would select a verse for a child and write in the name and use the correct personal pronouns and pray at least once a week for each child in my class during my personal morning devotions at home – where I am rested, undistracted, consistent. Note: I decided not to beat myself up with guilt but to just enjoy praying for my children whenever I could, and God loved my efforts and answered my prayers and my children were blessed. I share each personalized verse on my conference report that were used with parents in the fall and spring of each school year.

This is a sweet gift for a new born, a growing child or a grown child/person. Think about the child of God and ask God to give you a verse, or start with your favorite bible verse and write it as a personal prayer. Start with one for yourself.

For example – I am a child of God who often needs the gift of patience, so here’s one for me. One of my favorite verses is

Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version) “But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint.”

Jesus, help me wait for you, Lord. Renew my strength so I feel like I’m soaring on eagle’s wings. Help me run and not grow weary; walk and not grow faint. (from Isaiah 40:31)

Example verse:

May the God of love and peace be with you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor. 13:11b, 14.

The blessing:

“Johnny”, may the God of love and peace be with you. I pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you, always. (from 2 Cor. 13:11b, 14)

Other blessings:

Lord Jesus, I pray that everything that “Sean” asks in your name he will receive and his joy will be complete. John 16:24

Lord, I pray that you will equip “Aaron” with everything good for doing your will, and you will work in him what is pleasing to you, Jesus, for your glory. Hebrews 13:21

Holy Spirit, I pray that you will instruct “Clara” and teach her in the way she should go; you will counsel her and watch over her. In the name of Jesus. Psalm 32:8

Father God, I pray that you continue to watch over “Elisha”. You are her shade at her right hand. The sun will not harm her by day, nor the moon by night.  Lord, protect her from evil and watch over her life.  “Elisha”, the Lord will watch over your coming and going from this time forth and forevermore.  Ps. 121:5-8.

I know God loves to hear from us, so just talk to him about the child you love.