Family members and close friends are usually the people we pray for the most! Whether we are praying for our own children, our parents, other family members, or the whole family, we want to lift up their prayer needs to our mighty God.
Praying God’s Word over these people so precious to us can be a powerful way to effectively pray for them. These 31 scriptures to pray for your family are here to aid you in praying biblically for your family, and those who are like family to you.
Don’t miss the free printable at the end of this article so that you can have a handy guide to 31 scriptures to pray for your family! It’s also a great resource for family prayer time.
Why Should I Pray Scripture for My Family?
You may be wondering, “I already know what I want to pray for my family. Why do I need to pray using Bible verses?”
Praying what you want for your family and what your family needs is great! Sometimes we are in such distress for our family that all we can manage is a simple prayer, “Please help them, Lord!”
And we should definitely react to hard times and challenges with prayer – continue these prayers!
But praying with guidance from Scripture is another important aspect of prayer. In our prayer life, it’s easy to get distracted by our own agendas for others during prayer.
By aligning our prayers with God’s Word, we increase the likelihood of praying in accordance with God’s will, praying from a firm foundation of the Word of God.
Prayer isn’t a magical way to get what we want; it’s a request to our mighty God to answer our daily prayers and trust Him with our problems. Not only does He answer prayer according to His perfect will, but He often uses prayer to change our heart and strengthen us.
Jesus used Scripture to defend himself against Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness, especially as Satan used Scripture out of context to convince Jesus to sin. (Matthew 4:1-11.)
We also see that the Bible is inspired by God and a powerful tool for our Christian walk.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
As we pray the Word of God, it can teach, reproof, correct, and train our hearts for righteousness; but it can also do the same for those we pray for as God answers our prayers according to His perfect will for our family members.
Incorporating a Bible verse or scripture passage into our prayer times not only helps us to pray in line with God’s priorities.
It also equips us when we are faced with challenges ourselves, and instruct and changes our heart! God uses prayer for our own spiritual growth as well as the growth of others.
31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family
It’s easy enough to say that we should be praying scripture over our family, but how do you pray a Scripture over a family member, friend, or yourself?
There are a couple of different methods that are commonly used. One method is to adapt the verse so that you can put a person’s name in it. Let’s show how Psalm 28:4 would look if someone were praying for their son, Tyler.
Psalm 28:7 ESV
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
It would look something like this. “May the Lord be the strength and shield of Tyler. May Tyler’s heart trust in Him, and be helped. May Tyler exult the Lord with his heart, and give thanks to Him.”
This is a great way to pray Scripture, but for this article, we’ll be focusing on finding a prayer request for the person from the verse.
For the same verse, Psalm 28:7, you might get this prayer request: “Pray for your children, that the Lord would be their strength and shield. Pray for their trust in God, and that they would praise the Lord.”
Sometimes prayer requests from Bible verses expand on what is in the scripture but is related in purpose and intent.
Praying Scripture for Your Child or A Child You Know
What a privilege it is to pray for the children in our life! Whether it is one of your children, a grandchild, niece or nephew, or another child that you know, it is a blessing to them to keep them in prayer.
Praying for kids isn’t limited only to when they are young – you can pray for your adult children as well! Their practical needs might change, but praying for their Christian walk is always a worthy endeavor.
Proverbs 3:5-6 WEBBE
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Pray for your children to trust the Lord with all their heart, that they would not trust in the things of this world or what they understand. Pray for them to acknowledge the Lord in all that they do.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Ask God that He would help your children live by the Spirit, that they would abound in love, joy, peace, patience, and goodness. Pray for them to grow in their faith, to be gentle to others, and that they would exercise self-control, all to the glory of God.
Psalm 121:7-8 WEBBE
“The LORD will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.”
Pray for the Lord to keep your children from all evil, that He would protect their souls and help them to guard their hearts from hollow and deceptive philosophies.
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.”
Ask God to help your children to be obedient. Pray that you as a parent will be wise in your expectations and guidelines for them.
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Pray that you will faithfully parent your children as they grow. As they get older, pray that they will return to God’s truth if they have departed from it.
3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.”
Ask God to keep drawing your children who know Him close to Him, and pray that He would mercifully remind those not walking in truth of His truth and His salvation.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Pray that your children would seek God and His Kingdom above all else. Ask God to help them see His provision for them.
James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
Ask God to give your children wisdom, that they would look to Him for wisdom. Pray that they would not rely on earthly wisdom.
Proverbs 14:26 WEBBE
“In the fear of the Lord is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.”
Pray that your children will look to God as their fortress, that they would find their security and refuge in Him.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.”
Ask our faithful God to establish your children, and guard them from Satan.
Psalm 34:7 WEBBE
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
Pray for protection and deliverance for your children.
Ephesians 3:16-17
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love.”
Ask God to strengthen your children by the Holy Spirit, with Christ in their hearts, that they would be rooted and grounded in love.
Looking for a printable version of these powerful scriptures to pray over your children? Don’t miss the free printable prayer guide for 31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family at the end of this post!
Praying Scripture for Parents
Whether you are praying for yourself as a parent, or praying for moms and dads in your extended family or otherwise, these powerful verses can help you pray with God’s priorities in mind.
It seems like parenting is harder than ever with so many new things to understand about the youth of today. Going to the Lord with our prayer needs about parenting is one of the best things we can do as a Christian mom or dad!
These are written to be prayed for parents you know, but of course, you can also pray them for yourself.
Ephesians 6:4
“You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Pray for parents to disciple their children in the Lord. Pray that they would not make it difficult for their children to obey or lead them into sin.
Joshua 24:15 WEBBE
“If it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Ask God to help parents follow the Lord, and not what the world has to offer them.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
Pray for parents to be diligent at teaching their children God’s truth. Pray for faithfulness to God’s Word, and that they would make the most of every opportunity to nurture their children with scripture.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
Ask God to help parents to love their children, and reflect God’s love to them.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”
Pray for parents to lift up their worries and concerns about their kids to the Lord, instead of fretting about them.
James 1:19-20
“So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.”
Ask God to help parents be good listeners, and thoughtful speakers. Pray that they will not say things in anger.
Praying Scripture for Other Family Members and Friends
There are many other family members to pray for, as well as friends who seem like family! We can pray scripture for them as well, especially through difficult times.
Whether you are praying for your grandma, niece, cousin, other extended family members, or a dear friend, you can bless them by praying over these important aspects of their Christian walk.
Philippians 4:6-7
“In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
Pray for your friend or family member, that they would give their worries and anxious thoughts over to God with prayer and thankfulness, accepting the peace of God in return.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.”
Ask God to help your friend or family member be thankful and faithful in prayer.
1 Peter 3:8-9
“Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tender-hearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
Pray for peace and unity among your friends and family members.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.”
Ask God to keep your friends and family members faithful in doing good and serving Him.
John 15:12
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.”
Pray for friends and family members to be loving, as Christ loves us, that we would live a life of love.
Want reminders on praying for your friends and family? Don’t miss the free printable later in this article with 31 scriptures to pray for your family!
Praying Scripture for Family Relationships
The verses we’ve looked at so far cover many of the different people in our daily lives, but it’s also good to pray for family life as a whole.
Use these Bible verses and powerful prayer requests to pray for different aspects of these family relationships, like family unity and treating others with love and kindness.
Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.”
Pray that you will be patient and forgiving with others in your family.
1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Ask God to help you be loving in these family relationships, even when you don’t feel like it.
Romans 12:10
“In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another.”
Pray to be kind to one another with a servant’s heart, not putting yourself above others.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Ask our Lord God to help you be loving. Pray that you will be humble, forgiving, encouraging, patient, and compassionate.
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Pray that you will treat others as Christ treats you, with love, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion.
Psalm 133:1
“See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!”
Ask God to bless your family with Christian unity, that you will grow together in Christ.
Praying Scripture for Your Own Christian Walk
While you pray for your family, it is also good to pray for your own Christian walk. Growing in the Lord can’t help but be a blessing to your family and friends!
Pray through these scriptures and see how God answers your prayers!
Romans 15:13
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Pray for God to give you joy, peace, and hope as You believe in Him.
Psalm 23:1-3 WEBBE
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Ask God to remind you of His provision of your needs, rest and restoration, and guidance.
Psalm 91:1-2 WEBBE
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Pray to take refuge in God instead of what the world has to offer.
Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Ask God to remind you to look to Him for strength.
Philippians 1:9-10
“This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ.”
Pray for love, knowledge, and discernment as you live for the Lord.
Romans 12:12
“Rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer.”
Ask God that He would help you be thankful and patient, and faithful in prayer.
Free Printable 31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family
This free download is available to help you pray for your family and friends who are like family! You can pray through the 5 individual scripture prayer sheets, or you can go through the Scripture reading plan and read a Bible verse to pray through each day of the month.
Download the free printable 31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family here.
Looking for more prayer sheets? Browse through our collection below.
Printable Prayer Sheets
– Prayer Points for Friendship
– Prayer Points for a Powerful Prayer Life
– 31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family
– Finding Strength in God Prayer Points
– Prayer Points for Peace and Comfort
– New Year’s Prayer Points
– “Valentine’s Day/Living a Life of Prayer” Prayer Points
– Easter Prayer Points
– Prayer Points for Mothers (or Mother’s Day)
– Scriptures to Pray for Fathers
– Prayer Points for Your Pastor’s Wife
– 12 Printable Prayer Sheets
– 60 Printable Prayer Sheets, Volume 1
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Looking for more resources on how to pray scripture for your family? You may also want to check out Jodie Berndt’s Praying the Scriptures for… series, or Mom’s Little Book of Powerful Prayers by Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms in Prayer.
Bob Hostetler has a free printable 30-Day Praying for Your Children Challenge, great for a daily devotion over the course of a month.
This 50-pack of prayer cards of Praying for Your Family can be a great way to encourage family members, friends, a small group, or a church to pray for their entire family.
Also take a look at The Creator’s Classroom’s Praying Scripture for Your Children Printable.
Praying for your family, your friends, and your own Christian walk is a wonderful privilege! We get to take our needs and concerns to the Lord, the One who we can trust with whatever faces us.
As we see God’s answers to our prayer requests and His faithfulness in provision, we can be thankful for the power of prayer and our almighty Lord!
If you liked 31 Scriptures to Pray for Your Family, you may also like Praying for Adult Children, Prayer Points for Mothers, and Scriptures to Pray for Fathers.
